Revenge of the Birds - Todd Bowles is new Jets head coach, Cards need a new DCAn Arizona Cardinals community -- the best one there ishttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51297/rotb_fav.png2015-02-13T14:16:39-07:00http://www.revengeofthebirds.com/rss/stream/73141602015-02-13T14:16:39-07:002015-02-13T14:16:39-07:00Somers: Hiring Bettcher is 'a risk'
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<p>Local reporter Kent Somers gives some insight to the new hire. </p> <p>So far, with the promotion of James Bettcher to defensive coordinator by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a>, all we have heard is optimism. Bettcher is a rising star. Bettcher has great command of the room. He wants a fast and physical defense. It's everything you want to hear.</p>
<p>AZCentral beat writer Kent Somers <a href="http://www.arizonasports.com/?sid=&nid=244&a=310292" target="_blank">was a a guest on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM</a> and discussed some of the challenges of naming Bettcher the new DC, calling it "an interesting move," as he didn't know much about Bettcher.</p>
<p>"On the surface, it's a risk," said Somers. "(He has only) three years in the NFL. From looking at his background, he has never called a defense at any level."</p>
<p>Somers, though, was quick to give head coach Bruce Arians some credit. "(He) has done a very good job of identifying coaching talent and putting together a really good staff."</p>
<p>Somers was also <a href="http://www.foxsports910.com/media/podcast-the-drive-featured-interviews-interviews/212-kent-somers-25810571/" target="_blank">in studio with Jody Oehler and Mike Jurecki </a>on Fox Sports Radio 910, where he also pointed out "there's a reason why Arians wanted to bring in a Dick LeBeau or a Dick LeBeau-type and hasn't yet."</p>
<p>He noted how Arians prepared Bettcher and how his ability to delegate responsibilities and see who on his staff has potential for promotions. He saw what he wanted out of Bettcher when he was given the tasks of looking at the two-minute drills that every team in the league ran and also analyzing officials and their tendencies in calls they make. He was tasked with making those presentations to the players. That is where Arians saw he has command of the room.</p>
<p>Somers also was asked a tough question -- whom does Bettcher need to win over in the locker room?</p>
<p>"I think with (Patrick) Peterson there has to be a tremendous belief," he said. "I think if <span>Darnell Dockett</span> comes back, he has to believe in the defensive coordinator because we've seen Darnell butt heads with a defensive coordinator before -- Ray Horton -- and it did not work and it hurt that defense.</p>
<p>'If you bring Darnell back, he has to buy in to this guy because he had bought into the <span>Todd Bowles</span> regime."</p>
<p>Somers said that <span>Rashad Johnson</span> is another guy to win over -- not because he is tough to deal with -- but because sometimes a guy like Johnson will have to make a defensive call on the field before the call can come in from the sideline and he should be on the same page philosophically as Bettcher.</p>
<p>The other thing Bettcher will need to do, according to Somers, is "challenge Peterson" to help him reach the potential the team believes he can reach "and give him a path to do it."</p>
<p>Can Bettcher do all that? If he can, it will be something. Not only does he have to show he can call a defense, but he has to do with with a team that has played great defense and is expecting to be <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl">Super Bowl</a> contenders. That's a tall order for a guy who has only three years in the NFL.</p>
https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2015/2/13/8032969/going-with-inexperienced-bettcher-is-a-risk-new-dc-will-have-to-winJess Root2015-02-12T10:14:02-07:002015-02-12T10:14:02-07:00Bettcher wants 'fast, physical product on field'
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<p>The newly promoted defensive coordinator talks about his goals, background and philosophy. </p> <p>There is a lot to see this next season for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> in terms of what the defense has to offer. Defensive coordinator <span>Todd Bowles</span> is now a head coach and James Bettcher takes over the Arizona defense. He was on the air on Fox Sports 910 with Mike Jurecki and Jody Oehler on Wednesday and <a href="http://www.foxsports910.com/media/podcast-the-drive-featured-interviews-interviews/211-james-bettcher-25807049/" target="_blank">talked a bit about his new job.</a></p>
<p>Bettcher cited some of his defensive mentors, naming Chuck Pagano, John Lovett, Everett Withers and Butch Davis. Todd Bowles is also in that mix.</p>
<p>He said he learned from "fundamentals first, scheme second" type of guys, describing them all as "old school."</p>
<p>Bettcher said "something that I'll forever take with me" from Todd Bowles was how the new <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">New York Jets</a> head coach had "a vision as to what (his players) could do, what they were best suited for (and) finding roles for guys."</p>
<p>When it comes to what he wants to have on the field defensively, he was cliche in his response.</p>
<p>"We're going to put a fast, physical product on the field and guys are going to play hard," Bettcher explained. "When people put our tape on, when fans watch us play on Sundays, that's what we want them to see."</p>
<p>I<a href="http://blog.azcardinals.com/2015/02/11/bettcher-plays-the-two-minute-game/" target="_blank">n another interview,</a> he did say he has done a lot of "what if" thinking.</p>
<p>"I've had a chance to look at a lot of two-minute situations and call what I would be calling in those scenarios," Bettcher said. "To look at how those games are managed, why people are successful in two-minute and why they are not. Just putting yourself in those situations as it's gone along."</p>
<p>Once, we are hearing the right things. We will see what he can actually do and how his players respond as workouts and the preseason roll around.</p>
https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2015/2/12/8024955/new-dc-james-bettcher-wants-to-put-a-fast-physical-product-on-theJess Root2015-02-11T07:00:04-07:002015-02-11T07:00:04-07:00New DC 'has a great football mind,'
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<p>A couple of defensive players discuss the respect they have for the new and young DC. </p> <p>We know head coach Bruce Arians is going to say great things about the man he just promoted to be defensive coordinator.</p>
<p>It is also completely expected that players speak glowingly of the new hire.</p>
<p>That doesn't diminish what it means, though.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.azcardinals.com/news-and-events/article-2/James-Bettcher-To-Make-Own-Imprint-As-DC/b44e1322-f3ea-4a04-a71f-d2c7f3f32199" target="_blank">As noted on AZCardinals.com</a>, veterans <span>Lorenzo Alexander</span> and <span>Calais Campbell</span> have good things to say about their new defensive leader.</p>
<p>Campbell said age doesn't matter when it comes to respecting his coach, but rather his football mind. "I know 'Bettch' has a great football mind."</p>
<p>"He's passionate, he knows ‘X's and ‘O's, he cares about his players, he relates well," Alexander said. "His biggest attribute, like Todd, is he's not about being right, he's about getting it right. He fits the scheme to his players. Not the other way around."</p>
<p>Arians noted the respect <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Colts</a> linebacker <span>Robert Mathis</span> had for Bettcher. Arians said Mathis "was pissed" when Arians took Bettcher with him to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a>. "He said ‘He made me a better player for the first time in four years,' " Arians said Mathis texted.</p>
<p>That makes three Pro Bowlers endorsing Bettcher. That's certainly a good start.</p>
<p>Arians already noted Bettcher's command of the room.</p>
<p>All that is left is for the fans to be won over when the football season starts.</p>
https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2015/2/11/8017877/dc-james-bettcher-has-a-great-football-mind-is-about-getting-it-rightJess Root2015-02-11T06:00:05-07:002015-02-11T06:00:05-07:00New DC Bettcher 'a shooting star'
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<p>The Cardinals introduce the new defensive coordinator. </p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> held a press conference on Tuesday to introduce new defensive coordinator James Bettcher. The move has been known for a while, but the formal introduction did not take place immediately, as head coach Bruce Arians was on vacation.</p>
<p>But Arians was very optimistic about his new defensive coordinator, who is only 36 years old and has only three years of coaching experience in the NFL.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.azcardinals.com/videos/videos/Bettcher-My-heart-is-pounding-with-excitement-/8904e0d9-0557-4e6d-bc1a-49829fa2017f" target="_blank">Speaking to the media,</a> Arians referred to Bettcher as a "shooting star."</p>
<p>Why? It has to do with Bettcher's "command of the room," Arians said. That is "what separates him from other young coaches."</p>
<p>Bettcher then got to take over the media room and explained how his approach to the defense will be similar to what <span>Todd Bowles</span> said when he came on and replaced Ray Horton.</p>
<p>When Bowles first came to the team, Bettcher recalled what he said. "You played great defense here before I came here, so there's already a standard set," Bettcher remembered Bowles saying. "It isn't about continuing to uphold the standard, it's about raising the bar."</p>
<p>Bettcher wants to "find ways to raise the bar" with a defensive unit considered one of the league's best until they struggled down the stretch in 2014.</p>
<p>"I look at playing defense as you're either getting dictated to or you're dictating -- one of the two," Bettcher explained. "We know which one we want to be defensively, and that's to dictate people on first and second down and put us in position on third down to be successful."</p>
<p>Bettcher mentioned the need to give up less explosive plays. <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/arizona-cardinals/post/_/id/12695/james-bettchers-age-not-an-issue-for-bruce-arians" target="_blank">ESPN's Josh Weinfuss </a>noted Arizona's defense gave up 75 plays of at least 20 yards, including 14 touchdowns. That is an average of more than four per game.</p>
<p>The language for the defense will remain the same. Philosophically, he agrees with the scheme, even noting the scheme Todd Bowles built over two years would be what he would be using if he were rebuilding a defense elsewhere.</p>
<p>However, we do not know if the 2015 Cardinals will blitz as much as they did with Todd Bowles. Arizona bluitzed more than anyone over the last two seasons. Bettcher indicated it will depend on personnel, which is the easy answer to give because neither they nor we know what the team will look like exactly in terms of defensive personnel yet.</p>
<p>Arians has high hopes for Bettcher. Now having lost one defensive coordinator to a head coaching job, he believes it will happen again with Bettcher.</p>
<p>"I don't think it would be long before he is a head coach," he said of Bettcher.</p>
<p>If that is the result of another few years of dominating defense, Cardinals fans will be able to deal with the changing staff.</p>
https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2015/2/11/8017847/new-dc-james-bettcher-is-a-shooting-star-expects-to-raise-the-barJess Root2015-02-07T11:00:03-07:002015-02-07T11:00:03-07:00Bowles trusts Arians in Bettcher promotion
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<figcaption>NJ Advance Media for NJ.com via USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The new Jets head coach says to trust Arians. </p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> have a new defensive coordinator in James Bettcher, who was promoted to replace <span>Todd Bowles</span>, now the head coach of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">New York Jets</a>. Bowles was a guest on the radio in Phoenix, appearing on the "Doug and Wolf Show" on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, and he was <a href="http://arizonasports.com/40/1805426/Todd-Bowles-completely-trusts-hiring-of-James-Bettcher-as-Arizona-Cardinals-defensive-coordinator" target="_blank">asked about the decision </a>to promote Bettcher to DC.</p>
<p>Bowles said head coach Bruce Arians "made a great choice," citing there were several men on the staff who could be good coordinators.</p>
<p>Then Bowles there is the trust factor he has in Arians.</p>
<p>"You trust in Arians," he explained. "(People) questioned me when I got there. You don't question. Bruce knows what he's doing when he's picking guys, so I trust it completely."</p>
<p>He suggested Bettcher needs to listen to his other coaches. They are on staff to help.</p>
<p>He will have some experienced help. His defensive staff includes Nick Rapone, who has been a defensive coordinator in the college ranks, and Bob Sanders, who has over 30 years of coaching experience and has been a DC in the NFL.</p>
<p>The Cardinals now have an offensive coordinator and a defensive coordinator with no experience in those jobs previous to their hiring. But they also have experienced coaches on staff to help groom the young coaches.</p>
<p>On the offensive side of the staff, Harold Goodwin is the coordinator, but he has great mentors in Arians and Tom Moore, who have decades of experience.</p>
<p>Now, defensively, Bettcher has Sanders, Rapone and Tom Pratt who can give him guidance and mentoring.</p>
<p>Of course, Bowles would never say anything negative about Arians or his coaching decisions. That's not who he is. But taking his statement at face value, should fans trust Arians in his hiring of a relatively inexperienced coach to lead a defense that carries the team?</p>
https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2015/2/7/7995357/todd-bowles-on-james-bettcher-as-cardinals-dc-arians-made-a-greatJess Root2015-02-04T21:12:52-07:002015-02-04T21:12:52-07:00Bios for new defensive staff
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<img alt="This is a photo of James Bettcher of the Arizona Cardinals NFL football team. This image reflects the Arizona Cardinals active roster as of Wednesday, June 18, 2014. (AP Photo)" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/yyiuowwqYgh1wq0fGskFlB36-kc=/0x0:3504x2336/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45630166/Bettcher_James.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>This is a photo of James Bettcher of the Arizona Cardinals NFL football team. This image reflects the Arizona Cardinals active roster as of Wednesday, June 18, 2014. (AP Photo) | <a href='http://apimages.photoshelter.com/'>Associated Press</a></figcaption>
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<p>A look at the careers of the new (and newly promoted) defensive staff. </p> <p>Alex promised you more detailed bios of the defensive staff who were either added or promoted on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> defensive coaching staff.</p>
<p>I bring you said bios.</p>
<p><b>James Bettcher</b>, the newly promoted defensive coordinator, coached the Cardinals outside linebackers the past two seasons after working in the same capacity with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stampedeblue.com/">Indianapolis Colts</a> in 2012. He coached linebacker <span>John Abraham</span>, who in 2013 was selected to the Pro Bowl after collecting 11.5 sacks, the most sacks by a linebacker in a single-season in team history. He also tutored <span>Alex Okafor</span> who had a team-leading eight sacks in 2014. Bettcher was part of a defensive coaching staff that helped the Cardinals finish with the NFL's top ranked run defense (84.4 yards per game) in 2013 while collecting 47 sacks, the third-highest total in franchise history. In 2014, Arizona's defense allowed just 18.7 points per game, the fifth lowest average in the league while allowing 20 points or fewer in an NFL-high 13 games.<br> <br>The 36-year old Bettcher joined the Cardinals two years ago after spending the 2012 season as the special assistant to Head Coach Chuck Pagano with Indianapolis while also tutoring the Colts outside linebackers. He helped <span>Robert Mathis</span> earn his first Pro Bowl selection at OLB and fifth selection overall that season. Prior to joining the Colts, Bettcher spent nine years in the college coaching ranks, including in 2011 as linebackers/special teams coordinator at New Hampshire. He began his coaching career at his alma mater, University of St. Francis, from 2003-05 as special teams coordinator and defensive line coach. Bettcher then worked as a defensive graduate assistant at Bowling Green (2006) before serving in the same role at North Carolina (2007-09). He coached defensive ends and special teams at Ball State in 2010 before moving to New Hampshire.</p>
<p><b>Bob Sanders</b>, brought on to be the linebackers coach and the senior coaching presence for Bettcher, comes to the Cardinals after coaching the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/oakland-raiders">Raiders</a> linebackers the past two seasons. A veteran assistant coach with 36 years of experience at the collegiate and NFL level including as a defensive coordinator with Green Bay for three seasons, Sanders helped tutor rookie linebacker <span>Khalil Mack</span> in 2014 as he collected 84 tackles, four sacks, four passes defensed and one forced fumble while starting all 16 games with the Raiders. Prior to joining the Raiders in 2013, Sanders worked with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.buffalorumblings.com/">Buffalo Bills</a> coaching the defensive line and linebackers for four seasons (2009-12). He served as the defensive coordinator for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a> for three seasons (2006-08) after beginning his Packers tenure as defensive ends coach in 2005.<br> <br>His first NFL coaching assignment came with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thephinsider.com/">Miami Dolphins</a> for four seasons (2001-04) as linebackers coach. With the Dolphins, Sanders helped linebacker <span>Zach Thomas</span> earn three straight Pro Bowl selections. A college assistant for 22 years, Sanders coached at Florida (1990-2000) for 11 seasons on the defensive side of the ball and helped the Gators win the national championship in 1996. Prior to working at Florida, Sanders coached five seasons at Duke (1985-89), two years at Richmond (1983-84), and three seasons at East Carolina (1980-82). His first collegiate position was a part-time job at Georgia Tech in 1978 sandwiched between three years (1976-77, 1979) at the high school level.<br> <br><b>Mike Chiurco</b>, promoted to defensive assistant/assistant defensive backs coach, has worked the past two seasons as the assistant to head coach Bruce Arians after joining the team in 2013. He previously worked in the Colts scouting department for four years (1999-2003). Chiurco began his coaching career at his alma mater, Ohio State in 1998 assisting Buckeyes defensive backs and quarterbacks for three years before coaching at the high school level for 18 seasons in Ohio.<br> <br><b>Wesley Goodwin</b>, who replaces Chiurco as assistant to the head coach, joins the Cardinals from Clemson where he spent the last six seasons, including the past three years as a defensive analyst. While at Clemson, Goodwin was in charge of all defensive breakdowns and opponent scouting, assisted with on-campus recruiting and also served as an assistant NFL liaison. He began his coaching career at his alma mater, Mississippi State as a student assistant in 2006-07 and worked as a graduate assistant in 2008.</p>
https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2015/2/4/7983051/bios-for-james-bettcher-bob-sanders-mike-chiurco-wesley-goodwinJess Root2015-02-02T08:00:03-07:002015-02-02T08:00:03-07:00Bob Sanders to join Cards staff, Foote might play
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<p>The Cardinals are expected to announce their coaching staff changes today. </p> <p>Before <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl">Super Bowl</a> XLIX started on Sunday, there was a report that came out about the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> coaching staff. Local reporter and radio host Mike Jurecki added the veteran coach who would be expected to join the Cards staff.</p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/mikejurecki/status/561927710633492480" target="_blank">According to Jurecki</a>, the Cardinals will announce today outside linebackers coach James Bettcher will be named the new defensive coordinator, replacing <span>Todd Bowles</span>, who was hired to be the head coach of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">New York Jets</a>. Joining the Cardinals defensive staff will be 61-year old Bob Sanders as linebackers coach. Sanders formerly was defensive coordinator for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a>.</p>
<p>Head coach Bruce Arians said he wanted a veteran coach to help the "young guy" that would be promoted. Sanders is that guy, apparently.</p>
<p>Arians also said he hoped a former player would join the staff. It was revealed that could be linebacker <span>Larry Foote</span>.</p>
<p>However, <a href="https://twitter.com/mikejurecki/status/561929820909486080" target="_blank">Jurecki also reported</a> Foote is in the mix as another linebackers coach, but as of right now Foote is "70-30 in favor of playing" in 2015.</p>
<p>Should Foote decide to keep playing instead of retiring, <a href="https://twitter.com/mikejurecki/status/561931571213516800" target="_blank">Jurecki also tweeted</a> the Cardinals are interested in bringing him back again to play. He indicated they would probably limit him in training camp to "preserve his body throughout the year." Foote's play declined late in the season and he missed the last regular season game because of an injury.</p>
https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2015/2/2/7962295/bob-sanders-expected-to-join-coaching-staff-larry-foote-leaningJess Root2015-01-31T14:09:16-07:002015-01-31T14:09:16-07:00Foote could be 'former player' to join Cards staff
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<p>The veteran linebacker has to choose whether to continue playing or not. </p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/">Arizona Cardinals</a> head coach Bruce Arians said recently the team would announce its coaching staff changes next week, as they have some vacancies to fill after <span>Todd Bowles</span> left to become head coach of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ganggreennation.com/">New York Jets</a>.</p>
<p>Arians mentioned <a href="http://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2015/1/31/7955919/no-new-language-and-same-philosophy-for-arizona-cardinals-defense" target="_blank">"hopefully a former player"</a> joining the staff. <a href="https://twitter.com/kentsomers/status/561603537461714944" target="_blank">According to Kent Somers</a>, that could be linebacker <span>Larry Foote</span>. A source told Somers if Foote decides to retire he could join the Cardinals defensive staff.</p>
<p>It would make sense. Defensive coordinator Todd Bowles took linebackers coach Mike Caldwell with him to the Jets. Outside linebacker coach James Bettcher is expected to be promoted to be the defensive coordinator. They will have two linebackers coach vacancies.</p>
<p>Foote has played in the NFL 13 years and will be 35 in June. He already said might be done playing. He is a two-time champion. He played for legendary defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau for years in Pittsburgh. In his one season with the Cardinals, he became an instant leader and was almost voted captain after just a couple of months with the team.</p>
<p>The fact Arians said "hopefully" suggests that Foote would be the guy, too, as the report doesn't indicate he has decided to retire or not.</p>
<p>Foote was quite productive in 2014. The team credited him with 83 tackles, two sacks and an interception. He did, though, start to fade down the stretch during the season.</p>
<p>Foote would be a fantastic addition to the coaching staff. He already has the respect of the players, he is knowledgeable and has been on great defenses.</p>
<p>The only question is whether or not he wants to coach or play. Based on Arians' comments, it looks like coaching will be the more likely decision.</p>
https://www.revengeofthebirds.com/2015/1/31/7957239/larry-foote-could-be-former-player-to-join-arizona-cardinalsJess Root