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In less than two weeks from the time this article was written, the Arizona Cardinals' 2012 season will be over.

At that point the franchise will have some important decisions to make, not the least of which is what to do at head coach.

Do they keep Ken Whisenhunt, who in six seasons with the team has won a pair of NFC West titles and taken the Cardinals to the Super Bowl? Or do they fire a coach whose career record is 45-49, and has gone just 18-28 over the last three seasons?

They are the same guy, after all.

"The realization that [Whisenhunt's] entering the last year of his contract, when you start to do that then you start to say 'OK, is it time to do the extension,'" ESPN NFL insider John Clayton told Arizona Sports 620's Doug and Wolf Thursday. "And if they don't do the extension and they start to review things and look at this season there might very well be a change."

"I think it'd be a mistake because I think he's too good of a coach to let go, but I think you can understand the circumstances."

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Clayton mentioned the team's recently-snapped nine-game losing streak, which came a season after the team had a six-game skid, which came a season after a year where the Cardinals had a seven-game slide -- along with the failed acquisition of Kevin Kolb -- as possible reasons the franchise may look to make a change.

"Those things, unfortunately, are going to be held against him," Clayton said. "Should he be fired? No. Will he be fired? Maybe."

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  • Abuse
    FitzIsMyHero wrote...
    The thing is...
    This team needs a new direction at GM, HC, and all the offensive staff. The GM and HC work together acquiring players whether you want to believe that or not. Whiz's, who is in charge of the offense, and his Offensive Staff, have done a terrible job at preparing, scheming, and pretty much coaching the offense in general. 18-28 the last 3 yrs speaks for itself. On the other side of the ball, Horton who is in charge of the D, has played the crap out of his players. They bust butt and play very well. What is Horton doing better than Whiz to where his players and Unit are that good?
  • Abuse
    Lee A. wrote...
    Should Probably Stay
    I don't say that because Clayton feels this way but if he stays, it needs to be with some changes - as in, Miller and Grimm need to be let go with a new OC and O-line coach and Whiz needs to let go of some (a lot?) of his personnel decision powers. They've done a nice job of getting players for the defense the last 2-3 years but interestingly, defense isn't Whiz's strong suit (we hear) so whoever is make those calls (Washington, Peterson, Acho, Williams, etc.) needs more input on the offensive side.
  • Abuse
    FitzIsMyHero wrote...
    The thing is 2...
    Hes doing everything better than Whiz with his Unit. After almost 2 yrs they are a playoff caliber defensive unit. For some reason, Whiz and his offense have stalled and not progressed from being the worst offense in the NFL for 3 years now! We're in a situation where the offense just needs a change of direction, because, the direction we are headed in is not working. And thats not a bad thing! It doesnt mean we'll be worst. The offense is as bad as it gets. Whiz has been unable to pick them up from the ground. He literally has no idea what he is doing. Their performance supports that.
  • Abuse
    DrSublime wrote...
    OC
    Whiz isnt the biggest problem, heck he isnt a problem at all he's a fantastic coach the problem is Mike Miller (and this is Whiz's fault for not having a better OC) and ROD GRAVES get rid of those two dorks and the Cardinals will turn it around. replay Miller with Haley and Graves with Polian
  • Abuse
    FitzIsMyHero wrote...
    @ Lee A.
    That makes no sense whatsoever. What you are talking about taking away from Whiz is what Head Coaches are supposed to be very good at. Take that away and what are you left with? A guy to call timeouts and stuff... @DrSublime the 2 dorks are Graves and Whiz. The GM and HC work hand in hand to acquire players and coaches to build what they think to be a "contending team". The last 3 years, both of their decisions have been garbage. The both of them need to be fired, period. Its time to move forward in a new direction.
  • Abuse
    shava wrote...
    DEVELOPMENT
    When you can't develope offensive players you shouldn't keep your job. :)
  • Abuse
    Japricka_Joe wrote...
    MICKEY MOUSE
    Mickey Mouse could be a great head coach if he has the players. Wiz was lucky to have Warner at QB when they went to the Super Bowl. Warner and Co was on the field and they went to the Super Bowl. These people PLAYERS & COACHES are the most overpaid people in the world. NOBODY is worth the kind of money they get. Shut down the NFL and let them all go get real jobs !
    J.Joey
  • Abuse
    AZtoTX wrote...
    Would Ownership
    Consider hiring John Gruden, or Jimmy Johnson, Bill Cower? Taking a step back and let them do their thing. It would ignite the fan base, give hope after 3 dismal seasons, and also bring some top tier UFA's to AZ.
  • Abuse
    BirdmanKickedYourAZ wrote...
    Heard Ray Horton on Doug and Wolf
    Ray is savvy, deals well with the media and most importantly - has had unbelievable success with this D. Whiz on the other hand has not handled the media with grace lately, screwed over a leader with a ridiculous disproportionate fine and has done NOTHING without Warner. Whiz should be fining and benching himself. BEG RAY HORTON TO BE THE NEXT HEAD COACH
  • Abuse
    FitzIsMyHero wrote...
    I agree with AZtoTX
    if they get someone big to GM and HC the Arizona Cardinals it could lure some big name FA to come to AZ to be part of a "positive" change. And what I mean by "positive" change is a step in the right direction. Think about it. What talented offensive free agents are going to want to come to this team next year with Whiz as head coach? They're going to look at his last three years here and be automatically turned off. Its evident that Graves and Whiz have no clue what they are doing offensively. Defensive FA that do want to come here because of Horton are scared to because of the offense.
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