Andy Reid, Two Others Will Interview for Cardinals' Head Coach Position

Andy Reid, Two Others Will Interview for Cardinals’ Head Coach Position

by Doug Kyed on Mon, Dec 31, 2012 at 10:37PM

Andy Reid hasn’t been unemployed for 24 hours yet, and he’s already drawing job interviews. That’s not bad for a guy who led his team to a disappointing 4-12 record in 2012.

Arizona Cardinals president Michael Bidwell announced the team will interview Reid for their open head coach position. The Cardinals fired Ken Whisenhunt on “Black Monday.”

Arizona will also interview their defensive coordinator Ray Horton and Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy.

It’s a common thought throughout the NFL that Reid simply needed a change of scenery from Philadelphia. Reid had been with the Eagles for 14 seasons and led them to a 130-93 record. That included five appearances in the NFC Championship Game, and four straight from 2001-2004. Reid only led the Eagles to one Super Bowl, which they lost to the Patriots in 2004.

Philadelphia went to the playoffs nine times under Reid, but failed to make it in the last two years of Reid’s tenure.

Hopes were high for the team after they signed a number of free agents prior to the 2011 season. Some even referred to them as “the Dream Team.” Unfortunately, the Eagles finished that season 8-8 and only got worse in 2012 when expectations were still high. The team saw Michael Vick suffer a steep decline in production after an impressive 2010 season, and the rest of the team couldn’t rebound around him.

In Arizona, the Cardinals have similar quarterback issues. They traded with the Eagles for Kevin Kolb, who can’t seem to stay healthy in the Southwest, and John Skelton, Ryan Lindley and Brian Hoyer couldn’t maintain the team’s success after starting 4-0 out of the gate. The Cardinals do have an impressive roster that includes Larry Fitzgerald on offense and Patrick Peterson on defense, but a weak offensive line has plagued them just as much as their quarterback play.

Reid will need help to bolster the Cardinals, but they do have some impressive players in place if they can find a quarterback and offensive line. There would certainly be less pressure from fans in Arizona compared to Philadelphia for Reid, as well.

Photo of the Day

This is what the locker room of a team not heading to the playoffs looks like.

Quote of the Day

“It’s all about focus, dedication and commitment. Until you get guys who are willing to better themselves week in and week out and want to win, you’re not going to win. And I haven’t played with guys like that. It’s unfortunate for Coach things turned out the way they are. It could have been a lot better. This locker room could have dictated that.”
–Michael Vick, with some harsh words for his Eagles teammates