Rumor:Cards targeting Horton to run defense

[grotonsteel]

[url="http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/41478039/ns/sports-player_news/"]http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/41478039/ ... ayer_news/[/url]



According to Mike Jurecki of XTRA Sports 910 in Phoenix, the Cardinals are zeroing in on Steelers defensive backs coach Ray Horton as their next defensive coordinator.

Jurecki is alone on this one, and he stopped shy of reporting it as hard news. Steelers LBs coach Keith Butler, believed to be Arizona's top choice, was apparently denied permission to interview. While Butler is seen as the eventual successor to Dick LeBeau, Horton has made it clear that he would welcome the opportunity to run his own defense in another locale. Horton stated last week that he's comfortable with the 4-3 or the 3-4 defense, though it seems coach Ken Whisenhunt wants an overhaul to the LeBeau-style 3-4 scheme.

Can Whiz hire some guys who are not related to Steelers??? Atleast he went after the weakest link on Steelers Defense.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Rumor:Cards targeting Horton to run defense

Take my DB coach...please!

[Ghost]

Re: Rumor:Cards targeting Horton to run defense

Take my DB coach...please!

You are old (and apparently so I am for getting this reference....)

[steelblood]

Re: Rumor:Cards targeting Horton to run defense

This would be fantastic news! How quickly do you think Tomlin would call John Lynch?

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Re: Rumor:Cards targeting Horton to run defense

This would be fantastic news! How quickly do you think Tomlin would call John Lynch?

wow. that would be alright with me.

[ScoreKeeper]

Re: Rumor:Cards targeting Horton to run defense

Horton talking to the Cowboys.

[NW Steeler]

Re: Rumor:Cards targeting Horton to run defense

C-YA!!!!!!!

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Rumor:Cards targeting Horton to run defense

Horton talking to the Cowboys.

On Sirius NFL Radio 2 Minute Drill a little while ago, they reported that Horton turn down Arizona to accept a position on Rob Ryan' defensive staff in Dallas.

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Re: Rumor:Cards targeting Horton to run defense

amazing our secondary coach is wanted even though our secondary has been torched for years.

[costanza2k1]

Re: Rumor:Cards targeting Horton to run defense

Raiders are also looking at Horton...they probably don't know why they are, they only know 2 other teams are looking at him so they must as well.

[NW Steeler]

Re: Rumor:Cards targeting Horton to run defense

This from the Steelers official Facebook page:

Arizona is denied permission to interview LB coach Keith Butler. Arizona, Dallas both get permission to interview DB coach Ray Horton.

Is something else in the works regarding Butler? I wonder if we may see some real turnover in the coaching staff, such as DL and BA both leaving. Not that I think that either or both of them leaving is a good thing or not, but I guess we'll find out.

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: Rumor:Cards targeting Horton to run defense

Steelers Coaching: Key assistants now in focus

Tuesday, February 08, 2011
By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette



Peter Diana/Post-Gazette
Steelers defensive coordinator D!ck LeBeau talks with Aaron Smith during afternoon practice on the South Side last month.


ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Steelers probably will have to endure more than just a loss to the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV. There is a good chance they will lose several of their assistant coaches, including one of their coordinators, as well.

The most significant possibilities involve their coordinators -- D!ck LeBeau and Bruce Arians -- each of whom is in the final year of his contract.

LeBeau is expected to return for his eighth season as coordinator in 2011, though not before another NFL team takes what might just be a whimsical run at his services.

But, the situation with Arians, the offensive coordinator since '07, is a bit more tenuous.

Despite running an offense that became more balanced with the production of Rashard Mendenhall and saw the quick development of young receivers Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown, it is possible Arians won't be with the team next season -- a move that will dramatically affect quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

Roethlisberger has been given almost total command of the offense under Arians and has developed a close personal relationship with him and his family.

LeBeau's situation could have an impact on other coaching moves, too.

The Arizona Cardinals will seek permission this week to talk with linebackers coach Keith Butler about becoming their defensive coordinator, though not before LeBeau's old friend -- Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt -- checks to see if LeBeau is willing to listen to an offer.

Nobody is expecting LeBeau to leave the Steelers because he is so loyal to his players and, in turn, beloved by them.

And he said last week, during the lead-up to the Super Bowl, "I promise you, if I'm coaching [in 2011], it will be the Pittsburgh Steelers."

That's why, in all probability, the search for a defensive coordinator will turn to Butler, who has been the linebackers coach since 2003.

But there is some question if the Steelers will grant Arizona permission to speak to Butler because of an agreement the team made with him when he signed a new contract after the '09 season.

When Butler turned down an opportunity to become defensive coordinator with the Miami Dolphins last February, the Steelers signed him to a new contract with the understanding he will be the "coordinator in waiting" for when LeBeau eventually retires.

Coach Mike Tomlin has always indicated that he will not stand in the way of an assistant who can better himself professionally.

But, because of the nature of Butler's new contract, it's possible the Steelers could refuse to let him interview with the Cardinals.

If that happens, the Cardinals will probably interview secondary coach Ray Horton for the position because they are seeking a LeBeau disciple to run their 3-4 defense. Horton has been with LeBeau since their days with the Cincinnati Bengals.

[url="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11039/1123799-13.stm"]http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11039/1123799-13.stm[/url]

[kindlecatsb'ng]

Re: Rumor:Cards targeting Horton to run defense

Aloha, HS:

I love the pic of your little one. What is the pedigree? Too cute!

Kindle

[msp26505]

Re: Rumor:Cards targeting Horton to run defense

Take my DB coach...please!

You are old (and apparently so I am for getting this reference....)

That's three of us.

[Crash]

Re: Rumor:Cards targeting Horton to run defense

Butler denies that there is any "deal" to succeed LeBeau.