Arizona Cardinals QB Coach Chris Miller Will Not Be Back In Arizona

by Alex Mann on Jan 9, 2012 7:10 PM MST in NFL Offseason/Free Agency

In news that no one found as a surprise, the Cardinals have fired one of their coaches. The team hasn't officially announced it, but multiple league sources have let slip that QB coach Chris Miller, will not return for the 2012 campaign. This does nothing other than to say that the likelihood of former OC Todd Haley will return to Arizona. I'll have more news when the Cardinals officially announce it, but for now, hit the jump to get some more information.

We were all expecting a spot to open up on the coaching staff for our former OC, we just didn't know who the unlucky person would be. Well tonight we found out. A story recently released by NFL Writer, Jason La Canfora, says that the Cardinals let Chris Miller know he was not going to come back for the 2012 season. Now it isn't for certain that Haley would get his former spot back, but Mike Miller is more than likely going to get his fathers spot.

Chris Miller was a QB for the Denver Broncos, Atlanta Falcons, and played for the Ducks at the collegiate level. I see him as a Kevin Kolb type QB, concussion prone. He suffered five concussions in a span of 14 months, and during his 1999 run with the Broncos made him retire early.

It's not immediately clear what title Haley would hold on the Cardinals staff. The team hasn't announced Miller won't be back, and Mike Miller, who just completed his fifth season with the team, is currently the offensive coordinator. The Cardinals have two inexperienced quarterbacks in Kevin Kolb and John Skelton, who finished the season as the starter after Kolb's concussion ended an injury-plagued season. The Cardinals could be looking for a more experienced coach to get the most out of Kolb, who the team acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles during the offseason for cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a 2012 second-round pick and immediately signed to a five-year, $64.5 million deal. The Cardinals can only go up from here after building what I believe an exceptionally talented coaching staff. Haley as our possible OC, Horton as our DC, Whiz as our HC.

Poll

Does adding Todd Haley to our coaching staff upgrade this team?

Yes

167 votes

No

13 votes

180 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 19 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

So incredibly excited!

Our offense was sooo boring this year. Haley is going to give us some unpredictability and big plays. Hopefully he can kick Kolb in the butt, hard.

by AlaskanCard on Jan 9, 2012 7:16 PM MST reply actions

Careful

he might get a concussion if you do that

by snarrfsnarrf on Jan 9, 2012 8:04 PM MST up reply actions

Thundercats much?

When life gives you lemons... Bag them up and sell them. Fruit can be expensive these days.

by hevchv on Jan 9, 2012 8:18 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

hahaha

I’m a Kolb supporter and even I find that comment funny as hell!

Sorry folks, park's closed. Moose out front shoulda told ya.

by Ghettoboxx on Jan 10, 2012 6:09 AM MST via mobile up reply actions

Bring on mr Haley!

Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan
Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Coyotes, Arizona Rattlers fan
[I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].

Leading the NFL in swagtangibles

by JoeCB1991 on Jan 9, 2012 8:17 PM MST via mobile reply actions

Only upgrade Haley bring is that he good at getting the best from his WR.

by McCollum, Travis on Jan 9, 2012 8:26 PM MST reply actions

I like the idea of a true OC. I’m sure most Cardinal fans agree given the outcry for one the past couple off seasons. I really like the idea of the “package deal” I read on hear with Sparano coordinating the running game. Bush rejuvenated his stock in Miami. I’m all for getting quality coaches to help our young team especially on offense

by defense_dad on Jan 9, 2012 8:39 PM MST via iPhone app reply actions

NO QB COACH?

HI-RE KURT! HI-RE KURT! HI-RE KURT! WARNER! (wishful thinking)

by NATIVEWOOD on Jan 9, 2012 8:40 PM MST reply actions

One thing about Haley

He actually creates plays on the fly. He uses plays writes on a airplane napkin. Miller not sure if Miller ran plays or created them as well.

by NATIVEWOOD on Jan 9, 2012 8:43 PM MST reply actions

As long as Haley doesn't just dip on us

Then I am all for this hire. I do know it makes us better.

"If Gortat pulls off a real Dream Shake in-game this year I will shave my head.
Mark my words." Piotr Szczesniak 12/12/11 2:12 PM
Cardinals, Suns, D-backs for life!

by Airwave on Jan 9, 2012 9:02 PM MST reply actions

Haley has to rebuild his coaching profile a bit...

…after his tumultuous three seasons in KC. He will help the Cardinals but for how long is the question. If the Cardinals do well next year, he’s one and done as he will be a hot HC candidate again. If the Cards tread water he will last as long as Coach Whisenhunt which has varied from indefinite to fire him now over the course of the past couple seasons. I hope the Cards can get him back in and I hope he sticks it out for a couple seasons regardless. He’s seen the AFC East this year so has some “fresh” experience with those squads and can help the Cards when it’s time to trudge back to Foxboro and New Jersey.

Don't waste time or Time will waste you.

by Hawkwind on Jan 9, 2012 9:10 PM MST reply actions

Well it was more like 2 seasons...

He had a good coaching season last year. The chiefs were dumb to let him go this year, he lose key players all over the field and it’s hard to overcome those losses.

by Alex Mann on Jan 9, 2012 9:31 PM MST up reply actions

That is not what I would call it at all....

What was he supposed to do this year? His star RB and his QB were out for the season. They lost E Berry as well…. Lots of injuries. To me it was also about the friction between Haley and the Chiefs FO.

"If Gortat pulls off a real Dream Shake in-game this year I will shave my head.
Mark my words." Piotr Szczesniak 12/12/11 2:12 PM
Cardinals, Suns, D-backs for life!

by Airwave on Jan 9, 2012 10:35 PM MST up reply actions

Agreed

They even thought about firing him after the playoff loss last year IIRC

Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan
Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Coyotes, Arizona Rattlers fan
[I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].

Leading the NFL in swagtangibles

by JoeCB1991 on Jan 9, 2012 10:52 PM MST up reply actions

I think he’ll stick around due to him having some issues as a HC. If the Cards get consistent……..we’ll be looking for a new OC in 3 years

by defense_dad on Jan 10, 2012 8:42 AM MST via iPhone app up reply actions

Miller's

a loss. He improved a 5th round pick QB from a Div 2 school into a slightly below average QB. That’s not just a throwaway.

by KDean75 on Jan 10, 2012 7:22 AM MST reply actions

I have been wondering ...

What makes Mike Miller qualified to be an NFL offensive coordinator, anyway? Other than fans complaining about bad play calling, nobody really seems to talk about who the heck this guy is, what his strengths are, his coaching style, the kind of offense he likes to run—anything.

From what I can find, this is a guy who never played football beyond playing backup quarterback for his high school JV team. He worked really hard as an intern to get his foot in the door until he finally got a position as an assistant helping the Steelers break down videotape. Before coming to the Cardinals, his most extensive experience coaching players was two years as tight ends coach for the Bills and a brief stint coaching quarterbacks, receivers, and defensive linemen in NFL Europa.

Who is this guy, as a coach? What is his area of expertise? If Mike Miller eventually proves himself as a great coach, his story is a really nice one. But until that happens, it’s just a head scratcher.