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Bruce Arians did what every head coach is entitled to do, therefore he did nothing wrong.

The Arizona Cardinals did what every franchise should do, therefore they did nothing wrong.

Ray Horton is no longer the defensive coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals, therefore everyone is wrong.

Bruce Arians has been the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals for less than 24 hours and the honeymoon for GM Steve Keim and Arians is over before the press conference starts.

Arizona Sports 620 and ArizonaSports.com was the first and only media outlet to report before the interview of Bruce Arians that Ray Horton would not be retained as defensive coordinator if Arians earned the head coaching job. The report was 100% correct. The decision was 100% wrong.

It is wrong for any franchise to hire a head coach and then dictate to that head coach who his assistants will be. It shows the players the head coach isn't really in charge. The head coach and the retained assistants need to develop chemistry at best and make sure they aren't being back-stabbed at worst. Forcing assistants on to a head coach tells other potential head coaches of the future that the organization is cheap because it won't pay coaches under contract from the old regime to do nothing. Those assistants will be forced upon the new head coach where they are not wanted. The Cardinals did the right thing to allow Bruce Arians to bring in his own staff.

If Bruce Arians accepted the job despite being forced to keep certain assistants, he shows he's not convicted enough in his principles. It's easy to foreshadow a conviction-less coach's failure in the coming years. Arians was right to stand up for his passion. He clearly isn't a strong leader if he doesn't surround himself with people in which he believes.

Hiring someone who doesn't stand up for themselves is like your daughter's fiancée agreeing to change HIS name. Sure, you're thrilled to see your last name live on for another generation but you have to question what kind of man your daughter has chosen to raise your grandchildren.

I support the hiring of Bruce Arians. It's a coup to be the last team to hire a coach in the 2012-13 carousel and get the most qualified assistant coach on the market.

He's the only coordinator who was actually a playoff "head coach", since it was Arians who led the Colts in Chuck Pagano's health-related absence. The Cardinals just hired the quarterback mentor to Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger and Andrew Luck. This should be a great day in the history of the Arizona Cardinals. Michael Bidwill and Steve Keim should be applauded for nailing the best candidate outside of Andy Reid.

So why doesn't it feel that way?

So why aren't I clapping?

The first major decision in the history of the Steve Keim/Bruce Arians regime appears so blind that it takes the wind out of the sails before the boat leaves the dock.

I can't get excited about the hire despite it being the right hire. A head coach told Ray Horton-- in no uncertain terms -- that he has a better defensive coordinator to bring in the fold. Sure, if that DC was Dick LeBeau or Monte Kiffin, I'd be telling Horton to suck it up and move on. Since that's not what is happening, I'm being asked to support a great decision immediately followed by a horrific decision, leaving me stuck in neutral.

Removing Ray Horton is no different than going for a fake punt from your own 10-yard line on the first fourth down of your head coaching career: IT BETTER WORK.

Doug Franz, Co-host of Doug & Wolf

18 Comments   |   Join the conversation »
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    SafteyE wrote...
    I liked Horton too, but everyone is acting like
    his defense was one of the best. It wasn't. Statistically it wasn't even average. This defense ranked 21st in the league at the end of the season. And did anyone forget losing 58-0 to an offense led by a rookie QB? I realize R. Wilson was a good rookie, but 58-0? Horton seemed like he had the D headed in the right direction, but everyone is acting like this coach led this team to the Super Bowl. No, that guy was fired a month ago. "IT BETTER WORK" or what Franz? You gonna melt down over losing a 2nd year DC with barely average results like many so called "fans" already are? Please...
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    red7037 wrote...
    @ SafteyE
    Well said.....fans cry that he deserved the JOB! Then why didnt Cleveland or Buffalo hire him if he was this golden prospect. No doubt defense played well and Horton's play calling (the constant blitzing) was fun to watch. But if he was only going to be here one more year there is not point in keeping him when the head coach just started a new 4 year regime. Get Arians' guys in here and let him give it a go 100%. The outcry of all the fans "quitting" the team is all a joke, I guarantee for every 10 A-holes that says there done only one (if that) commits to it.
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    AzSunnyD wrote...
    SafetyE nailed it...
    Additionally, there was now way you could assure the team didn't divide up under Horton and Arians. Rightly there would have been some guys not happy with their guy getting the HC job. Arians has to be the boss on the field and Keim has to be the boss over him so everyone knows whose in charge. Things had to change it wasn't imporving...thsi is part of the process and it wasn't going to please everyone. I want not only a competitive team but a franchise to grow. Haven't done it yet but have to keep trying. Cross your fingers and hold your criticism until the season starts.
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    Hometown_Kid_23 wrote...
    Had to be done
    I hate to agree with you guys but it is true. The move had to be made. This relationship was not going to work. If the reports are true about Ray being angry about the news, how would the runner-up feel comfortable taking orders from the person who beat him for the job? I liked Ray, but he was given a fair shot and unfortunately, it was viewed that his offensive staff was not going to cut it.
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    Hometown_Kid_23 wrote...
    Had to be done Part 2
    It was either Ray or Bruce and ownership went with what is trending and that is offensive minded coaches. I have no problem with that, especially after all of the positive feedback I keep hearing about this guy. I am not sold on Bowles, but he will definitely have a lot to prove. That said, you cannot knock Bruce or Keim until the season plays out because as we all know winning cures everything, including a sour fan base.
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    FitzIsMyHero wrote...
    @ SafteyE and red7037
    That 58 point game was after Whiz fined Dockett $200k. That was the game that everyone quit on Whiz. It wasnt because we were outplayed by SEA's offense, its because everybody quit. Since hiring a offensive coach to be HC was their plan all along, they should have told Ray because he could have done interviews with other teams for DC too. Like this article says, orginizations dont force previous regime assistants onto new regime HC's. So it would have been nice for Horton to know upfront that they were going to do that. But you know what, thats how the Cardinals do business.
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    FitzIsMyHero wrote...
    I OFFICIALLY QUIT THE CARDINALS
    I know none of you care, but I officially retire my interest from the Arizona Cardinals and anything affiliated with them including this website. Coincidentally I am having a yard sale tomorrow. I plan on selling all my hats, shirts, jerseys, and sweaters. I am not going to support this orginization by buying memorabilia or tickets to games. I have seen the way they do business with ppl we love the most (Boldin and Horton). Im know theres a longer list than that. Thats how they got AND live up to their reputation. I hope they suck for years to come.
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    diehardcard wrote...
    Horton was never staying as DC
    That was never even a possibility. They were either going to promote Ray or fire him. There was no in-between. Anyone who thought that was possible didn't actually think about what they were saying. Saying they made a great decision and followed it with a horrific one is dishonest. When they made the decision to pass over Ray and hire Arians, the die was cast. That was the poor decision. Tell me, how long does anyone expect a 60 y/o first time head coach to last? The next 10-15 years? Get real. He's gone in 3.
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    red7037 wrote...
    To FitzisMyHero.
    Thank God....and PLEASE stick to your promise this time. I can point at two posts where you have said the same exact thing and still commented every other day. The best redesign the website could possibly get is if your not posting on it anymore. No more mindless drivel.
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    Larry B. wrote...
    Deal with it
    The Cardinals didn't fire Ray Horton when Whiz was fired because they knew that if they didn't get any of their offensive choices for head coach, they would just promote Horton. The fans would be happy and, while it may be a few years early for Horton to be a head coach, it could work out wonderfully just like Mike Tomlin did in Pittsburgh. But the Cards got Arians, perhaps the best fit for the Cards of any of the new head coach hires. The Cards need the offense fixed more than they need a great DC, and that's where they are.
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