Ugly is as ugly does, and Sunday in the City of Brotherly Love, it is not “love” Arizona can expect. An ugly exit that left the Philadelphia Eagles shocked and unprepared for the defensive coordinator position. Meanwhile, new Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort was reaching out to Gannon pre-Super Bowl. A charge that later showed tampering and swapping of draft picks to compensate Philadelphia. All this means a rude welcome when Jonathan Gannon goes to Philadelphia.
For Cardinals fans, Arizona could receive a beating akin to Tyson Spinks, the Detroit Pistons any night in the NBA, and the Expansion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. For those who do not know or do not remember, Tampa began its NFL tenure losing 26 games in a row. Oh yes, they also suffered 14 consecutive losing seasons from 1983 to 1996. A radical change in everything from franchise colors to a radical uniform change, led to wait for it…., winning.
A Rude Welcome When Jonathan Gannon Goes to Philadelphia
“The next game on the schedule” was his response at a Tuesday presser. Neither team has engaged in a race to the bottom but expect Eagles fans to gladly close the gap. In his wake, the former Philadelphia defensive coordinator and linebackers coach knows who his Arizona team is facing.
“I know they’re 11-4 battling for the one seed,” the head coach added. “A really good football team in all three phases. A lot of premium players, good players over there (who are) well coached and they play hard. It’s going to be a big-time challenge.” Courtesy – azcentral.com
Jonathan Gannon said it’ll be nice to see Nick Sirianni, Howie Roseman and others when the #AZCardinals take on the #Eagles, but at the end of the day, it's just another week for the head coach:
"When the whistle blows, it's compete, compete, compete."🎥: @Tdrake4sports pic.twitter.com/iJ2CyCsfOq
— Cardinals Corner (@AZCardsCorner) December 26, 2023
That’s one way of saying it.
Gannon has been an interesting watch in his inaugural season in Arizona. Nothing extraordinarily good or bad, but nothing to make you think he is a gem of a head coaching hire. He is skilled at saying the right things. His “coach speak” being as good as most. But fire and brimstone is not his thing. He wanders the sideline as if running lines in his head preparing for a media session. His decision-making has never been tested, and he is not much of a risk-taker. In a season of 3-12, what better opportunity to stretch the boundaries of the ordinary?
Gannon was not remotely impressive in last year’s Super Bowl against Kansas City. His defense gave up a flurry of big plays, making Jalen Hurts and the offense to bail out his defense. Players and fans alike in Philadelphia knew the loss was on him. Team sports being what they are, Gannon was on an island at the game’s end, knowing he’d be on a flight to Phoenix soon enough.
I couldn't believe how confident some people were on my Eagles defense preview. They absolutely wrecked us on that drive. Zone = Kelce in behind TJ. Man = Kelce beats Epps. Eagles had 0 answers on that drive. That was scary.
— Jonny Page (@JonnyPage9) February 13, 2023
Some in and close to the Eagles wonder if his imminent departure clouded his judgment when he needed it the most. It is a fair question, and his trip back to Philadelphia will be one where fans and players will remind him of a golden opportunity lost.
Ugly Is as Ugly Does, Arizona Cardinals Style
Is it unfair to judge Gannon in 2023? That depends on who you ask. The rank-and-file Cardinals fans who sing his praises will do the same for underachiever Kyler Murray.
Ugly is as ugly does. An apt description for the 2023 season and the reception Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon can expect Sunday. Boos he could very well hear if 2024 doesn’t show a stark improvement over a lost career starter.
Main Photo Credit: Syndication: Arizona Republic
