Arizona Cardinals
Team Leader
Coaching candidates to replace Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon
Source: https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/a...ndidates-to-replace-cardinals-jonathan-gannon
Yeah, it has come to this.
We all knew this day would come.
It’s just time.
The Arizona Cardinals did not just lose to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday; they were eliminated from any playoff contention in the 20-17 loss. Keep in mind, the team has five games remaining.
The offense is a roller coaster. Dropped balls are a constant. The offensive line struggles mightily. No running game. The defense is on the field so much that they just crash and burn in the final stages.
RELATED: CARDINALS OFFICIALLY ELIMINATED FROM PLAYOFFS
The Cardinals are now 3-9-0. It’s time. No more waiting around for this ship to right itself, despite five games left on the calendar.
Time to move on from head coach Jonathan Gannon.
The realization is that the Cardinals’ front office wanted to give him three years, but have regressed this year, staring down at 10+ losses. Getting beaten in double-digit games isn’t an issue in hockey, or soccer, or really, any other sport. But since football only plays 17 games, well, you get the point.
This is Gannon’s third season. Yes, he was 4-13-0 in his first year, followed by 8-9-0 last season. That all indicates that this season should have increased to a 10-win season, if not higher. That is how three-year rebuilds work. Everyone understands a horrible first season followed by a year that displays improvement. But by the third year, the franchise should be in the postseason. Instead of double-digit wins, it is inevitable that the season will end with double-digit losses.
That is not in the three-year plan.
But there are so many things wrong with this ballclub that cannot, and will not, and have not been corrected.
Let’s just end it. Please.
For those of us who have met Gannon, he is a great guy. Very personable, nice, calm, pleasant, well-spoken, and obviously intelligent. A very good football man with an emphasis on defense. We all like Gannon the person. It’s nothing personal – just business.
And the business of Arizona Cardinals football isn’t pretty.
Fans hate that he shows minimal emotion during games while on the sideline. That is just who he is. He is very chill, and things do not rattle him. He is the Jalen Hurts of NFL coaches – calm, reserved, studious.
Does he have a passion for the game? Of course. Does he get upset with players who make dumb mistakes? Yes indeed, but not in front of God and everyone. He is a person who takes his grievances and closes the door to address his concerns.
The players love him. He is viewed as a player’s coach.
But plainly put: his offense sucks. That side of the ball has zero ability to adjust to the opponent’s defensive adjustments. In his press conferences, his continual reference that “we will learn from it” or “it’s on me” has gotten stale.
Rarely is there any accountability for mistakes.
And the quarterback situation just never gets solved. It just seems to always be the next new guy.
Yes, the offensive line has been a mess. We all know the offense will only go as far as the offensive line will take them. But nobody can predict – or halt – injuries, and it has been an ongoing battle all season, just like last year. Arizona has used four different offensive line groupings so far this year.
We all know how this season will end. Let’s just get this over with.
Here is a short list of qualified candidates to replace Gannon (in no particular order).
Jesse Minter
Age: 42
DC Los Angeles Chargers
This choice works because Minter understands how to best complement an offense.
The Chargers are playing really well on defense this season. They rank #2 in pass defense and #12 in rushing defense. They are tied for second place in fewest passing touchdowns with 12.
Minter worked with the Baltimore Ravens organization, which always has a stiff defense, then worked for another Harbaugh by going to Michigan, where he won a National Championship.
He is the guy to get Arizona back to Red Sea core identity. He has enough youth to grow with the roster but has enough experience to actually run the team. A steady hand with real defensive chops who can mold this Cardinals defense.
Joe Brady
Age: 36
OC Buffalo Bills
The Bills feature a balanced attack and, of course, have a very good quarterback to run it. That makes Brady look good. But Brady knows offense and how to correct situations.
He tends to use heavy personnel packages to gain a physical advantage. This may mean the offensive line might need to go through some changes, and either select some new guys early in the draft, make a trade or two, or be busy participants in free agency with a focus on the line. One of Brady’s traits is the use of motion to be able to confuse defenses with different formations.
He is adept at creating mismatches where the offense can run the ball when the defense will use fewer bodies in the box with receiver spreads. Brady also likes quick-read plays and uses his tight ends and slot receiver quite a bit. Currently, the Bills are the #1 rushing team in the league.
Jim Bob Cooter
Age: 41
OC Indianapolis Colts
The Colts have exploded on offense this season, and yes, have finally found a suitable quarterback who can run the ball when needed. Cooter has been a QB and a RB coach for different teams, so he knows how groupings work. He is also a former college quarterback.
One word to describe Cooter: meticulous. On gameday, he is prepared. He likes to spread the ball around and uses the run more than most. That works when you have a bellcow, which the Colts do in Jonathan Taylor, and so do the Cardinals if James Conner returns. But Taylor was almost an afterthought in this Indy offense until Cooter showed up.
Cooter includes elements such as the Zone Read and also the Power-Run option for his quarterback, which has brought flexibility to the Indianapolis offense. He prefers shorter, safer passes and is creative with play calls. And most importantly, he recognizes the talents of his players and adapts plays to fit their strengths.
Jim Schwartz
Age: 59
DC Cleveland Browns
This hire makes the most sense. Everywhere Schwartz has coached, he has taken the defense to new heights. Just feed him a steady diet of capable defenders and watch the transformation. Players love him, although he doesn’t take any crap.
Cleveland may fire their head coach, and Schwartz just might slide into that opening where he already has a superstar defender in Myles Garrett. Everyone knows that Garrett is a great player, but under Schwartz’s tutelage he has been named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year and is a lock to gain his second achievement this year.
Schwartz has converted every defense everywhere he has been employed. He already has head coaching experience when he was head coach of the Detroit Lions from 2009-2013. They went to the playoffs a single season after going 10-6-0.
This season, Cleveland ranks #3 in pass defense and #10 against the run. They have allowed the third fewest rushing touchdowns (7) and only 18 passing scores. Stingy on converting first downs via the pass (#5) and the run (#6).
His defenses are known for being an aggressive, attacking style that places pressure on the quarterback. Schwartz will attack gaps, and his cornerbacks use man coverage, which frees up the linebackers to make tackles in the run game and provide coverage to tight ends and running backs. In 2023, the Browns’ defense was ranked #1.
Source: https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/a...ndidates-to-replace-cardinals-jonathan-gannon