Tag: Vance Joseph

Dolphins seek interview with Cardinals DC Vance Joseph for head coaching vacancy

Joseph could garner interest from multiple teams to be their head coach.

The Miami Dolphins fired head coach Brian Flores following the conclusion of their season. They have interest in Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.

According to SI.com’s Albert Breer, the Dolphins have put in a request with the Cardinals to interview Joseph for their head coaching vacancy.

Joseph has coached for the Dolphins before. He was defensive coordinator in Miami in 2016 before he was hired as head coach of the Denver Broncos.

With how Arizona’s defense has performed most of this season and improved over the three seasons he has led it, it was inevitable that he would begin to garner interest.

This is the first of what could be several interviews.

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Dolphins request interviews with Cardinals DC Vance Joseph and Cowboys OC Kellen Clemens

Miami adds an up-and-comer and a coach with experience to their list.

Since the Miami Dolphins fired Brian Flores on Monday, they’ve requested interviews with Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, and Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.

Tuesday evening, the team put in two more requests, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, as they’ve inquired about Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.

Moore transitioned from quarterback to quarterbacks coach in Dallas in 2018. Since then, he was promoted to offensive coordinator and has survived a regime change with Mike McCarthy replacing Jason Garrett as head coach.

With a healthy Dak Prescott this season, Moore’s offense put up the most points per game (31.2) and yards per game (407) this season. Those numbers are impressive, but one would have to wonder if he could replicate that success without the stars around him.

It is interesting that Moore was a lefty quarterback like Tua Tagovailoa. That probably doesn’t mean anything, but it’s just something to remember.

Joseph, on the other hand, has head coaching experience, as he was Denver’s head coach from 2017-2018. During his tenure, the Broncos finished 12-21 and failed to make the playoffs.

Those in Miami may actually remember that he was the Dolphins defensive coordinator before he made the jump to Denver. That season, Miami went 9-8, and their defense was slightly below-average in points allowed per game (24.1) and poor in total yards allowed (381.7).

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Revisiting Arizona’s multiple defensive sub-packages

Revisiting how the Arizona Cardinals and defensive coordinator Vance Joseph are using sub packages to create opportunities in the passing game.

Last season, Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph found ways to use his personnel to frustrate and confuse opposing offenses in passing situations. He turned to a few different sub packages, sometimes rolling out a personnel group with zero defensive linemen, six linebackers, and five defensive backs, to pressure passers and clamp down on throwing lanes.

With the playoffs approaching, and the Cardinals starting to enjoy some success on the defensive side of the football again, it is a good time to revisit these packages. In 2021, the Cardinals have relied more on a 1-5-5 package in these situations, using one defensive lineman, five linebackers and five defensive backs. These groupings allow him to try and confuse the offense both pre- and post-snap, while finding ways to pressure the passer, use favorable numbers in coverage, or both.

Vance Joseph, Adrian Wilson vetted as top minority head coach, GM candidates

The Cardinals could lose Wilson and Joseph this offseason to promotions with other teams.

Every NFL offseason, the head coaching carousel begins. It happens with general manager positions as well. This coming offseason, it will be no different. There will be vacancies.

Also occurring every year is the discussion about the lack of minority hirings for those positions.

The NFL is trying to improve that. According to USA TODAY Sports’ Mike Jones, the league provided all 32 teams with a list of 11 vetted minority head–coaching candidates and 20 minorities who should be considered for front-office positions.

Two Arizona Cardinals appear on that list.

For head coach, defensive coordinator Vance Joseph makes the cut. He has improved the Cardinals’ defense each of the last two seasons after the first year in 2019 was a struggle. He was head coach of the Denver Broncos previously.

For general manager and other football operations positions, Adrian Wilson, who is the team’s vice president of pro personnel. He has moved up the ladder within the organization from being a scout to having no real title to having an important one.

An interesting omission is Quentin Harris, the Cardinals’ vice president of player personnel, who is essentially the No. 2 to GM Steve Keim.

Many in the building believe Joseph could land a head coaching job this offseason, although he has said he isn’t looking for one. He will be particular about the next one he gets.

If either were to land a coaching or GM position, they would be big losses to the Cardinals, but they would be rewarded. Currently, the league awards draft picks to teams who have minorities who get hired as general managers or head coaches.

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Report: Bears already looking at coaching replacements to succeed Matt Nagy

Remember, it’s only early November. But according to an NFL insider, the Bears are lining up potential candidates to succeed Matt Nagy.

Remember, remember, it’s only the fifth of November. But according to one NFL insider, the Chicago Bears are already lining up potential candidates to succeed Matt Nagy. At the top of the list? Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.

NFL insider Benjamin Allbright joined Jon Zaghoul on Sports Talk Chicago this week and says the Bears are getting a list together of potential head coaching candidates they would like to interview, even though Nagy still has a job.

Allbright says Nagy is “100 percent” fired at the end of the season though.

“From my conversations with people, the [Bears] have already started doing backgrounds on potential replacements,” Allbright told Zaghoul. “I’ll say Brian Daboll would be the leader in the clubhouse.”

The report that the Bears are already getting names together for if/when Nagy is fired isn’t all that surprising, but is welcoming news. Regardless if a change is made or not, the team should have a short list put together for potential interviews when that time eventually comes.

It’s also notable that Allbright mentioned Daboll as the top name in mind. Two weeks ago, he tweeted a similar claim that the longtime coach would likely be the Bears’ top choice if a change were to be made.

Daboll has coaches various positions with multiple NFL and college teams over the last 20 years, including stints with the New England Patriots, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, Alabama Crimson Tide, and now with the Bills. He’s currently coordinating the top scoring offense in the NFL with MVP-candidate Josh Allen and has been with the team since the 2018 season.

His offenses with Buffalo have ascended in each consecutive year, as well Allen’s development from a project quarterback into a superstar. Last season, the Bills finished with a top-five offense in nearly every statistical category as they captured the NFC East division for the first time since 1995 with a 13-3 record.

Daboll is an excellent offensive coordinator, but would he be an effective NFL head coach? Allbright seems to think so.

“I’ve spoken with coach Daboll a few times, he’s a nice guy…I believe in him,” he said. “I think he’s probably the best hire in this coming offseason.”

Allbright also mentioned the Bears could give an interview to Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator and former Denver Broncos head coach Vance Joseph, but maintains his belief that Daboll would be their top choice.

There’s still half a season to go and nothing is truly certain in the NFL, but perhaps the Bears make a quick work of their head coaching decision this winter.

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Vance Joseph found the nicest way possible to describe a struggling Texans offense

The Cardinals DC found ways to make the abysmal Houston offense sound almost dangerous.

The Arizona Cardinals will take on the Houston Texans this weekend. Houston is arguably the worst team in the NFL right now. However, as coaches do, Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph found a way to make them sound like a tough opponent.

Houston is averaging the second-fewest points in the league at 15.2 per game. With Davis Mills starting at quarterback, they have scored 34 total points in four games. In three of them, they have been held to nine or fewer points.

But if you listen to Joseph, the Texans are a real threat.

“I see a young quarterback that can make every single throw. He’s very bright,” Joseph said when he addressed the media on Saturday. “It’s a run-first offense with three really good backs. It’s a scrappy offensive line and they have a big-time receiver in (Brandin) Cooks.”

Every NFL team is obviously talented. The Cardinals can’t afford to overlook anyone. These are the exact things that Joseph should say about the Texans.

However, the only real threat the Texans have, if you peel away the almost forced adjectives, is Cooks.

He is the one bright spot on the Texans’ roster.

Yes, this is a game the Cardinals should and will win, and they should beat them handily.

But this might be the nicest way ever to describe a team that is just awful in every way right now.

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Why the Arizona Cardinals’ defense is the secret to their 4-0 start

The Cardinals’ offense is the talk of the league, but don’t overlook the impact of Vance Joseph’s defense on the NFL’s final unbeaten team.

Going into their Week 4 matchup with the Rams at SoFi Stadium, the Cardinals knew exactly what they were up against. Arizona hadn’t beaten their NFC West rivals since Week 17 of the 2016 season, when Bruce Arians was their head coach, and current Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury was coaching some guy named Patrick Mahomes at Texas Tech. And this wasn’t your daddy’s Rams with Jared Goff at quarterback — the Rams, of course, weaponized Sean McVay’s passing game with the offseason trade for Matthew Stafford, and that had already provided a massive difference in that offense. Kingsbury’s offense is up to the challenge against any opponent with Kyler Murray in charge, but if the Cardinals were to get off this epic schneid, their defense would have to step up something fierce.

It’s an underrated defense that has the Cardinals as the NFL’s last undefeated team, a title they held after a 37-20 win in which Stafford was limited to 26 completions in 41 attempts for 280 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and a passer rating of 89.5 — by far his worst this season to date. It’s an underrated defense because in 2020, the Cardinals ranked 10th in Defensive DVOA, but there wasn’t the kind of lockdown, coordinated defense you can count on from week to week. Multiplicity had players at loose ends at times, and though defensive coordinator Vance Joseph certainly knows what he’s doing, it didn’t always show up on the field.

This year is very different. The Cardinals rank sixth in Defensive DVOA, and third against the pass, behind only the Bills and Patriots. They rank sixth in the NFL in third-down conversion rate allowed, up from 12th in 2020, and while they’ll give up the occasional touchdown in coverage, when you’re averaging a league-high 35 points per game, giving up 21.3 points per game, ninth-best in the NFL, makes the math work just fine.

When a defense moves from situation-neutral at best to an absolute reason a team is undefeated through four games, it’s a good time to look at how it was contracted, and why everything is working so well. In the case of the Cardinals, it’s a lot of moving parts coming together at the perfect time — coaches matching scheme to personnel, young players jumping several floors in their development, and smart veteran additions to the mix.

Vance Joseph reiterates that Malcolm Butler’s retirement was for personal reasons

The Cardinals DC indicated Butler was playing well and had a big role in the defense.

When the Arizona Cardinals take on the Tennessee Titans this coming Sunday in Week 1, it was originally going to be a reunion for cornerback Malcolm Butler, who spent the last three seasons playing for the Titans.

However, his sudden retirement changes that.

The initial report was that he was dealing with a personal situation. It has been speculated that perhaps it was related to his role on the team or related to football.

Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph clarified that Thursday, telling reporters Butler had an important role on the team.

“It was a surprise for all of us,” he said. “He was a big part of what we were doing defensively. His experience showed every day. He was getting better and better within the package. He made some plays. Obviously, he’s a good tackler. He plays the ball very well.”

Butler was slated to be the team’s third cornerback, coming in for nickel defenses.

Joseph reiterated the retirement wasn’t about football.

“He’s taking care of some personal stuff and that’s important,” he said. “Obviously, football is a big part of his life, but his life is more important than football.”

Joseph noted he is “not sure” whether Butler would return to the team later.

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Potential free agent target for Cardinals: DL Shelby Harris

Should Arizona bring the underrated Shelby Harris to the desert and re-unite him with Vance Joseph?

In a continued look at free agents the Arizona Cardinals could look at signing, we look at defensive lineman Shelby Harris.

Harris would make a ton of sense for Arizona, given his history in working with Vance Joseph. Though he’s not likely to be considered a “splash” signing, given Arizona’s lack of defensive line depth, it might be a smart one.

Harris does not seem to offer a ton of upside in the pass rush area, as he had 2.5 sacks this past year and his previous high is six in 2019, but was considered by many Broncos fans to be a pivotal piece of their defensive line, although to some Denver fans, he is a bit of an enigma. He also added 32 combined tackles.

He had an excellent PFF grade this past season with 88.3, meaning he impacted the games far beyond sack totals.

He could wind up being a cheaper option (given the lack of cap space), and could step in right away, already knowing Joseph’s system.

Spotrac estimates he would get around $10M per season and that Arizona would be the best fit actually. He could slide in right away as a starter at DE, alongside Jordan Phillips and perhaps Corey Peters (if re-signed) or Zack Allen.

Harris may not have the upside of a defensive tackle such as Leonard Williams, but he would be a solid addition to the defensive line rotation for Arizona.

What are your thoughts? Should the Cards re-unite Vance Joseph with Harris?

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Vance Joseph wants to be head coach again, but isn’t in hurry to leave Cardinals

“I want to do it again, but it has to be the right job for me.”

The NFL head coaching carousel has begun this offseason, as the New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, Los Angeles Chargers, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars all have vacancies. Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is a former head coach and has helped the Cardinals’ defense improve over the two years he has been with the team.

While his name has not come up yet in any reports for the current vacancies, he does want another shot to lead an entire team.

However, he isn’t just going to go after the first one that comes up. He likes where he is at with the Cardinals.

“I do want to be a head coach again, but I a not overambitious about it,” he told reporters in Week 16.

“I’ve done it before. I think, for your second time around, you’re really cautious about which job you want to take,” he added. “There are only 32. They are all good jobs, but not all are great fits.”

Joseph ascended relatively quickly. He was a position coach for a decade but, after one year as defensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins, he landed his head coaching job with the Denver Broncos. He went 11-21 in two seasons before getting fired and then landing in Arizona as defensive coordinator.

He is very happy right now with the position he has.

“I think, having a great job here, having a great head coach to work with, a great owner and a great GM, I’m in no hurry to move on,” he said. ‘If a job comes up and it’s a good fit for me, I would love to have another job, but I’m not overambitious about it.

“I want to do it again, but it has to be the right job for me.”

Only two years removed from his what many would call a failed shot in Denver and with the Cardinals defense not considered one of the league’s best, he likely will not be on any teams’ radar yet this year, but if the defense makes strides next year, it could give him another opportunity soon enough.

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