With the Arizona Cardinals 0-3 after they were expected to be one of the NFL's most improved teams, you can't blame coach Buddy Ryan for getting confused.
While discussing his last-place offense Tuesday, Ryan forgot which team he was coaching."I think you're going to see a different Eagle offense next week. I hope you do," Ryan said.
Asked if he meant the Cardinals, Ryan said: "I mean Cardinals. Get the right place, whatever it is."
Ryan coached the Philadelphia Eagles for five seasons from 1986-90, compiling a 43-35-1 record.
Ryan was sure the talent level with Arizona was much higher than his 1986 Eagles, who finished 5-11. He said the offensive line was Arizona's strongest unit and boasted that the worst Cardinals lineman was better than the best who played for his first Eagles team.
But after three games, the Cardinals are 25th in the NFL in passing (172.7-yard average) and rushing (69.3) and 28th in total offense.
Although the offensive line has taken most of the heat, Ryan said he was auditioning players at every position.
"We're looking for anyone who can help us," he said.
He cut the 53-man roster to 51 on Monday, releasing a rookie cornerback and fullback Frank Harvey, a seventh-round 1994 draft choice. The number dipped briefly to 50 Tuesday when Ryan gave offensive tackle Mark Vander Poel a choice - a pay cut to minimum wage, or the highway.
Vander Poel, a fourth-year pro hired after Indianapolis waived him this year, took the pay cut. Ryan said he saved $200,000 by forcing Vander Poel to accept the $163,000 minimum salary for a player with his experience.