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You could argue that nobody is as dialed in to what happens in the NFL more than Peter King of Sports Illustrated.

Every week King issues his Monday Morning Quarterback column which is, quite simply, a must read for NFL fans everywhere.

But in the course of reading his 8,500-word epic, maybe missed the fact that King has listed his "top ten NFL assistants who will get sniffs for head coaching jobs in the league next year."

Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Ray Horton showed up on the list -- at number eight.

It's somewhat surprising that Horton is that low on the list. The St. Louis Rams interviewed Horton last offseason for their vacant head coaching job before choosing Jeff Fisher for the post.

And despite Arizona's current seven-game losing streak, Horton's defense has been the strong point of the team, ranking seventh in the league in yardage allowed and 11th in points allowed.

Interestingly, another familiar name appears on the list ahead of Horton. Former ASU head coach Dirk Koetter, now the offensive coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons, appears at number five.

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    FitzIsMyHero wrote...
    Im telling you!
    Cards need to do whatever it takes to keep Horton including a significant pay raise. YES a pay raise! Or even making him HC. We cant let this man leave AZ. We need him to keep his scheme here in the valley until the offense is figured out with or without Whisenhunt.
  • Abuse
    mesa mad man wrote...
    Horton
    I give you that he is a pretty good DC. Why does everyone feel that will make him a great coach? Has he been some expert talent evaluator? From what I can tell - most of these players were here before him. The ones he was here when i believe they signed (Bradley, Gay) havent exactly been stellar. The defense doesnt always look 100% disciplined either. Hes greatest asset has been his playcalling. Thats not what you want a headcoach to be doing, thats what you want a cooridinator for.
  • Abuse
    FitzIsMyHero wrote...
    The best analysts admit that
    Arizona Cardinals have a championship caliber defense. Its the offense that is holding this team back. It would be really ignorant to let Horton walk.
  • Abuse
    Guyinaz wrote...
    Defense is being exploited
    I don't know if anyone has watched the last 7 games, but each team is using the same game plan against us. They run right up the middle, open it up to play action and boom, game over. Not letting the offense off the hook but the defense hasn't exactly held when the team has a lead.
  • Abuse
    FitzIsMyHero wrote...
    @ mesa mad man
    There are a lot of good cooridinators that didnt make good HC's (Whiz being one of them) and there are a lot of good cooridinators that made good HC's. You cant make a call if hes gna be a good HC or not no matter what. I dont feel the defenses performances will decline if Horton becomes HC instead of DC. Fortunately, we dont play QBs on defense. The only thing Im excited about Horton if he becomes HC is that I know he will hire a OC who will run the ball first and pass 2nd (being that he is a defensive minded coach and he knows a offenses ability to run the ball hurts defenses big time).
  • Abuse
    mesa mad man wrote...
    @FitzIsMyHero
    You went from saying to keep him at all costs, to saying he may or may not even be a good HC. I get what you mean, but thats why I dont see how he would even make that much of a difference. You say he would install a ground game (remember - thats what we thought Whiz would do too coming from pitt), but how can he if he doesnt have the players to do it. Unless he is out there scouting offensive talent and calling the plays to have them be successful, that wouldnt solve any of our problems.
  • Abuse
    SurpriseMe wrote...
    must keep ray
    Horton goes we would have to trade Fitz and many other players cause hopes of winning Superbowl would be gone. Show the fans and more important show the players you are series and keep Horton
  • Abuse
    FitzIsMyHero wrote...
    @ mesa mad man
    Whiz and Miller havent even given the run game a chance bro. You know as well as I do that Whiz's attack is pass first and run 2nd. The playcalling has been so bad that defenses know when a run is going to happen. LSH had 100+ yards his last couple of starts. Don't laugh, but I think, LSH is capable of being a starting back because of his ability to break off that 40+ yard run. But we'll never know cuz they dont stick to the run. Wells is a goal line back -PERIOD-. Williams is a injury bug. Powell, again, they havent given him a chance to keep pounding away.
  • Abuse
    Chuck H. wrote...
    @Fitz
    You dont know squat about what Horton would or would not do as a Head Coach. We have a proven winner in Coach Wiz. Granted, this year has gone to crap, and there are a multitude of reasons as to why - not just the HC. I will agree, if it takes paying Horton more money... like the $1mil Dallas did to keep Garrett, then do it.
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    CardzGoHard wrote...
    What A Crucial Situation 4 Us
    Its going to be a roll of the dice on this one. if we lose 12 straight and lets also not forget that Seattle Miami and New England all feel like they should have beat us that would be 4 and 12 could have easily been 1 and 15 the only dominant game of the season was against a pathetic eagles team. Then we have to seriously consider cleaning house. We cant afford to miss on this draft this free angency period or the small window which these Coordinators are available including Horton.
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