Lose The Super Bowl, Lose Your Job!

The Arizona Cardinals accomplished something last week that they’d never done before. For the first time in their history they reached the Super Bowl. The Cardinals made their historic run through the NFC Playoffs by sending by beating the Falcons and Eagles at home and the Carolina Panthers on the road before falling to Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl. Now, two guys who helped Arizona march through the post-season won’t be there in 2009.

Offensive coordinator Todd Haley just took the challenge of resurrecting the Kansas City Chiefs from the dead and don’t think for a second that he wont try and sweet free agent and Pro-Bowl quarterback Kurt Warner with him. Under Haley the Cardinals were third in the NFL in scoring and set a franchise record with 427 points scored.

Defensively they weren’t quite as good but still good enough to win an NFC Championship. Apparently that wasn’t good enough for Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt who after seeing one Super Bowl coordinator willingly leave kicked the other out the door on Saturday. Defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast was a holdover from the Dennis Green era but reaching the Super Bowl wasn’t good enough to save his job this year.

Regardless of whether its fair or not when you lose in such dramatic fashion as the Cardinals did someone has to be the goat.

Super Bowl Doesn’t Disappoint

Eli Manning’s game winning drive against the New England Patriots last February was one of the greatest moments in Super Bowl history capping one of the greatest Super Bowls to be played. Who would have thought that a year later it would have been topped by the Steelers and Cardinals?

After Pittsburgh’s James Harrison returned an interception 100 yards for a score the Steelers seemed to be in control with a 17-7 halftime lead. However, after bumping their lead to 20-7, Pittsburgh inexplicably decided to move their safeties all the way back to Miami leaving Larry Fitzgerald all the room he needed to make the type of big plays we’ve come accustomed to seeing from him in the playoffs. The combination of deep safeties and Arizona’s version of Tecmo Bowl made for one of the greatest 4th quarters the NFL’s biggest game has ever seen.

There are, and will continue to be, rumblings about unfair officiating and while there are some interesting arguments out there I’m not buying it. Both teams made some stupid penalties throughout Arizona just made more. I for one appreciate the fact that the officials didn’t penalize Santonio Holmes for his end zone tribute to Lebron James. In the same way they didn’t penalize the Cardinals for their team celebration following Fitzgerald’s 64-yard 4th quarter explosion.
Were there blown calls in the game? Sure there were! Yes, the Cardinal fans have a gripe but so does every other fanbase whose team has lost a heartbreaking contest in the final seconds. That’s what makes the game great! What would be the Super Bowl be without controversy? Controversy is what creates greatness and this game was absolutely great!

Blogging the NFL – Divisional Play-Offs

Coaching Carousel
Some way some how Tom Coughlin survived this season as the New York Giants head coach despite finishing the season 2-7. In fact the Giants gave Coughlin a one year extension through 2008. Is this an example of blind faith?

The Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly very close to hiring their next head coach. In fact rumors are flying that there will be an announcement as early as tomorrow. Longtime assistant Russ Grimm has been speculated to be the leading candidate.

Who hasn’t interviewed for the Miami Dolphins head coaching position? No one can deny that Miami has done one of the most extensive searches of the off season. The number of interviewed candidates is up to 12 and the most recent big name to come up is Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Mike Martz.

The plan is to narrow the list down to five and then two before making an offer to anyone.

The Arizona Cardinals appear to be focusing in on Houston Texans assistant head coach Mike Sherman. They are bringing the former Packers head coach in for his second interview but are also supposedly waiting to see what the Pittsburgh Steelers do with Russ Grimm and Ken Whisenhunt. I wouldn’t eliminate Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow from the equation yet either.

The Oakland Raiders are rumored to be interested in former offensive coordinator Marc Trestman.

Browns Moving to the West Coast?
Offensively speaking of course. Cleveland is hot on the trail of former Atkanta Falcons offensive coordinator Greg Knapp who is a West Coast offensive guy.

Harrison Out Again for Pats
The New England Patriots will be out Rodney Harrison again this weekend when they travel to play against the San Diego Chargers. This will be the second consecutive play-off game the Patriots safety will miss with a sprained knee. At this point Harrison is looking like a very bad investment for New England.

Seattle has Jackson Back
Seattle will need to use every offensive weapon in their arsenal to upset the Chicago Bears and it appears they are close to getting there. Leading receiver Darrell Jackson has been upgraded to questionable for Sunday’s game.

Divisional Play-Off Winners
Indianapolis at Baltimore – Ravens
Philadelphia at New Orleans – Saints
Seattle at Chicago – Bears
New England at San Diego – Chargers

If you are registered for the NFL Play-Offs Contest don’t forget to make your picks before kick-off of the Colts/Ravens Game on Saturday. You can make your picks here!