Big Red Rage - Gannon Takes Over

State Farm? Talk to an agent today at eight hundred State Farm, And by Arizona Cardinals Podcasts visit Acy Cardinals dot Com, Slash Podcasts, The Reds, Rising Guard, Temperaturizing Vision, flurring, rage taking over. Here's Paul Calvci. I'm ready. I'm one hundred percent ready. I'm telling you i'mready. And Ron Wolflee, it doesn't get any better than that boy, unleash the far So. After meeting, interviewing, and spending a little time with a brand new head coach, Jonathan Gannon, you know

what I did next? Wolf? What was that? BOLLI? I immediately went out to the practice field here at Cardinals HQ, and I hit the blocking slat Oh stop, and then I set up the tackling dummies like ran through the tackling dummies. I gave a couple of them the forearms shiver. Let me tell you something. I am ready to come off the ball on this very special edition head Coach edition of the Big Red Rage, presented by Santan Ford

and Gilbert. We are Santan Ford, and I might need to pace myself here in the offseason, but you know what, that energy today was infectious and boom. I was ready to go. You're ready to hit him high, hit him pie Pipe. I'll give you the effort, Ron wolf I'll be the try hard guy. If nothing else, you can bring the analysis here that was already me. I was the try hard guy. Folly, you can't have that one,

I know. Okay, So here we go, Ron Wolfley, there, Paul kelvc here and in front of the media, meeting the media and the red seat Jonathan Gannon, and we will hear from the head coach a little bit later. Yes, we'll go one on one a little bit later and we'll do that meet and greet. But first let's get a few impressions. First impressions based on his opening press comments, Ron wolf Lee, what says you, man, PAULI, where do you begin on this one right here. First of all,

I like his demeanor. I like the fact that he wasn't way up here. I like that. I know that he's a high energy guy, but I like the fact that he was more even keel for the most part coming into this. You know what, he's an excitable guy. I love the fact he said it's also very humbling, and I think that was one of the reasons why it was very even keel throughout the entire press conference, to me, was because he knew what was going on. He knew the moment was huge. Even though he's a

high energy guy and he's an excitable guy. The humility that he displayed realizing what was going on at this press conference and the fact that he's forty years old and here he is a head coach and the National Football League guy. I loved the context of this, Paul, and I love the quiet confidence that he conveyed when he said, we're going to win games. Don't get it twisted.

We're going to win games. And he let that hang, you know, Like you said, he looked like he'd been there and done that before, even though he's a first time head coach and we're gonna ask him about that. Just you know, was he nervous. I mean a lot of those first time head coaches meeting the meeting, he certainly didn't look it. And the more he spoke and the more he answered questions, the more I understood, Okay, this indeed is a good fit. This is what they

were looking for. You understand how many boxes he checked. In fact, the owner, Michael Bidwell, he spoke a little bit about that about how everything aligned. I think he came in with a vision and plan that the vision aligned with where we want to be about getting back to the top of the NFC West and competing in January and competing to get to the Super Bowl and

win it. So that's number one with a vision, his plan he outlined, it's the view that he had of our elite quarterback and getting him back to being the playmaker that he is. Think of some of the big boxes that Jonathan Gannon checks, his philosophy and approach with Kyler Murray, especially working the last two years with the

jail and Hurts. The accountability issue that Michael Bidwell identified going into the offseason maybe the driving reason why significant changes were made in the organization at GM and head coach. You then look at the energy and leadership he brought today, right, and then the final thing is the more he spoke, you just come to realize. Okay, he was an integral part of taking a four win team two years ago to the Super Bowl. Yeah. So if anybody's been there

and done that, look what he did. You know Nick Sirianni and that staff with the Philadelphia Eagles. Yeah, you know, I thought it was cool that Michael actually reference that the plan and the vision that he thought Coach Gannon had. And for me, when I think about that, the plan and the vision Paul, I can hear him saying, we need to be adaptable, right, So that's what we need. We need adaptable, we need violent, we need explosive, we need smart. I love the fact that he had this

four point vision, so to speak. That he emphasized that to me really got me jacked up because that says what the plan is and what the vision may be going forward. Because Baali can have all the schemes in the world, of course, but you got to populated with human beings. And you know what when he said that, and the room was loaded with Cardinals players, they're a bunch in the front row, including Kyler Murray. There were

a bunch in the back. Byron Murphy was next to me in the back because we were doing live coverage before and after so Boom. I'm trying to get a view around some of these big players and almost all the players added a couple of fist pumps in there as he put in, you know, as he said the word violent, explosive, and smart. You know, I think maybe inside manti Astinfort was cheering as well. In fact, he was asked the Cardinals due GM, why Jonathan Gannon. Ultimately,

our process led us to Jonathan. Jonathan's energy when he entered our room. It was NonStop from the beginning. His reputation as a leader, his ability to connect to players, to staff, to the rest of his coaches, his ability to work with a personnel department and provide a vision for the type of players that we're going to go out and seek. It was apparent that Jonathan shared a lot of the same values that I value and that

Michael values. In fact, Michael Bidwell said at one point that he was a little subdued Jonathan Gannon based on what he was like during the interview. I was like Okay. You know, man, what's the energy level going to be like when they get out there on the grass. So you know, you tell me, Wolf, I mean, to what degree do you believe team takes on the personality of its head coach? And how significant is that? Yeah, Paully, it does. There's no doubt he's an aggressive guy. He

really is. I can tell just by some of the words that he uses, the fact that he actually used violent, He used that right there. We all know. It's within the context and the paradigm of playing the game of football once you step in between those white lines. But that is a strong word to use, Paul, even inside that paradigm, that is a strong word to use in it. To me, it's like saying I love you, okay, it's it just makes me feel good because that is the

game of football. When you step in between those lines. You've got to step in between those lines with some bad intentions, and it's okay, because it's all right to do that inside those lines. And then you step outside those lines and you love people and respect him and treat him better than yourself. Paul, You've heard me say this for years. It's just the truth. It's one of the things that I love the most about the game.

And man, just listening to Jonathan Gannon, he taps into that, and that tells me they're gonna go out Paulie and they're gonna look for players that fit that mode, no doubt. In fact, he was on NFL Network and they asked him about his offensive philosophy because and we're gonna get into this a little bit later. You know, yes, he's a defensive coordinated the last couple of years, but he has a very definitive sense of what he wants on

the offensive side of the ball. And in response to one of the questions, he said, and I quote, we're gonna throw it over people's heads and run it down people's throats. Wait, that's a great line there. So that's

to your point. That just further illustrates your point. Well, look, we've all seen the video of him in his truck pulling up to the Eagles facility before the NFC Championship game and then rolling down his window, right, and he was egged on by a lot of the fans like Jared and he yells out, we're gonna bleeping gut these guys to me, and we're gonna ask him about that when we have him on here momentarily on the big red ray Sean I thinking, but to me, him rolling

down his window, that's really a window into his personality. Honestly, I think that's who he is. That's aw ultra aggressive he is as a coach and a competitor. What are you saying, bully that words matter? And you know that they do. And again, it's one thing to say it. Now you got to go out and you got to back it up. You got to mean it, because many times you can actually see a guy and you can get a little mesmerized by the guy's talent. You can bully.

There's no doubt about that, there's no denying that. And a lot of times you forget that. The game of football is not played just by athletes. It's not played by people that have a ton of talent. It's also a combination of toughness that you need as well. There's got to be some standard in each player of toughness, some level of toughness that you need to bring into that locker room that can go out there and then use that talent inside that paradigm that incredibly physical, aggressive,

tough paradigm known as an NFL football game. In order to tap into all that talent, you got to have a monicum of toughness. And that's something they're going to be looking at and trying to balance in every guide ball, every guy Paul they bring into that locker room, they're gonna have to balance that. And you know what, as a head coach with a scouting background as well, he's got an eye for that sort of stuff. In fact, he was asked Jonathan Gannon on the one characteristic each

member of the team will have. I know Monny and Michael have heard me say this multiple times. Everybody that we bring in here or that is here or that will be a cardinal, will have elite football character because you will not hit your ceiling if you don't have that. And what I mean by that is is you have to be team first, and that's how we're going to build this team. He said. It goes back to when he was a kid, his coaches, his dad. It's not

about you, it's about the team. That was another answer he gave. That's just part of the DNA of how he goes about running a football team, and it goes back into the whole accountability thing that Michael Bidwell, Manias and fort we're looking for. Because look, leadership takes different forms.

We know that, and his style of leadership I think is going to be not only a modern style where it connects with the players, but there's gonna be some old school aspects of it as well, where there's gonna be a lot of tough love and some significant expectations that it's not just about you, and a lot of guys are gonna be asked to do things and maybe aren't going to help them all that much in their contract negotiations, but it'll be better for the team, no doubt, Paulie,

And that got me excited. I really did. What are the possibilities that are out there? Right though? First of all, it's every guy. This is what he made it a point of emphasis to say every guy that we bring in here is he's got to have elite football character. Pollie,

That to me, I love that kind of terminology. You have a culture, you have a way that we do things around here, and every guy that we consider, we're going to drag him through that culture and see if he actually makes it to the other side before we bring him in here. I love that mentality and I hope they stick to that with the elite football character. Well, on the other side, here on the big Red Rage,

we're gonna meet and greet Jonathan Gannon. Next we'll ask him about accountability, his playing for Kyler, right, his vision for the offense. You know, we'll ask him about the video of him rolling down his window right shouting out. Eagles fans. By the way, join the season ticket priority list. Check out the opponents because you'll get your seats and the ability to select your seats before the general public. We're talking that Giants, Cowboys, Ravens, Falcons, and Bengals all

on easy Cardinals dot com slash priority List. I am extremely excited today to be in front of you and I have the honor of introducing Jonathan Gannon as the next head coach of the Arizona Cardinals. Just know this, We're gonna be adaptable, we're gonna be violent, we're gonna be explosive, and we're gonna be smart and all three phases go into that. And we will maximize the talents of the players that we have, and that's how we're gonna win games. And don't get it twisted. We're gonna

win games, Adaptable, violent, explosive, and smart. The vision, the blueprint, the DNA of the Arizona Cardinals going forward. And when those words were uttered, I was standing in the press conference room next to a bunch of players, and every one of them nodded, a couple of them fist pumped. And now we have the man who said those words, who now leads the Arizona Cardinals onto the field of

effective immediately. The eleventh head coach in Arizona Cardinals history, Jonathan Gannon, joins us on the Big Red Rage presented by Santan Ford in Gilbert Coach. Welcome and congratulations. Thank you, Paul. I appreciate it. Excited to be here and excited to get ready to work. Were you nervous at all? I got to ask you one question. I've seen a lot of press conferences, a lot of first time head coaches, right, you didn't appear to be nervous whatsoever, even with all

the cameras in the packed auditorious Yeah. No, I you know, the last two years in Philly, that's a tough media market, so I kind of got baptized by fire. But no, I think you just answer questions what's your what's in your head, and what's in your heart, and if you're honest, you don't have to worry about what you're saying. And

so that's how I kind of do it. But it's an exciting time obviously to be in that but I've been in that setting before, obviously not as a head coach, but you know, it's part of the job, all right. So tell me about the emotion of the moment because we can talk about what's straight ahead and we'll talk about that all offsea. But you're now one of thirty two after fifteen years in the NFL. What was it

like to be offered the job. Yeah, it's it's it's exciting, but it's humbling, you know, because there's a lot of good coaches that helped me get to this seat, and uh maybe that never had gotten an opportunity to do now what I'm doing, but you know, you just you're very it's a it's a grateful moment because of all the people that helped me get here, and I'm so grateful for working for all those guys and learning from all those people. But uh, you know, really excited, really grateful.

It's really humbling. What do you think landed you the job? What are your strengths? I would say, you know, just sitting down with Michael and Mannie just talking about the vision of how I want to build a team and play, and I think my strengths would be is I care about the players. And I've done a good job in my career so far of getting to maximize the players and you know, and get them to hit their ceilings.

But you know, ultimately it's servant leadership. You got to you got to care about the players as people first then as then as players, and you want to see them do well, you know. And I think the other thing that they really liked, and I think that it helped our defense and Philly was to explain to them and tell them the reasons why that the team goes above themselves. It's not about you, It's about the team.

And you know, when they understand how they fit in and their role that they fit in to the defense or to the team, they can accept that and really be very productive and be a star within their role. And that's what you're looking for. However, many guys you got up on game day, are we are you a starring your role, and your role can change from week to week. It can go up, it can go down. But as long as guys recognize that, then they're on

board with what you're asking them to do. There's high accountability and ultimately you got to go out and play good football. Jonathan Gannon is our guest on The Big Red Rage. According brand new head coach, when the season ended and changes, the roommate Michael Bidwell cited accountability and need to improve. He cited that in hiring you, that's job number one. How do you define accountability? Especially from a player's perspective, winning behavior? So what I mean by

that is there's there's winning behavior. Will show them exactly what that looks like and hold them to that standard. And ultimately that's what your culture is. It's your daily actions on a day to day basis of how are you improving your process? How are you getting better as a player? And the accountability And you heard me say that in the presser was you know, I think people sometimes cringe because they think that's a negative word. It's it can be, but it can also be in more

so used in a positive way. There's positive accountability. Hey, this is what we're talking about that's winning behavior right there. That's what we need to keep doing. Good job, And so the players will they'll know that for us, but we're we won't shy away from conflict. We'll show them this is what winning behavior looks like and this is what it doesn't and we need to improve these things or we'll lose. And you're coming off an operation where you went from a four win team to the super

Bowl in two years? What did you learn? What did you learn? What can you apply immediately from what you were just part of accomplishing in Philly? Yeah, process driven, being very enthused about what you're doing, and high accountability and high communication and everybody. When everybody's on the same page and they understand their role, how they fit into the team, then it allows you to do your job at a high level. And so that's what I would say.

That's why I say about Nick. You know, that's what he did a phenomenal job about. And then you know, the backburner to that is is being adaptable. You know, we started going out one way and we changed because it wasn't working. Then we got it going a little bit and then it wasn't working and we changed or then we doubled down on some things that we know to be true too when it was working, or maybe if it wasn't working, Hey, we know, sooner or later

the results will come. We gotta keep doubling down on our process. So just the clear vision that Nick had for everybody in that organization how to win games. What's your vision for Kyler Murray? Michael Bidwill cited that was a big factor in you're hiring maximizing Kyler, getting him back to the playmaker we've seen him be. What sort of relationship do you envision, especially as a defensive head. Come, yeah,

We're gonna have a great relationship. You know, he's he's a direct reflection of me, you know, and he's the player that position, is the player that's most like a coach on that field because he touches it every snap. But you know, the vision that we have for him is is to maximize his skill set. And say, well that's kind of general. No, it's not. He can throw it over your head, he can beat you on first, second, third level throwing it, and he can beat you on

the first, second, third level running it. And when you have a type of player like that, well that's what we're gonna do. We're gonna When you have to defend a guy like that, it puts the defense in conflict and you can't do everything that you want to do as a defense because you know that he can beat

you different ways. So with him understanding, I'll work hard with making sure that he understands from a defensive perspective, Hey, dude, you're not gonna get this because they can't run those calls because of this, or you're gonna get a lot of this because of who you are. So what's our plan for that? Because I know they're gonna spy you. I know they're gonna three man rush, two man rush, four man rush, and they're gonna spy you. So that

stresses out the coverage. So that's make sure we're doing a good job with that. A lot of different things that we'll talk about as we get going, but he'll have a very very clear understanding of how he needs to operate running the offense and what defenses are going to try to do to stop him, because that is best. He keeps up defensive coordinators all night. Yes he does. He was one of the hardest guys to prepare for this year. I mean That's why I say he's a

legit problem. And although you're looking for an offensive coordinator, you have a vision as to how you want to play offense. I no doubt, yeah, and I'll and I will definitely, I'm gonna talk to a lot of people. I got some good guys in mind, but you know it goes into being adaptable. I don't want a system guy,

I really don't. I want a guy that's been in multiple systems because I wanted to be able to sure that I want to be sure that we are maximizing Kyler and the other players on our offense, not just Kyler. You know James Connor, Rondell, Hollywood, Zach, all those players who you know, how DJ Humphreys. We don't need to slide to this guy can block anyone in the world one on one. Let's slide the other way. Whatever we're doing, you got to put together the plan that maximizes everybody,

not just Kyler. So I wanted to be the Arizona Cardinals system, not this guy's system from nineteen eighty that was passed down for forty years. We're not gonna play offense like that. Jonathan Gannon is our guests you're wrapping it up on the big red rage when you roll down your window and shouted out the Eagles fans before the NFC Championship, what you wanted to do to the Niners? To what degree? Was that a window into your personality?

A little bit? A little bit. I normally keep my feelings close to the vest um, but I was feeling it that morning and there was guys, you know, beeping at me. Let's go, JG, Let's go, JG, Let's go, and uh rolled down my window and that's what I was feeling. So that's what I said. So I'll always be myself. I'll always be honest. But you know, I have a I have a way in my brain that how I want to play, and uh, you know, not like that, but uh, you know, it's a it's a contact,

physical sport. And that's why I use the term violent. We're going to be a violent team. And you've already been honest with Monti Austin Fort. Oh yeah, oh yeah. I don't know if Michael loved it, but Minie loved it. You guys went back and forth on the roster. Oh oh yeah, oh oh yeah. We went back and forth on the roster because you're scouting background. Correct, you feel equipped? Right? Oh yeah, oh yeah it was. It was a really good conversation. Well, Monnie has called that the lifeblood of

any organization. You have to have that organizational alignment between them and the head coach. How much did you research the Cardinals? They obviously researched you. What about the other way around? Yeah, a lot. And I had to do it quick, you know, so, and I actually did it as the interview was going on and as we paused too, so uh, you know, it was all good stuff. And I'm just, you know, so grateful to be sitting next to Michael and Monnie and the three of us getting

this thing going. Well, we really look forward to it. Wolf and I right, we've been doing this show for a long time. We always go to Johnny's on Fulton, which is right across the street from Saint Rocos where you were married. Sir, so many such a small world. Welcome on board, Thank you so much. I appreciate it.

Congratulations to Jonathan Gannon. There you go. We'll come back and continue with a big red rage presented vice Santan Ford in Gilbert Cardinals with a chance to make it one possession game if they can get it in here going for two snapped the Kyler looking right now back to the middle, Now runs to the right, being chased, backing up at the twenty, looking still dancing around, pointing, still holding the ball like as street ball in the back yard. He's still got it. Runs right to the ten,

pud's left to the five, and he's gonna store. Oh my goodness, Kyler, murray on a player that took about a minute somehow gets into the end zone for two points. This is the entertainment capital of the world, and I don't think I've ever seen a two point play as entertaining. Is that, I have never seen that before in my life. Hey, you know what, Kyler, sit down and do the unit right now, because that is unbelievable. Circus Circus coming to life in Vegas. I mean, just the reaction on the sideline.

I'll never forget that took so long, and I think the next gen stat was he covered eighty five yards of real turf in going from A to B to C to the end zone on that two point conversion and just a reaction and how much time all the defensive players had to get off the bench should actually come to the white stripe and J. J. Watt's reaction a singular play by Kyler Murray, who was a singular talent in so many ways. It is the big Red

Rage presented by Santan Ford in Gilbert. We are Santan Ford, Paul kelvc Ron Wolfley, just joined by the Cardinals brand new head coach Jonathan Gannon wolf I don't know, maybe a reaction or two or what stood out to you just after that conversation. I know you had a chance to talk to him one on one earlier and during your radio show. Yeah, Paul, you know just the fact he is very very specific when it comes to an

offense and an offensive coordinator. He's got somebody in mind, and he's very specific as to what this offense is going to look like going forward with Kyler Murray being built around Kyler Murray. That to me, I'd love to get into more detail on that, but I don't think we're able to do that because we don't have a grease board in front of us. Well, I'll tell you what he was asked the question of the press conference as well, and here's what Jonathan Gannet had to say

about a new OC. That's step one. We're starting to look at some different candidates and looking at interviewing some people here in the next four to eight hours. But I have a very specific vision of how I want to play on offense, and the person that comes in here to run the offense is going to understand that everything that we do will be structured around the quarterback position to maximize his skill set. And we have an

elite one and that was this morning. By this afternoon we had national reports out there are three reported candidates who will interview for the Cardinals offensive coordinator position, Drew pets and Brown's quarterbacks coach Drew Tarrell, Washington wide receivers coach. He's thirty one years of age. Joel Thomas, Saints running backs coach. So what's interesting to me, and he reiterated in our conversation here on the Big Red Rachel PRESENTI by Santan Ford and Gilbert, is he really does have

a vision for the offense. It's almost as if he's reverse engineering it. He's trying to find the OC that's going to best fit his vision. I know on the radio side, didn't he tell you Wolf that he plans to live in eleven, twelve, and thirteen personnel. Right, that's right, PAULI no fullback. As a matter of fact, kind of chuckled right now. That's exactly right, Polly. But again, um, it's gonna be very interesting to see what they do

here because I love his philosophy. I love the fact that he's talking about this offense being something that's going to have to evolve. He's got a specific idea of what he's looking for and the best thing is being adaptable. Paul. I'm going to come back to this often because you've heard me say this over and over and over again. You need to be whatever you need to be in order to beat your opponent. That's what you need to be.

And when I heard him say that, schemes change, you know we're gonna we're gonna mix it up on the offensive side of the ball. We're gonna be adaptable. We're not gonna be dogmatic about a scheme that we're gonna run, or an offense we're gonna run. We're gonna be what we need to be to beat somebody. And I'm paraphrasing him,

but Paul, you've heard me say that for years. That is a big deal to me, of everything he said everything he said today, to me, it was the adaptable comment that got my attention because he also went on to say, you know, just in general, it's not my way or the highway. It's and he said, I'm not gonna be that coach. We've always done it this way, you know, right. And he went on to say, and he's pretty point in comment that if that's your mindset

in today's NFL, you will die. It's either adapt or die, because they even become predictable. If you just have that one way of doing it, it's too easy to gain plan against. So it doesn't make much sense. And I know, you know, he rankled a lot of the Eagles fans by saying he doesn't necessarily have a scheme. Well, right to your pointing, you've been saying it for years. It's a must. You have to do what is necessary to match up and defeat the opponent on a week by

week basis correct. So yes, police, So again, stop and think about that. What does that mean? That means? Listen, if you if your opponent has a weak rush defense by way of example, guess what you got to be able to do. You've got to be able to run the ball and exploit the fact that they don't have

a good front seven. If you're if you're facing a defense that struggles in the secondary to cover people, whether it's physically or a lot of mental errors, they blow a lot of assignments in the secondary, whatever it is, you've got to be capable of saying, Okay, this week, guys, we're going to attack the secondary because that's the weakness of this defense, and you flip it over. He was

talking about from a defensive perspective as well. He was saying, hey, listen, four three, you know, three to four, we'll run the defense that we need to do. Zone. Do we need to run some press man, do we need to run that in feature that this week? Or is it going to be more zone this week? You know what that means, Paulie. You gotta go ahead, and you gotta get guys who can fit in that scheme. You gotta get guys that

can do that. But it's really interesting the adaptability that comment to me told me that this guy's got a clear understanding of what it's going to take to win games in the future. And make no mistake, he feels like he has the guy at quarterback. Here's Jonathan Gannon when asked about Kyler Murray. Obviously played against Kyler this year and it was a unique game plan to put together because of his skill set. And you know, I use the term he's a problem to defend because what

he can do. He's a legit problem for defenses. And you heard Gannon here on the Big Red Rage say just how much sleep defensive coordinators lose trying to game plan for Kyler Murray. You got to get Kyler back to that, back to where he was the legitimate NFL MVP candidate over the first half plus of two thousand twenty one. He's got to recapture that and then think

about the other openings that were out there. Wolf. I mean, if you're Demiko Ryans in Houston, Frank Wright and Carolina, you know, if you're Shane steike In in Indianapolis, you know your quarterback's name. First name is Jack, last name is Squat. So here you go. You got Jonathan Gannon and he has an appreciation that he has a franchise quarterback in the fold. Yeah, Paul, No, it's absolutely This is one of the reasons why I wanted a defensive

minded head coach. I preferred that it's just because he's got that built in separation immediately with Kyler Murray. Hey, Kyler, you know what, You're the quarterback. I'm the head coach on this team. And I don't see a defensive minded head coach sitting every day in the quarterback room, the quarterback meeting room with the offensive coordinator going over everything with Kyler Murray during the season. Now, during the offseason, of course, I see a lot of meetings like that,

There's no doubt about that. But I love the fact that he can also present Kyler a defensive perspective, Paul. He can tell Kyler Murray what defenses are trying to do to him to stop him, and he's got a very unique perspective on that. And that's one of the reasons why I love a defensive minded head coach. And then finally, Paul, I love the fact that he comes

from the Philadelphia Eagles. Look at their offense. Remember, Paul, there was one offense that was so similar to the Arizona Cardinal's offense and a lot of the things that Kyler Murray does very very well, and it was the Philadelphia Eagles and Jalen Hurd's offense. The similarities were there, so you know, Jonathan Gannon had a front row seat

to that. He understands the power of that new age offense, the elements of it, and how to mix it maybe with the old traditional offense that really has the power to turn Kyler Murray and this offense into something special. Right, So he's a defensive head coach. Let's revisit his answer moments ago here on the Big Red Rage. We asked Jonathan an and what he expects from his relationship with Kyler. Yeah, we're gonna have a great relationship. You know, he's a

direct reflection of me. That position is the player that's most like a coach on that field because he touches it every snap. The vision that we have for him is is to maximize his skill set and say, well that's kind of general. No, it's not. He can throw it over your head. He can beat you on the first, second, third level throwing it, and he can beat you on

the first, second, third level running it. And it's his job to maximize that, get that out of Kyler on a week by week basis, to put that fear into defensive coordinators like he lived it in Week five where the Cardinals early lost to the Eagles at home, And your point about that game, Well, if how many times did we watch that Eagles offense with Jalen Hurts and say, oh,

that's innovative, Hey, Kyler can do that? Yeah? Right, how many times we watched Jalen Hurts, who, by the way, had an epic offseason last year and went from a pretty good quarterback who got blown out in the playoffs to the second team All Pro quarterback in the NFL behind Patrick Mahomes, who took his team to a super Bowl. So if maybe, just maybe he had Jonathan Gannon witnessing what Jalen Hurts did last offseason, he can share some

of those best practices with Kyler Murray. That's right, Paulie. No, absolutely, And you know what. The other thing, I just want to say this quickly as well. I love the fact that Jonathan Gannon referenced Nick Sirianni as well and gave him some props for also helping to develop him. I like the fact that he did that. Nick Sirianni prepared Jonathan Gannon to be a head coach, and he gave him credit for that. He said he was hard on him. Paul.

I love the fact that he pointed to that said he was hard on him, and he was detail oriented, but he always had his back. These are the life experiences that shape any head coach going forward, and I like that. I was watching the Colts press conference with Shane steike In, the former Eagles offensive coordinator. He was asked for his takeaways working under Nick Sirianni and how they turned around a four win team to the Super Bowl. The first thing he said, and I quote Sirianni, did

an unbelievable job of holding people accountable. If something isn't right, something has to be said. That's your job as a head coach. And I said, ding, ding, ding. If Jonathan Gannon, if that's his main takeaway and the Cardinals are suffering from an accountability problem, you see the fit, You see that alignment. You see why he is the current Cardinal's head coach. Back with Moore on the Big Red Rage presented by santan Ford in Gilbert back to Pasco's doll one.

First down fires over the middle of the ball is tipped in the air and picked off of the thirty yard line, running left to the twenty Marco Wilson to the ten, he high stepped and then he does a flip into the ends over the cutdown, Marco Wilson with a pick six and the Cardinals take the league twenty the fourteen Dalton straight drop back throws over the middle and a one handed interception by Isaiah Simmons in midfield runs it back to the left of the burning had

the thirty, had the twenty five, had the twenty head Simmons in back come back intercept, he returns for cutdowns by the Cardinals at the end of the half. Oh my goodness, want to play. Isaiah Simmons just standing there in his own room on the middle of the field, put his hand out his right hand and picked it off and then he hit the jets. There's that sub four four of Isaiah Simmons touchstyle, baby and the crazy athleticism that was on display in that big win against

New Orleans on Thursday night. Two of the young pieces on that defense, Isaiah Simmons, Marco Wilson. The question is where will they play here in two twenty three. Now, Mark Wilson's a corner obviously, where he's going to rank in the pecking order, we'll see about Byron Murphy, Isaiah Simmons got his most snaps at slot corner, Ron Wolfley, Paul Kelveci. It is a big red rage presented by

Santan Ford in Gilbert. What do you think, Well, if if you're a betting man, do you believe Isaiah Simmons continues to get his most looks and snaps and reps at slot corner or is there another spot on this defense for him eventually? Yeah? You know what, Polly, I think maybe the edge and I know that it's because Hassan red Eck is well. We all know that Jonathan Gannon is coming from the Eagles and Hassan Reddick. But the similarities are definitely there between Hassan and Isaiah Simmons,

two very very explosive athletes. And you have to wonder if Isaiah Simmons, with all the things he can do, if you stick him at edge, how good could he possibly be? Well, Jonathan Gannon was asked about Isaiah Simmons and how he will be used all different ways. We're gonna use guys skill sets to present matchup problems. That's adaptability. When I talk about adaptability, I'm talking about our people

in mind first and then who were playing. And it's a little bit of a chess match with schematics of how you need to do that, all while keeping it simple for your guys so we can go out and play fast and be violent. You just want to get to the point. This is me. Now, this is me. If a quarterback breaks the huddle and the first thing he looks for is Isaiah Simmons. Yeah, that, you know, just that X factor. I don't care where you use him.

I just want him to be that game changing sort of factor out there that I really do believe he can be. He has the measurables, obviously, you just have to figure out a way to unlock it. And really curious to see, just as much as how Kyler flourishes under this new coaching staff, what is in store for Isaiah Simmons. PAULI, No, that is a great point, It really is, because I want to see it. You know what I want to say. I want to see them take Isaiah Simmons and I don't care where it is.

Just stick him there. Just just let them get wraps and say this is your position, and we expect you to make plays at this position. It's one of the reasons why as an edge I'm looking at the edge and thinking, hey, listen, that would be kind of cool, especially if you could get will Landerson and put him on the other side. You know what I'm saying. Anyways, you get my point. But Isaiah Simmons is a guy

that needs to take another step forward. And this is one of the pluses about having a defensive minded head coach as well, because of all the young guys that I think really can take the next step in their development as a defensive player, Isaiah Simmons certainly comes to mind first and foremost. I would say Xavian Collins as well, taking yet again another step forward in his development as well.

He did it all last year. It was a very incremental advance for xaban Collins, but it definitely happened last year where he was getting better incrementally, but he was getting better as a inside linebacker, and we want to see him continue with that development. Marco Wilson another young guy. They've got young guys, some good defensive player, Buddha Baker, Are you kidding me? Just off the Jalen Thompson. They've

got guys that are great playmakers. And Jonathan Gannon is going to have a little something to work with here, and there's something that he has in store for every player, and it's called accountability. He was asked about that player accountability is simply this. You got to define what winning behavior is and hold people to that standard. It's as easy as that. It's your daily actions with what you're doing on a daily basis to improve yourself as a

player and as a team. And accountability is just not a negative, it's a positive too. So when people do the right thing, that shows that's winning behavior. And you're going to see that our guys, we're gonna love him up as hard as we're going to be on our guys. We're gonna love him up even more. And he said, the ultimate accountability is when you feel that responsibility your teammate, and it's that relationship in the locker room and in

the huddle that holds you accountable. And you've talked about that at length. Yeah, Poullie, it's so true right there. Accountability. I love the fact he took the positive angle on that as well, because everyone thinks that's what it is. You just walk up and say, dude, you're killing us what are you doing here? It's not just that, it's also reinforcing positive behavior and good behavior. It's reinforcing that and I love the fact he's got a clear delineation

on that. By the way, well, Jonathan Gannon, former Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator last two years, called the Cardinals defense. Not sure on that yet. That's going to depend a little bit of a makeup of the staff. You know, I got a really good blueprint in Philly of how that went with the head coach and how he adapted to make our team better. So I'll figure that out

as we come. And if you're using Nick Sirianni as a blueprint, he came over from Indie where he called plays, but he delegated that the Shane Steichen, who was now the head coach of the Colts. So although he definitely had the ability, he outsourced that and he just became the CEO and head coach and did not call plays. So I could see it going either way with Jonathan Gannon, Yeah, no, I'm with you on that one. PAULI. Yeah, I will

just throw this in here. He was very complimentary when I said, Mike Zimmer, what do you think of Mike Zimmer. He didn't confirm anything. He did not do that. He

didn't confirm anything, but he was very complimentary. Paul Well, and it sort of makes sense if you're going to bring in a former head coach a lot of experience and a first time head coach has that ability to lean on him, Mike Zimmer not unlike a Cliff Kings with Vance Joseph, who, by the way, reportedly is interviewing with the Eagles now for their defensive coordinator spot and the Broncos for their DC gig Vans Joseph, So that might dictate exactly where the Cardinals are on defense right

because Vans Joseph is under contract next year and it's still a possibility he could be on the Cardinal sideline again. Yeah, and Paula, can I just say from a personal perspective, and I know you feel exactly the same way. I hope he gets it. I hope he gets that because Vans Joseph deserves good things. Man, He's a good coach, and I think at some point in time that's a guy who will be a head coach again. Totally agree.

You know. My one final takeaway was when Jonathan Gannon said he has already disagreed with Manias and fort Yeah, they disagreed during the interview a couple of times. You heard him during our interview here, And so I like that. I like the fact that, you know what, you have a GM and a head coach. You're already comfortable enough. They don't feel like they have to. You know that they can actually tell each other their true opinion on something and veted out, hash it out, and usually that's

for the betterment of the organization. It is Paul discourse. There's nothing wrong with that. There are so many philosophies, so many beliefs in regard to the game of football. You're never gonna be one hundred percent aligned anywhere. So

I'm with you on that one. I like it all right. Well, a reminder, the Pashpod is up there, and if you haven't listened yet and you need a good laugh here if you're looking for something you're jones in after the super Bowl and we got a long way to our next NFL game, It's the Pashpod with Frank Caliendo, Available now via your preferred podcast provider. Get the latest updates via Twitter at pashpod Special Thanks to Jonathan Gannon once again.

Congratulations and welcome to the Cardinals new head coach joining us here. We got a nice window in his personality, some of his thoughts and plans, and now he plans to go about his job once again. Three offensive coordinator candidates to be interviewed in the next four eight hours, according to reports. Special thanks as well Jim Almohundro and Cody Fincher Fron Wolflee on Paul KELVC. This has been

the Big Red Rage presented by Santanford and Gilbert. We are santan Ford number one til You've been listening to the Big Red Rage presented by Santanford in Guilder, Are you Santanford State Farm Talk to an agent today at eight hundred State Farm And by Arizona Cardinals Podcasts visit acy Cardinals dot com Slash podcasts. This has been an exclusive presentation of the Arizona Cardinals Football Club.