Cards fire Def Coordinator Pendergast (1 Viewer)

[biggamer3]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AstP...p&type=lgns

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP)—The Cardinals fired defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast on Saturday, less than a week after Arizona played Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl.

“Like every decision, it comes down to what’s best for the team and what gives us the best chance to win,” coach Ken Whisenhunt said in a statement released by the team.

Pendergast’s departure leaves the team without both coordinators. Offensive coordinator Todd Haley was named head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday.

Pendergast was hired by Dennis Green in 2004 and stayed on when Whisenhunt took over in 2007.

“He was one of the guys retained from the previous staff and has done a good job,” Whisenhunt said. “But as part of the evaluation process that’s done after every season, I took a look at the last two years as a whole and felt this move was necessary to help us continue the progress we’ve made.”

The 41-year-old Pendergast has been a coach in the NFL since 1995, with the then-Houston Oilers, Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns.

“From a timing standpoint, we wanted to be fair to Clancy and give him a chance to seek the best possible opportunity in which to continue his career,” Whisenhunt said. “In terms of filling the position, we have some people in mind both internally and externally and will begin that process immediately.”

The Cardinals ranked 19th in the NFL in overall defense in the regular season, giving up 331.5 yards per game. They were 22nd in pass defense and 16th against the run.

Pendergast was known for using a variety of blitz and coverage schemes aimed at taking advantage of the Cardinals’ speed.

The defense struggled in blowout losses to Philadelphia, Minnesota and New England late in the regular season, but stepped up in the playoffs, shutting down the powerful running games of Atlanta, Carolina and Philadelphia in the run to the Super Bowl.

Against the Steelers, the defense played well until the last-minutes drive that ended with the touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger to Santonio Holmes with 35 seconds to play that gave Pittsburgh a 27-23 victory.

Pendergast graduated from the University of Arizona in 1990, then was a graduate assistant for Mississippi State before working on the staffs at USC, Oklahoma and Alabama-Birmingham.

 

[Avery]

This would have been completely unsurprising if the Cardinals didn't make the playoffs but considering how the defense stepped up in the playoffs it's a little more of a head scratcher. So the Cards make the Superbowl and now loose both their coordinators.

I wonder how this will affect Dansby's chances of resigning assuming he makes it to free agency.

 

[puckalicious]

Sure seems like an overreaction. Cardinals down for 2009 (assuming Warner is gone), welcome the Seahawks back as division winners?

 

[Bri]

Whisenhunt's setting the bar high, that's good.

In general I'd figure a Cards D being 19 is pretty good for them.

 

[hauser42]

Thought that he had gotten a second chance since the team got to the Super Bowl. Cards will be ready for a fall after a great season. Haley leaves for KC, Bolding is not happy and Pendergast gets released. They dont even know about Warner yet and agree that Dansby could be leaving for greener cash.

 

[Bri]

who from the Steelers (or a former steeler)is ready to be a DC but Lebeau is sorta in his way career path wise?

 

[PatrickT]

Steeler LB coach (Hunt??) was mentioned as a favorite for DC on Sirius this morning.

Edit to correct myself, Keith Butler.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Makes you wonder if Pendergast would still have his job if he hadn't let Santonio Holmes run hog-wild on the last SB drive. I thought his D did a nice job otherwise.

 

[moondog]

who from the Steelers (or a former steeler)is ready to be a DC but Lebeau is sorta in his way career path wise?

Dom Capers and Jim Haslett come to mind.

 

[{Syrus}]

Makes you wonder if Pendergast would still have his job if he hadn't let Santonio Holmes run hog-wild on the last SB drive. I thought his D did a nice job otherwise.

Didn't realize Pendergrast had suited up and marched onto the field on that last drive. Who did he replace in the lineup, Cromartie, Adrian Wilson?

 

[Avery]

Makes you wonder if Pendergast would still have his job if he hadn't let Santonio Holmes run hog-wild on the last SB drive. I thought his D did a nice job otherwise.

Didn't realize Pendergrast had suited up and marched onto the field on that last drive. Who did he replace in the lineup, Cromartie, Adrian Wilson?

Supervisors and leaders generally get more credit and more blame then they deserve but you have to apply the razor equally both ways.

 

[The Kansas Comet]

Makes you wonder if Pendergast would still have his job if he hadn't let Santonio Holmes run hog-wild on the last SB drive. I thought his D did a nice job otherwise.

Didn't realize Pendergrast had suited up and marched onto the field on that last drive. Who did he replace in the lineup, Cromartie, Adrian Wilson?

He dialed up some stupid blitzes on the final drive that didn't come close to pressuring Ben, leaving Holmes wide open for the big catch and run. Granted the secondary reacted as if they couldn't actually see Holmes, but Pendergast shouldn't have sent extra guys when they weren't getting to Ben.

 

[Chadstroma]

When was the last time a Super Bowl team fired a DC or even an OC?