Something was noticeably absent from new Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur’s introductory press conference. It wasn’t as optimistic or hopeful as all introductory press conferences. This is not a conversation about family and being in the right place.
It lacked something that is present in many new coaching introductions – bravado.
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LaFleur showed real humility in one particular moment when he could have been projecting confidence, even arrogance.
LaFleur praised the Cardinals’ process for hiring a new head coach. “The way you’re doing it shows me that you want to get things done,” he said.
What he could have said is that he knew they were doing the right thing. This is what Steve Wilks said in 2018. He told his introductory press conference that he knew they had made the right decision. LaFleur could have said, “You’ve got a winner in town,” like Buddy Ryan did in 1994. Denny Green has a winning percentage chart. LaFleur could have looked to his offensive highlights as a coach.
He didn’t.
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What did he say?
“I’m not saying you did it right – I hope you did it – but you ended up putting in the time and the effort and the detailed process to get to where you had to get to, so I’m really grateful, and I know it’s not easy.”
No promises. No statement has been made regarding his honor. It all has to do with the coach he plays for and his attitude towards his players.
Does this mark a different era? Probably not, but it’s unlike anything Cardinals fans have seen before.
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: No bravado in new Cardinals HC Mike LaFleur’s introduction
