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AP: 232322d4-f82a-4a58-9e6d-899babd5d6cf
Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano, left, celebrates with offensive coordinator Bruce Arians after their 28-16 win over the Houston Texans in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
listen Listen: Ron Jaworski, ESPN NFL Insider
What does he think the AZ Cardinals should do at the head coach position? Plus, NFL playoff talk! And, his thoughts on Manti Te'o and Chip Kelly.

The Arizona Cardinals are one of eight NFL teams that needed to find a new head coach this offseason.

As of right now, they're only one who has yet to do so.

More than a half-dozen names have either been connected to Arizona or interviewed by the team, and while some may be getting a bit anxious over the Cardinals' search, ESPN NFL analyst Ron Jaworski said they're handling their search the right way.

"I think you need to be patient, I think you need to interview all the top candidates, which is exactly what the Cardinals are doing," Jaworski told Arizona Sports 620's Burns and Gambo Thursday. "But at the end of the day, the bottom line is you have to make the right choice.

"You don't have to make the first choice, as far as it goes, but I think at the end of the day you have to get a guy that you're comfortable with."

Where that will lead the Cardinals is anyone's guess. Having already interviewed Ray Horton, Todd Haley and Jay Gruden, the team this week spoke with Darrell Bevell and Bruce Arians.

The team appears to be leaning towards an offensive-minded coach, and while that may be the way the NFL is going, Jaworski said it's not so much about offense or defense as long as the guy can lead a team.

Jaworski believes Arians, who met with the Cardinals Wednesday night and had an official interview with them Thursday, is exactly that type of guy.

"He would be a tremendous head coach," Jaworski said.

The analyst said he's known Arians since he was a coach at Temple in the 80s, and has watched him grow as a coach ever since.

"I've watched Bruce grow, work with Ben Roethlisberger, Peyton Manning, develop his own philosophy about football," Jaworski added. "He is a strong leader of men.

"Players that are around Bruce Arians have great respect for him. What he did in Indianapolis this year was unparalleled."

Jaworski is referring to Arians' role as interim head coach for the Colts, which is a title he assumed when head coach Chuck Pagano was diagnosed with leukemia. Arians guided the team, which was led by rookie quarterback Andrew Luck, to a 9-3 record in his time as the boss.

"I think Bruce Arians would be a tremendous choice as a head coach."

Adam Green, Web Content Editor - ArizonaSports.com

7 Comments   |   Join the conversation »
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  • Abuse
    BirdmanKickedYourAZ wrote...
    Breaking News
    Bidwell admits head coach search is fake
  • Abuse
    DisgustedD wrote...
    Who is Bidwell
    HaHaHa just messing with you. I think Arians would be a solid hire, I am curious who the OC or QB coach would be & if Juan Castillo is somehow involved. Although I wouldn't mind Bevell either.
  • Abuse
    FitzIsMyHero wrote...
    Arians
    has more experience than Bevell and I think that Arians would attract more "experienced" cooridinators to come here and work with him. Bevell is appealing, but, he'd have to bring in his own guys who are all probably newbies as to where Arians is connected, has relations with other coaches, and just knows ppl.
  • Abuse
    mesa mad man wrote...
    Greg Roman
    The more I read and the more I ponder, I think Roman is our answer. He is the innovative offensive mind equal to that of Horton. He has built an offense around Alex Smith that took advantage of his strengths, then re-built that offense midseason around Kaepernick. Despite the grumblings that the lockerroom could split with the change, they didnt. Is that a credit to Harbaugh or Roman? Who knows.
  • Abuse
    DisgustedD wrote...
    MMM
    Great points brutha but I think having Arians would be solid in the fact that he's worked with Horton before & knows not to F with the D except for depth purposes. Arians can come in, assess the QB/RB?O-Line situation & realize that's what he needs to work on.
  • Abuse
    mesa mad man wrote...
    @DisgustedD
    wouldnt disagree with you - and wouldnt be upset with an Arians hire (i was all on his bandwagon yesterday), but i do think Roman could do much of the same. Look at the offensive lines he has had at Stanford and then with the Niners. Not too shabby at all.
  • Abuse
    Patrick Peterson's Talent wrote...
    Arians
    I'd be totally fine with the Arians hiring. If we could somehow keep Horton, I'd be very happy with the direction. Then again, I'm not sure Horton has much of a desire to stay here very long since the Cards clearly don't think he's HC material. I like that people are bringing up Greg Roman - I'd be very interested in his ability, especially if we try to pursue Alex Smith in the off season. Regardless, I like that the Cards aren't panicking and taking their time to get the right HC in place.
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