Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt Is Still The Whiz
Yesterday the Arizona Cardinals season continued to plummet. Little went right in an important game against the San Diego Chargers. The Cardinals could have taken a significant lead in the NFC West with a win. Instead they're tied for first place, and while a 2-2 record looks okay from the outside, it's far from it.
If you have that uneasy feeling about the team and the season, don't worry, you aren't alone. The Cardinals defense hasn't been able to force a stop and the offense doesn't have an identity, let alone a quarterback. This season the Cardinals have been out-scored 58-118 -- an incredible difference in points. Escaping with two wins with that point margin has been a miracle at that. Things aren't looking up in a division that's open for the taking.
I'm not jumping ship, but speaking the truth. Many of you have already began to blame head coach Ken Whisenhunt for the team's issues. He's made mistakes this season -- there's little doubt about that. Benching and cutting Matt Leinart didn't sit well with many Cardinals fans. Now with Derek Anderson showing his true colors or continuous colors, many are left wondering what Leinart could've done with the same opportunities that Anderson has had. Regardless, Whisenhunt's decision has been made. Matt won't be returning to the Cardinals anytime soon and Anderson won't stay the starter much longer. Who's to even say that Leinart would've experienced success? He didn't prove anything through the preseason. You could argue that he did little during his entire career. I'll admit that having him as an option right now would be nice, but that ship has sailed.
It wasn't just the loss of Leinart that hurt the team. Warner retired with a year left on his hefty contract. Anquan Boldin wanted out and wasn't taking no for an answer. Antrel Rolle and Karlos Dansby took the same paychecks with different teams. Keeping those players was a task that was too much to ask. In the end, Whisenhunt built this team. He lobbied for certain players and drafted others that fit his style. Some haven't worked out and some have. Teams make mistakes, and far too often they are blamed on the head coaches.
Remember that Ken Whisenhunt doesn't control the defense -- that's up to Bill Davis, and the defense has been atrocious. Davis won't have a job much longer if he doesn't adjust to opposing offenses. Chargers tight end Antonio Gates was given a free pass to roam the field on Sunday, which didn't help Adrian Wilson, who has notoriously struggled covering tight ends. Davis failed to make an adjustment at the half to account for Gates. He also failed to adjust to the Chargers rushing attack. Running back Mike Tolbert reached the 100-yard mark, often plowing through Cardinals' defenders. Had the game been closer, his stats may have ballooned higher. The defense hasn't been able to generate stops on third down or pressure the quarterback as well. What Bill Davis is or isn't doing is not working and hasn't been. If he doesn't make a dramatic change, someone else will.
I won't get started on the cries for Clancy Pendergast either. If you want him back that bad, send him some fan mail. He's no longer coaching in the NFL and would probably like to return if a team was crazy enough to take a chance on him.
So where does this fall on Whisenhunt's shoulders? I'll give you that he hasn't exactly mixed things up on offense. He's calling the plays. He knows how to call plays. But I haven't seen the same gadget plays that Whisenhunt likes to normally use. It could just factor down to him not trusting his offense. At some point he needs to take chances though. When the Cardinals are down 21 points at the half, something's got to give. A trick play or bomb to Larry Fitzgerald needs to be drawn up. To me however, that's not enough to call for his head.
The claims that Kurt Warner was the reason for success the last three seasons astonish me. Don't get me wrong -- Kurt was great and did everything for the Cardinals that he could. But don't forget that he was here since 2005 and couldn't beat out Matt Leinart until a he suffered a broken collarbone. Before that time, he was a ticking time bomb waiting to fumble the football. Whisenhunt righted the ship in 2007 and figured out a way to win with a Hall of Fame quarterback -- something the Rams couldn't do towards the end of Warner's career in St. Louis, and something the Giants couldn't figure out either. You can even say that Dennis Green failed to use Warner right. Let's give Whisenhunt credit where credit is due. He's still the head coach and isn't going anywhere. Let's cool this so-called "hot seat" that he's sitting on.
Expecting a dynasty out of the Cardinals with Ken Whisenhunt as the head coach sounds a bit ridiculous. Heck --dynasty and Cardinals in the same sentence sounds ridiculous too. We all should of expected an eventual losing season at some point. It's a matter of how quick the Cardinals can bounce back and get back to winning that's important. If that time never comes, then we can discuss Whisenhunt's job-security. For now, he's the head coach that showed us what a winning season in Arizona looked like, and he has the Cardinals currently sitting in first place despite the poor play. In my mind, he's still the Whiz.
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Much like Coach Whiz
I didn’t comment last night because I didn’t want to post an emotional rant.
This preseason I was upset over the Leinart/Anderson controversy. But I often commented that Whiz is the best coach the Cards have ever had. I trusted his judgement.
I still do—but—it’s not absolute anymore.
Having Leinart here might have made a difference in that we could have run more and kept drives going with some accurate short passes…but that’s not a certainty. I think the QB situation in the preseason might have a personality thing. If that is truly the case, then someone (Michael Bidwill or Rod Graves) needs to step in right now and talk to Whiz about Bill Davis.
The biggest problem we have is not at QB. It’s the Defense. Davis is Whisenhunt’s hand picked D coordinator. I don’t expect him to fire his good friend. But the defense has given up 40 plus points twice this year and in both playoff games last year. (4 of last 6 games).
The 2 games we won during this stretch were iffy too. Mark Clayton dropped a TD catch(in the opener) and the Raiders gave us a gift missing 3 FG’s (out of 6 attempts). That means the Raiders had 9 scoring opportunities. I repeat—THE RAIDERS HAD 9 SCORING OPPORTUNITIES…but we won because as it happens—the Raiders are more pathetic than we are.
Every possession against us is predictable. Too often we blitz 6 or 7 guys, get some (but not nearly enough) pressure and give up give plays. Why? We have a probowler on the D Line. Campbell is also a very good player. How often do we need to send 2 linebackers (Porter & Haggans) and 2 safties? (A-Dub & Rhodes). The job of the safties should be to prevent big plays (safety—get it—keep things safe). Davis just doesn’t get!!!
So much for me not ranting.
No more night. I have seen the light. Let it shine on bright.
HANG HIM HIGHER!!!
by Cuckoo for Coco Puffs on Oct 4, 2010 6:54 AM MDT reply actions
Today's number is 9
THE RAIDERS HAD 9 SCORING OPPORTUNITIES
THE CHARGERS HAD 9 SACKS
Your 9 number is probably a little worse, though.
by Jim Coughenour on Oct 4, 2010 12:48 PM MDT up reply actions
its a what have you done for me lately league no doubt about it
do you know how many times Greg Williams had to taste failure, and ridicule from fans for ‘supposedly being a great defensive coach’ whose teams didn’t live up to the hype? in more than one city for more than one team too.
Now look at what the Saints defense was able to do last year. back to being a hero.
if the Saints can’t get deep into the playoffs this year = he will be a scapegoat once more.
Its a pretty easy formula
http://www.reverbnation.com/chrisfarmer
losing Leinart didn't hurt the team
In the long run its a huge help … nobody in that lockeroom was behind Matt, and Whiz should have made the move earlier
Whisenhunt’s shoulders? Its his job to prepare this team, and he didn’t get it done (or he has yet to get it done this year) … its not as if the Cards have been prepared and lost tough, close, games … they are getting their butts kicked, and if they continues to do so he will lose the respect of the fans … there is just no way around it
I mean … we can talk about mistakes on offense, bad calls, and how poorly DA has played … but how can you not cover A. Gates when you’re playing the Bolts? … Its a real head scratcher, and I dunno if you can blame the players when they are set up to fail (no LB in the league can stay with Gates)
It's Whisenhunt's team now
Decided to call plays himself & not have an offensive coordinator after losing Haley. Fired Pendergast. Mishandled & lost Q & Matt. Offensive & defensive play calling is completely predictable. Too many mental errors & penalties. All of that is based on his decision making. It’s his baby & he needs to take better care of it.
Q
That situation should land more on Rod Graves, the Bidwells and Q himself as it was all centered around his contract. The rest I pretty much agree with. I’ve been concerned with the OC position since Haley left. The run game / pass game coordinator thing doesn’t sit right with me. As for Bill Davis, he’s not shown much and is running out his rope. Don’t see ditching Pendergast as a problem, just not thrilled with what his replacement has accomplished.
I'm sorry, but coaching is the problem.
Aside from the QB, there is a lot of talent on this team.
The defensive line, with DD and CC, was manhandled. I don’t know how many times they were pushed back. With what should be a good secondary, the coverage was consistently mediocre or worse. I was hoping the stops in the second half last week showed they had figured it out, but that was just a mirage caused by an Oakland team that knows how to lose. They are too good to be this bad and that’s on Davis and Whisenhunt.
The offense is no better. The line may not be the most talented, but it was open season all game. I’m not letting DA off the hook because his second interception had nothing to do with protection or coverage. That was all him and it was the worst pass I’ve seen in a while. He locked on his receiver from the start, stared him down and threw to a completely covered receiver. Do I think Leinert would have done better? Of course. Not because he’s necessarily a good quarterback, but he does go through his progressions.
This is all on the coaches. I’m not saying I’m giving up yet, on the Cardinals or Whisenhunt. They have the luxury of being in one of the worst (if not THE worst) division so have more room for error than most teams. They also have a relatively easy schedule, so they have an opportunity to improve and still make the playoffs, even with a 2-3 start. (The Saints haven’t looked great, but…) But Whiz and Grimm and Davis need to figure this team out. Or it’s going to be a long season.
by psknapp on Oct 4, 2010 9:46 AM MDT reply actions 2 recs
Oh no doubt its on the coaches. Bill Davis in particular.
But my point is that it’s waay too early to want Whisenhunt out of AZ.
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
Something's wrong with the game plans..
we seem to be getting out-coached each week.
I don’t know what it is, but I’m very concerned. Agreed that the talent is there. I think from a personnel perspective, they did a pretty good job plugging holes (Rhodes for Rolle, Lenon for Dansby – I know he’s not Dansby, but I think he’s filled in admirably). So the talent is there. I just don’t get it.
Thank you Andrew
A quick history lesson to refresh our memories of how hard it is to win here. Buddy Ryan, the architect of the arguably the greatest defense ever comes here and goes 8-8 and 4-12. Dennis Green goes from 97-62 at Minnesota to 16-32 in Arizona. Since arriving here in 1988 we’ve had eight head coaches and a grand total of one has a winning record. Yes, our play can be incredibly frustrating but calling for a change at head coach is the most ridiculous thing being said right now (granted, it’s mostly the bandwagon jumpers infecting this site during our slow start calling for it).
He’s a winner, he was the OC on a Super Bowl winning team (for those who want to give Haley all the credit here – it was the Whiz who groomed him into the play calling duties). He’s taken us, of all franchises, to consecutive playoff appearances and was one play away from pulling off a near miracle. Even Kurt Warner had to repeat the phrase, “the Cardinals are in the Super Bowl.” Even as bad as things are right now, we’re still tied for first in a very winnable division. He’s proven an ability to get things turned around when they’ve looked really bleak, so I think he’s earned a little leeway from the fan base until he gets this puzzle figured out.
whiz is a good coach
but this is the NFL, memories are short, and if the team looks this bad at the end of the year hes going to be on the hot seat … theres just no way around it
I’m disappointed that this team has yet to ‘find its identity’, and in my mind thats on the coaching staff … its one thing to know you’re not very good and play your ass off, its another to think you’re better than your are and blame mistakes … and I for one am humbled by how bad the Cards look
… I’d like to see Hall play well too, what a great story … but damned if he didn’t have the ‘deer in the headlights’ look when he came into the game … poor kid looked scared, not like he belonged
it’s a bummer, and I hope whiz can turn things around … but I’m preparing myself for heartache
by quid pro quo on Oct 4, 2010 10:40 AM MDT up reply actions
What you say is the truth
all I’m saying is there wasn’t a whole bunch of praise being heaped on us after our 3-game run in 2008 against the Eagles, Vikings, and Patriots, or last year after Green Bay beat our head in twice and on both occasions he got things turned around. We look awful right now, no sugar coating that, but it’s not uncharted territory.
by Long Beach on Oct 4, 2010 11:03 AM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
the Steeler knuckle draggers will be back
to remind us that they made the right decision and we suck … I hope whiz turns this around and sticks it right in their ass
that is all
by quid pro quo on Oct 4, 2010 11:12 AM MDT up reply actions
In Whiz we TRust!!
get off the bandwagon already….
The Senile One won't like this
Good post.
I’ll have something up about DA later today.
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team(s), throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.
by JoeCB1991 on Oct 4, 2010 11:42 AM MDT via mobile reply actions
I'm still waiting for AZ Retiree's next rant on why Whiz should be fired
I can’t argue that the coaching has been suspect, as I think its obvious that a change needs to be made. This team is far too talented to be playing this poorly. We very easily could be 0-4 right now, with two of those losses being blow-outs. Our defense has 3-4 potential Pro-bowlers if they are in a system that works, but it doesn’t. Our offense can’t score points and our D operates like a sieve more than I have ever seen from this team. I don’t think we can chalk this up to “losing guys in the off-season”. Aside from the QB position, we have replaced those losses with some talented players. So what gives? I know being a fan I don’t see the “whole” picture, but I find myself wondering if our coaching staff even does. That being said, I think a coaching change is due, but not necessarily at the top. If he can’t see that our D is a huge problem, and doesn’t make that change or at least get the scheme working properly in a few weeks, then I might be right there with AZ Retiree. However, its week 4. We are 2-2. Hopefully Hall keeps getting a shot, DA is a proven bad QB at this level aside from 2007, which I think we can chalk up as a fluke year at this point.
Hi guys!
Sorry I’m late but the attendants had me sedated before half time.
That new QB that Whiz put in? I was watching low lights on ESPN, when I came to and I saw this little guy trying to run away from a bunch of Chargers, then I realized we had a new QB! Same results, but at least this guy is much smaller and we can have the excuse that he could not see his receivers because the D-Line was too tall.
Thank goodness he was used as a pocket passer. Being young, small, athletic and in motion just would not work with our offensive scheme. It’s kind of cute to watch him squirm in the pocket getting ready for the impending impact of the tall timber crashing down on him.
I’m not going to take the Cards seriously as NFL playoff material. I want to enjoy the game, so I will laugh at the looney toons until things change. I no longer care if it starts at the top or if the skinny brunette cheerleader gets fired first. I am choosing to sit in the Arizona cheering section, paper bag over my head with tears drawn under the eye holes, alah “The Aints”. This way I kind of feel like I’m in on the joke. Arizona Cardinals 2010—-get it? We are really in for some fun this season. I hope it continues for many seasons to come, that is unless this franchise chooses to get serious about getting back into the playoffs.
I would rather cheer for a winning NFL team, but until that happens——?
by Arizona Retiree on Oct 4, 2010 9:27 PM MDT up reply actions
Speaking of cheerleaders
Is it just me or do the Cardinals cheerleaders not stack up against the rest of the league?
Cardinals are going to kick the Saints ass next weekend
Man the Cardinal “FANS” sure are a bunch of quiters with short memories, thats worse than the loss to the Chargers.
Not so much quitters...
But I had to turn off the game, it was painful to watch. Two blow-outs in 3 weeks. An inefficient offense, and an even more inefficient Defense. I would say worried/disappointed more so than quitters. But I will still be at the UOP cheering, just hope that we have SOMETHING to cheer about.
+1 for the optimism
but people aren’t quitters. Nothing wrong with wanting your team to do good, and questioning players and coaches when they screw up….and let’s face it…we haven’t seen a good regular season game yet…..
Hey you!
Wake up dude! You are Whizing all over yourself!
by Arizona Retiree on Oct 4, 2010 9:31 PM MDT up reply actions
No way Whisenhunt should be fired for this season
At least based on the QB situation. Everyone knew this was going to be a transitory season once Warner retired.
Besides, who are Cardinals going to hire if they fire Whisenhunt? If they have to eat Whisenhunt’s fat new extension, I’m worried about who they’d go out and hire next.
Bloggin' 'bout AZ sports ... SB Nation Arizona
Don't fire "The Whiz"!
Let him keep his contract and demote him to offensive coordinator. Scan the assistant coaches and Cardinals executives for a replacement until we come up with the right guy. This way Whiz still has a job and can keep his family living in the style they have become accustomed to.
by Arizona Retiree on Oct 4, 2010 9:39 PM MDT up reply actions
Whisenhunt is in a position of scrutiny
He’s a big boy, so I’m sure he can take the criticism. When a team succeeds the coach gets the credit, when a team is a greasefire the coach gets the blame.
The QB debacle – Whisenhunt and the Cardinals front office had three years of Leinart sitting behind Warner to evaluate whether Leinart would be an adequate successor. Whisenhunt waited until weeks before the season to finish his evaluation. That is what was unacceptable about the QB fiasco. If Leinart wasn’t going to be the starting QB, he should never have been on the roster to start training camp. Even if the Cardinals were interested in sifting through the dumpster behind the Browns’ stadium for Anderson they could have at least had another player in place to conduct a real competition instead of the farcical display Cardinals’ fans were subjected to. Good teams don’t stay good by cutting first round draft picks and getting nothing in return. Pathetically mishandled from every angle. It doesn’t matter if Anderson beat Leinart or not. That would still mean that Anderson was the best the Cardinals could come up with.
I question the way a coach is preparing his players and the game plan when his team is getting their teeth kicked in on a regular basis by quality opponents. Whisenhunt’s teams over the last couple years have shared the frustrating quality of spotting opponents 20 or 30 points to start games. Somebody needs to tell these guys they only get one bye week per year.
Whisenhunt said he wanted to play defense and run the ball. The Cardinals still can’t do either. Maybe he’s waiting until year 5 to incorporate these into his game plan. Although the runnning game might be better if they weren’t down by 3 or 4 touchdowns by halftime every other game.
He’s not even aware of his own team’s deficiencies. Remember when Whiz said his second team O-line was better than some teams starters. Wrong again! Shoring up the defense… Doh! Is he watching the same guys in practice as I am? Because the guy I’m watching suck ass.
I also think that Whiz comes off as smug and arrogant at times, and thinks he is smarter than everyone else. A Belichick streak maybe. Without the Belichick background. People will tend to jump on that type of personality when they see a weakness. Kind of like I’m doing right now…
Whisenhunt lost that Super Bowl. The guy the Steelers chose over him beat him. And even if he had won, which he didn’t, that doesn’t really buy a coach a whole lot of time once things start rolling downhill.
With all this being said, Whisenhunt’s job shouldn’t be in question until at least the end of next year, and that’s only if things spiral out of control and are still there next year. Something like a couple of 6-10s or 5-11s. He’s earned himself that much. He might look like an idiot right now, but things like that can change really quick.
Oh yeah, Drew Brees is SO starting on my fantasy team this week. Maybe not that quick.
by Jim Coughenour on Oct 4, 2010 12:44 PM MDT reply actions 2 recs
great comments....
pretty much my sentiments. Now I don’t have to rant on my own….
But I can’t agree with starting Brees. Bench him!!….Can’t go fantasy over my team!! :)
Well said.
I thought you wrote a very good post, up until the last paragraph where you reserrect the HC for years to come. Kinda like “Freddy” except that we must endure his carnage from week to week not year to year. Too painful for most football fans.
by Arizona Retiree on Oct 4, 2010 9:48 PM MDT up reply actions
Relax...
Maybe it’s because I have been a Cardinal fan since the ‘70s that I have a different perspective, but y’all need to relax. The best possible scenarios for this year had the Cards at .500. Whiz does a fine job and is our best HC since Coryell. Is he perfect? No. He mishandled the Leinart/DA fiasco, he is too loyal to Davis, and he spews too much optimism during conferences, but jeez, chill. 2-2 after 4 games is as good as anyone could have hoped for…don’t get caught up on ‘style’ points.
Side note, start Hall now. DA isn’t the answer. Hall may not be either. But better to find out now.
by Roy Green was here on Oct 4, 2010 1:46 PM MDT reply actions 2 recs
I've also been a fan since the 70's
and I’ve been forever tortured by it. I’ve suffered through every losing season, every lousy draft pick, and everyone I know killing me over it since my early childhood.
In the last 3 years, there’s been reason to be optimistic that things have gotten better. That the Cards wouldn’t be the worst pro sports franchise in the world (they’re still a close 2nd to the Clippers).
I find it hard to believe that Whiz was “lucky” that Warner reawakened to his previous HOF caliber play. I’m sure his coaching had something to with that. But even if he was, Warner couldn’t save this team this year.
Our biggest problem is defense. There are at least 4 probowl talented players on this team.(Dd/CC/Adub/DRC) and Rhodes has been a probowler as well as Porter. There are also our top 2 draft picks. With this much talent, teams shouldn’t be able to score in the 40’s. Or as I posted earlier—have 9 scoring opportunities (raiders).
If Whiz’ ego is too big for him see that Davis is not doing the job then Michael Bidwill or Rod Graves have to step in and talk to him about it and make him see reason.
No more night. I have seen the light. Let it shine on bright.
HANG HIM HIGHER!!!
by Cuckoo for Coco Puffs on Oct 4, 2010 7:27 PM MDT reply actions
In Whiz we trust!!!LOL
I am not looking forward to go to NO game this Sunday if DA is playing. Let’s throw Hall to the wolves and hope for the best. Can’t bear watching DA plays anymore.
Telescope?
I hope they get the kid a stool so he can sit at the big boy’s table. They may have to add a phone book to the stool so he can see what is really going on.
They should really come up with an offense designed around his size and abilities.
by Arizona Retiree on Oct 4, 2010 9:54 PM MDT up reply actions
C'mon Max Hall is not Doug Flutie.
Hall is listed at 6’1" 205lbs. There are plenty of QBs in the league around his size. For a start…
Drew Brees 6’0" 209
Tony Romo 6’2" 223
Donovan McNabb 6’2" 240
Michael Vick 6’0" 215
Mark Sanchez 6’2" 225
Seneca Wallace 5’11" 205
Charlie Batch 6’2" 215
Jimmy Clausen 6’2" 222
Brett Favre 6’2" 222
David Garrard 6’1" 236
Bruce Gradkowski 6’1" 220
yeah but he does look like a peanut back there compared to DA
AND i bet that 6’1 is generous.
So does Drew Brees.
Hey, I don’t care if the guy has to wear platform shoes to play in as long as he gets the job done. I just wanted to point out that his height is not an anomaly. The nfl is trending toward taller QBs (obviously in correlation to taller linemen) but still a third of the starters are around the same height as Hall.
He did when I was at training camp
Just looking at him next to 3 guys who were 6’5" made him look short.
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team(s), throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.
Hall not tall
Those other guys have people protecting them. Hall is too short to see over the defensive line if they are only three feet in front of him. If the cardinal line had the ability to hold their blocks for two ticks it should not be major problem, but again, he is not Warner. This offense still looks as if Warner is missing. Kurt learned in Arena football how to read defenses and quick pitch to his receivers and keep the defensive line guessing wether or not to get hands up to block a short pass. Hall does not have that type of experience.
The Cards need a offensive scheme designed especially for this kid not Warner.
They do need to scheme around the current QB whomever that is.
Those other guys are 1/3 of the starters in the nfl and not all of them are playing behind stellar offensive lines. Dallas in particular has been noted for it’s lousy offensive line this season. Also Hall doesn’t have the Arena league experience true, but that’s hardly something to point to as giving Warner an advantage. Warner excelled because he had the will, the skills and the mental acumen to succeed. I’d argue that the advantage is Hall’s in skipping the arena and going directly to the nfl. What greater opportunity could an undrafted rookie QB get than the one he has in front of him? (Yeah he could be playing on a team that looks like it could win a game but we wouldn’t be having this conversation if that was the case.)
They need to move him around like the Saints do with Brees
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team(s), throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.






















