Dennis Green signs five-year deal with Cardinals

[lcjjdnh]

From ESPN.com

Dennis Green, one of the winningest NFL coaches in the 1990s, signed a five-year contract Wednesday to guide the struggling Arizona Cardinals, the Associated Press reported.


The Cardinals announced the hiring through e-mail, and neither vice president Michael Bidwill nor football operations vice president Rod Graves, the driving force to land Green, returned the Associated Press' calls to their offices and cell phones.


"He is a proven winner with an outstanding track record of success," owner Bill Bidwill said in a release.

The Cardinals plan to introduce Green on Friday at a news conference.

As reported by ESPN.com on Tuesday, Green and Cardinals officials met in San Diego for a follow-up interview after first meeting last Wednesday at the team's complex. A few hours later, after team officials returned to Phoenix to brief owner Bill Bidwill, the Cardinals made Green an offer.

Both parties were interested in striking a deal that would end Green's two-year absence from the league (he's been an ESPN studio analyst the last two years). Green has had the support, from the outset of the courtship, of Arizona's vice president of football operations Rod Graves. He then gained favor with vice president Michael Bidwill, the owner's son.

"Denny really believes he can get that thing [in Arizona] turned around," said a source close to the deal. "If he can get himself a quarterback, and they'll be in position to draft somebody like [Eli] Manning, they could win in a couple years."

It is believed Green will have considerable control over football operations. Green also was interviewed by the Washington Redskins and Oakland Raiders, but the Redskins and Joe Gibbs have an agreement and sources close to Green said Tuesday night he believes the Raiders situation could be "treacherous," even given the coach's long and close relationship with owner Al Davis.

"The attraction of Arizona for Denny is that the Cardinals' organization has had trouble winning and now a lot of people don't expect them to start winning," said Gary O'Hagan, Green's agent told the Associated Press late Wednesday. "That creates a lot of upside, an opportunity for success."

O'Hagan said the team's new stadium in Glendale, Ariz., adjacent to the Phoenix Coyotes' new ice arena, was one of the strong points of the job. The roofed football stadium is scheduled to open for the 2006 season and will host the 2008 Super Bowl.

"They need to have a winning team because they need to sell tickets," O'Hagan said. "Dennis is a proven winner and that's what the Cardinals need."

The Cardinals have had one winning season since 1984, one playoff appearance since 1982 and one playoff victory since winning the NFL title in 1947 as the Chicago Cardinals. Coach Dave McGinnis was fired after Arizona finished 4-12 last season, one of four teams with that league-worst record.

Other candidates for the Arizona job were former New York Giants coach Jim Fassel, a one-time Cardinals offensive coordinator, and current NFL defensive coordinators Jim Johnson of the Philadelphia Eagles and Romeo Crennel of the New England Patriots.

Sources said that, during Tuesday's interview with Green, the Cardinals asked him what they called "tough questions," including queries about past off-field incidents. Green is said to have been candid and, for the second time, very impressive in expressing to officials his on-field and personnel philosophies.

Green was 101-70 during his 10 seasons with the Vikings and went to the playoffs eight times.

Green becomes the fourth black head coach in the NFL, the most the league has had at any one time. The other three are Herman Edwards of the Jets, Marvin Lewis of the Bengals and Tony Dungy of the Colts.

The hiring filled the third of seven coaching vacancies, all taken by former NFL head coaches. Tom Coughlin agreed to coach the Giants on Tuesday and Joe Gibbs ended an 11-year retirement Wednesday to return to Washington.

Still to be filled are vacancies in Atlanta, Buffalo, Chicago and Oakland.

Information from ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli and John Clayton, and the Associated Press was used in this report.

[Ksyrup]

I wonder who Al Davis is going to con into thinking the Raiders job is worth taking.

[cthomer5000]

This does present an interesting situation for Oakland... who the hell is going to take that job?

bring back Art Shell.

[cthomer5000]

Just did some quick checking. Apparently Al Davis is going to meet with Gregg Knapp and Jim Mora Jr. (both of San Francisco).

Looks like he'll probably be going the first time head coach route again.

[cwilloughby]

As a Raider fan, I can now officially say I hate Al Davis. The thought was always there, but if he get's another first timer, I'll be pissed.

[Ksyrup]

I was thinking either a first-time coach who would take it simply because it was an opportunity to be an NFL head coach, or a retread who knows it would be his last job anyway and doesn't mind it if blows up, since he'll get paid and can retire (a Schottenheimer type).

He'll probably go with a young guy, so he can exert maximum pressure.

[Blade6119]

Fassel is still said to be in the Oakland running. He was the 2nd choice for AZ

[Thomkal]

Interesting they go from a coach who was all about "character" to a coach who will likely have a bunch of characters. I'm not a Green fan at all, but I suppose getting a coach with a winning record like his can't hurt my beloved Cards anymore than they already hurt. (i.e stink)

[Blade6119]

Originally posted by Thomkal
Interesting they go from a coach who was all about "character" to a coach who will likely have a bunch of characters. I'm not a Green fan at all, but I suppose getting a coach with a winning record like his can't hurt my beloved Cards anymore than they already hurt. (i.e stink)

Thomkal...the mood down here in phoenix is pretty optomistic, especially looking towards the draft and what green can do as a draft manipulator.

[cthomer5000]

Originally posted by Blade6119
Thomkal...the mood down here in phoenix is pretty optomistic, especially looking towards the draft and what green can do as a draft manipulator.

Dimitrius Underwood, baby.

[Thomkal]

Originally posted by Blade6119
Thomkal...the mood down here in phoenix is pretty optomistic, especially looking towards the draft and what green can do as a draft manipulator.

Years of pessimism as a Cardinal fan makes it hard for me to get excited, but I'll try.

Oh what are the Phoenix papers and rumor mill saying about who they will take with their 1st round draft pick at this point?

[Bonegavel]

I hope they interviewed some white guys.... oops, wrong thread.

[cthomer5000]

Fassel must be thinking "Wha' Happened?!"

I don't know if he's going to land a job at this point. What the hell is Buffalo up to? Why not bring back Marv Levy?

[cthomer5000]

this is too important to not be at the top of the 1st page.

[lcjjdnh]

Haha, sorry my bad completely. I really didn't see the other thread. Feel free to delete it but seeing as how it's sprung numerous offsrping perhaps it's better to keep it.

[cthomer5000]

Originally posted by lcjjdnh
Haha, sorry my bad completely. I really didn't see the other thread. Feel free to delete it but seeing as how it's sprung numerous offsrping perhaps it's better to keep it.

I was just screwing around. This thread probably does have the most real content, although Kodos' Dentist story is interesting as well.

[Glengoyne]

I always felt that Denny Green's reputation got sort of a raw deal. I think he is better than most of the other retreads that will get slapped on this year. That said, I am more than willing to pile on here.

I think this move will keep the cardinal's fighting relegation for years to come. Sorry too much CM lately.