Revenge of the Birds - Steve Keim, Bruce Arians now lead the CardinalsAn Arizona Cardinals community -- the best one there ishttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51297/rotb_fav.png2013-01-17T21:31:00-07:00http://www.revengeofthebirds.com/rss/stream/35846672013-01-17T21:31:00-07:002013-01-17T21:31:00-07:00Cardinals hire Bruce Arians
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<p>The Cardinals have their man, announcing the hire of Bruce Arians as the team's new head coach. </p> <p>It looks like the <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Cardinals</a> have finally decided who will be at the helm of their team heading into the 2013 season. <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/292078228884045825">Bruce Arians was offered the position of head coach</a> out in the desert, and the team confirmed on Thursday night that the Arians hire is official.</p>
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<p>The @<a href="https://twitter.com/azcardinals">azcardinals</a> have named Bruce Arians as their new head coach.<a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23AZCards">#AZCards</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23nfl">#nfl</a></p>
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) <a href="https://twitter.com/AZCardinals/status/292096776142458880" data-datetime="2013-01-18T02:31:12+00:00">January 18, 2013</a>
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<p>New @<a href="https://twitter.com/azcardinals">azcardinals</a> HC Bruce Arians takes congratulatory call from @<a href="https://twitter.com/larryfitzgerald">larryfitzgerald</a> in Belize <a href="http://t.co/BLJm9O35" title="http://twitpic.com/bw3ldp">twitpic.com/bw3ldp</a></p>
— MarkDalton (@CardsMarkD) <a href="https://twitter.com/CardsMarkD/status/292097454499840000" data-datetime="2013-01-18T02:33:54+00:00">January 18, 2013</a>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/292080477509132288">Adam Schefter notes</a> it's a four-year contract with a team option for a fifth year.</p>
<p>Arians took over for Chuck Pagano this year in his first season as offensive coordinator with the <a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Indianapolis Colts</a>. He fared well as interim head coach, leading rookie quarterback <span>Andrew Luck</span> and a team that was counted out well before the season began to a playoff birth and an 11-5 record.</p>
<p>Assuming everything goes as planned, this will be Arians first stint as a head coach in the NFL. He served with several different franchises throughout his lengthy career, but never as the man in charge of any team.</p>
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https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2013/1/17/3888824/bruce-arians-hired-cardinals-reportSB Nation NFL2013-01-17T10:00:09-07:002013-01-17T10:00:09-07:00ESPN's Clayton tabs Gruden as likely Cards coach
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<figcaption>Frank Victores-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>ESPN insider John Clayton believes Jay Gruden will end up being the guy for the Arizona Cardinals. </p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Cardinals</a> finished up their first interview with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell yesterday and by all indications, things went well. They are also set to interview Bruce Arians, the assistant coach of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Colts</a>, on Thursday. But that hardly makes either one of them a lock to get the job. In fact, ESPN insider John Clayton thinks it will end up being someone they already interviewed.</p>
<p><a href="http://arizonasports.com/?sid=1602617&nid=40" target="_blank">Clayton told Arizona Sports 620</a> that he thinks <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.cincyjungle.com/">Bengals</a> offensive coordinator Jay Gruden will be the guy in the end. He cites that Arians will likely choose to stay in Indianapolis due to the bevy of talent he has to work with there (mainly, <span>Andrew Luck</span>). Why would Arians want to leave Luck for a much more unstable position? Besides, if he continues to do wonders in Indy, he will get more head coaching opportunities next year.</p>
<p>Bevell could be an option, but Clayton still thinks it will be Gruden. I completely disagree.</p>
<p>First of all, Clayton has already been wrong on several reports pertaining to the Cardinals' coaching search. First he said that the Cardinals were likely to retain Ken Whisenhunt. <a href="http://arizonasports.com/40/1599243/ESPN-insider-There-isnt-any-doubt-Hortons-a-frontrunner-for-head-coaching-jobs?nid=13&sid=1360869" target="_blank">Then he thought</a> that Ray Horton would be a legitimate candidate for a multitude of jobs, which it seems like he never was. Teams ended up opting for more experienced, offensive minded coaches instead.</p>
<p>Secondly, why would the Cardinals go through these second wave of interviews if they think Gruden is going to be there guy? Do they really need to do more due diligence after already having interviewed Horton, Mike McCoy and others. Why not just hire him at this point if they think he is the guy?</p>
<p>I am not sold on the idea of Gruden becoming the Cardinals' head coach, nor do I think that is what is going to happen. But don't take it from me -- take it from the ESPN guy.</p>
<p><b><i>We invite you to follow Revenge of the Birds on Twitter at <a href="http://twitter.com/revengeofbirds">@revengeofbirds</a> and like us on <a href="http://facebook.com/revengeofthebirds">Facebook</a>. Also, follow me on Twitter at </i></b><b><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/TylerNickelASU" target="_blank">@TylerNickelASU</a>.</b></p>
https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/arizona-cardinals-coaching-search/2013/1/17/3885400/john-clayton-believes-jay-gruden-will-end-up-coaching-the-arizonaTyler Nickel2013-01-17T08:00:07-07:002013-01-17T08:00:07-07:00Whisenhunt, Grimm were almost made Bears coaches
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<p>ESPN's John Clayton told Arizona Sports 620 that Bruce Arians was almost hired as head coach of the Chicago Bears and that he would have brought Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm with him. </p> <p>While we are on the topic of John Clayton and his various reports today, I found this latest rumor to be quite interesting.</p>
<p>Apparently, Bruce Arians, assistant coach of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Colts</a>, was in line to become the next head coach of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a>. The Bears were looking to replace Lovie Smith after they missed the playoffs with a 10-6 record.</p>
<p>But instead of hiring Arians, the Bears brass opted to go for Marc Trestman, former head coach of the CFL Montreal Alouettes.</p>
<p>What is surprising is that Arians was pretty much locked in to taking the job and was planning on bringing a couple of former <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Cardinals</a> employees with him. <a href="http://www.facebook.com/dougandwolf/posts/572032936157406" target="_blank">Ken Whisenhunt was supposed to come as the offensive coordinator</a> and Russ Grimm was going to be Arians' offensive line coach.</p>
<p>That never panned out, according to Clayton, because Trestman managed to secure former <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">Saints</a> offensive line coach/interim head coach Aaron Kromer at the last minute to be his offensive coordinator/offensive line coach in Chicago. At that point, the Bears chose Trestman over Arians.</p>
<p>Whisenhunt was also linked to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a> as a '<a href="https://twitter.com/PaulCalvisi/status/291585261710737408" target="_blank">strong candidate</a>' to become their next head coach before they managed to sneak Chip Kelly in through the back door. One could surmise that Russ Grimm would have gone to Philly with Whiz had that happened.</p>
<p><a href="http://blogs.denverpost.com/broncos/2013/01/15/top-candidates-replace-mike-mccoy-broncos-offensive-coordinator/18227/" target="_blank">More reports</a> have Whisenhunt going to Denver to replace Mike McCoy as <span>Peyton Manning's</span> offensive coordinator.</p>
<p>Arians is now a candidate for the Cardinals head coaching gig and it appears that Russ Grimm may be on the outside looking in.</p>
<p>Just another crazy day in the NFL, I guess.</p>
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https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2013/1/17/3885444/clayton-claims-whisenhunt-grimm-were-almost-brought-in-to-coach-bearsTyler Nickel2013-01-17T06:00:07-07:002013-01-17T06:00:07-07:00Arians closing in on the job? What about Horton?
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<p>He is set to interview on Thursday, but dined with the team's represented on Wednesday. There was some noise about whether or not Ray Horton would be retained.</p> <p>The head coaching candidate carousel continues for the <a href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Cardinals</a>. After <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Seattle Seahawks</a> offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell interviewed with the team and the team reportedly requested permission to interview <a href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Colts</a> OC Bruce Arians, the news broke that Arians would interview with the team on Thursday. </p>
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<p>The <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Cardinals">#Cardinals</a> tentatively plan to interview <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Colts">#Colts</a> OC Bruce Arians tomorrow for head coach opening, I'm told. Maybe getting closer...</p>
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/291700634812567552" data-datetime="2013-01-17T00:17:05+00:00">January 17, 2013</a>
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<p>That seemed to imply that he had the inside track to the job. </p>
<p>It turns out that Arians showed up on Wednesday and met with team officials over dinner. </p>
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<p>Colts OC Bruce Arians is having dinner in Arizona tonight with Cardinals officials and will continue interviewing with them Thursday.</p>
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) <a data-datetime="2013-01-17T02:24:42+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/291732748970905601">January 17, 2013</a>
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<p>Whatever the reason, this is the first report of any candidate being with team officials for more than an interview. </p>
<p>It would appear that the team is going hard at Arians right now, which is puzzling because his name only came up on Tuesday. If he were so high on the Cardinals' list, why was he not approached sooner? Why not until after he had been overlooked for the <a href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Bears</a> job? And if they wanted him, why did they not try to get him away from the Bears when it was believed that he was the strongest candidate. </p>
<p>Now, there was a <a href="http://arizonasports.com/40/1602542/ARIANS-IN-HORTON-OUT" target="_blank">report by Arizona Sports</a> that said that Arians was not going to retain defensive coordinator Ray Horton on his staff, as he wished to bring in Todd Bowles, whom he reportedly promised the same position on the Chicago staff. </p>
<p>However, Mike Jurecki on his radio show on XTRA Sports 910 refuted that, saying that the report was absolutely false, and that Horton is upset at the current situation. He also tweeted the same thing later on Wednesday. </p>
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<p>I was told that was false. Now Horton isn'thappy w/ the current situation. @<a href="https://twitter.com/dsheffay">dsheffay</a> if the reports are true about him bringing his own DC</p>
— Mike Jurecki (@mikejurecki) <a href="https://twitter.com/mikejurecki/status/291745330389729281" data-datetime="2013-01-17T03:14:41+00:00">January 17, 2013</a>
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<p>What exactly does this "not being happy<span style="line-height: 9px;">" mean? Is it the type of unhappy that drives one to look elsewhere, or is it the unhappy that simply means he doesn't like how things are going right now?</span></p>
<p>Could it be that this is just another erroneous report, or one that will change with the hours?</p>
<p>Nothing would surprise me anymore. </p>
<p>The positive side? We now can say that the Cardinals have the most attractive head coaching job on the market. </p>
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<p><i>Keep up with Cardinals news and opinions when you are not on the site. Follow Revenge of the Birds on Twitter at </i><a href="http://twitter.com/revengeofbirds"><i>@revengeofbirds</i></a> <i>and "like" us on </i><a href="http://facebook.com/revengeofthebirds"><i>Facebook</i></a><i>. You can follow me individually at </i><a href="http://twitter.com/senorjessroot" target="_blank"><i>@senorjessroot</i></a><i>.</i></p>
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https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2013/1/17/3885736/arizona-cardinals-coaching-search-Jess Root2013-01-16T11:00:07-07:002013-01-16T11:00:07-07:00Maybe the Cards really don't want Horton as HC
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<p>Just when it seemed he was going to be the guy, the team looks for another candidate</p> <p>Tuesday morning, it looked like the path was cleared for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> to make an announcement about their vacant head coaching position. Mike McCoy picked the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers">San Diego Chargers</a>, Todd Haley sounds like he wants the moon to leave the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a> and that would leave Ray Horton.</p>
<p>Tuesday was also supposedly a target date to give Horton a decision by the team.</p>
<p>What happened? Whether a decision was communicated, there was a message sent. At least it sort of looks like that.</p>
<p>With the addition of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell as a candidate late Tuesday and Colts OC Bruce Arians, it gives the appearance that the team really would rather not promote Horton to head coach, for whatever reason.</p>
<p>Maybe it is the fear of a decline in the defense if he were to step away from the day-to-day handling of the unit. Maybe the team doesn't feel he is quite ready. Maybe there are concerns about the offensive staff he would be able to put together.</p>
<p>Then again, it may simply be that the team knows that Horton isn't going anywhere, they are simply exhausting other options when looking to see if there are offensive guys that might offer something better. Since Horton is locked up for the next year in any case and he is not connected to any other jobs around the league, they know that there is no need to get him signed today.</p>
<p>However, the longer it goes on without Horton being promoted, the more it looks like the organization just does not want to go in that direction.</p>
<p>I have held firm to the belief that the team likes Horton and that he is still in the mix, but that if they had a choice, they would go with a guy experienced on offense.</p>
<p>However, with that being said, the sudden addition of Bevell and Arians to the candidate list is making me wonder just a bit.</p>
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<p><i>Keep up with Cardinals news and opinions when you are not on the site. Follow Revenge of the Birds on Twitter at </i><a href="http://twitter.com/revengeofbirds"><i>@revengeofbirds</i></a> <i>and "like" us on </i><a href="http://facebook.com/revengeofthebirds"><i>Facebook</i></a><i>. You can follow me individually at </i><a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/senorjessroot"><i>@senorjessroot</i></a><i>.</i></p>
https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2013/1/16/3881798/arizona-cardinals-coaching-search-ray-hortonJess Root2013-01-16T09:00:05-07:002013-01-16T09:00:05-07:00Another 'Cards are cheap' report is out
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<p>A recent report makes the team look like the good old Cardinals, although new reports have refuted the report.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> have long had a reputation for being cheap. That reality has changed over the past several years, namely with the move to University of Phoenix Stadium. They have paid a lot of money to players. They made Ken Whisenhunt a very wealthy coach. They ate his salary and Rod Graves' contract in firing them.</p>
<p>However, <a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/01/15/with-mccoy-out-of-mix-cardinals-job-becomes-murky/" target="_blank">a recent report by Pro Football Talk </a>seems to imply that the team's perhaps frugal ways are back.</p>
<p>According to the article, "rumors are making the rounds that Steve Keim will be making roughly $750,000 as the Cardinals' new G.M., which would make him the lowest-paid general manager in the league."</p>
<p>(Cue readers screaming about the Bidwills)</p>
<p>Now...before you actually go crazy, it is nuts to think that money wasn't a factor in hiring a new GM. Money is always a consideration. However, why wouldn't Keim be the lowest paid GM in the league? He is also the least experienced. He has accomplished the least at the position (nothing yet). Being paid the least makes sense. In fact, if the team threw a lot of money at him unnecessarily, you would have to wonder about how the team does things as a business.</p>
<p>Was money the reason why got the job? I doubt it. He is a man whose insights have been well respected by Michael Bidwill and others in the organization.</p>
<p>Clearly, the team had Keim in mind from the start. The only other man they interviewed for the position was Morocco Brown, and that met the requirement of the Rooney Rule. They had to interview someone.</p>
<p>The PFT report also implies that money could be the sticking point for the head coaching position. That doesn't really make sense.</p>
<p>If money were the issue, Ray Horton would already have been hired. He will command the least amount of money. Plus, they never had a chance to make an offer to Mike McCoy. With Andy Reid, it was more about control more than anything else.</p>
<p>Are the Cards being cheap? Other than paying a brand new GM less than all the other experienced ones around the league, there is no evidence of that these days.</p>
<h3><b>Update:</b></h3>
<p>Mike Jurecki refuted the PFT report and Fox Sports Arizona's Craig Morgan also confirmed that with a rock solid source, he tells me. </p>
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<p>NFL source Cards GM Steve Keim is making ovr million dollars per year, he signed a 3 deal w/ the Cards last week, PFT report was inaccurate</p>
— Mike Jurecki (@mikejurecki) <a data-datetime="2013-01-16T14:34:39+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/mikejurecki/status/291554060149071873">January 16, 2013</a>
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<p>League source: Reports that <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23Cardinals">#Cardinals</a> Steve Keim is NFL's lowest paid GM are incorrect, as is his reported salary (750K). Makes > than $1M.</p>
— Craig Morgan (@cmorgancbsfoxaz) <a data-datetime="2013-01-16T15:43:08+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/cmorgancbsfoxaz/status/291571295320166401">January 16, 2013</a>
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<p>It turns out that Keim is making a salary comparable to what Graves was. Good job, Cards. </p>
<p><i>Keep up with Cardinals news and opinions when you are not on the site. Follow Revenge of the Birds on Twitter at </i><a href="http://twitter.com/revengeofbirds"><i>@revengeofbirds</i></a> <i>and "like" us on </i><a href="http://facebook.com/revengeofthebirds"><i>Facebook</i></a><i>. You can follow me individually at </i><a target="_blank" href="http://twitter.com/senorjessroot"><i>@senorjessroot</i></a><i>.</i></p>
https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2013/1/16/3881760/arizona-cardinals-reportedly-make-steve-keim-lowest-paid-gm-in-theJess Root