Report: Cardinals fire Whisenhunt, GM Graves
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Arizona Cardinals fired head coach Ken Whisenhunt and general manager Rod Graves on Monday, according to NFL.com.
The Cardinals, who started the 2012 season with a 4-0 mark, lost 11 of their final 12 games to end with a 5-11 record.
Whisenhunt went 45-51 in six seasons with the Cardinals after being hired in 2007. He led the Cardinals to the Super Bowl after the 2008 season, losing to the Steelers, and a playoff appearance in 2009.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Things went downhill from there for Arizona, which compiled two 5-11 seasons around an 8-8 mark in 2011. The main reason for the struggles was the team's inability to final a franchise quarterback after Kurt Warner retired following the 2009 season.
The Cardinals sent cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a second-round pick to the Eagles in 2011 for quarterback Kevin Kolb. Arizona gave Kolb a five-year deal.
However, Kolb was inconsistent on the field and dealt with many injuries since arriving in Arizona.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In 2012, the Cardinals ended up using four quarterbacks -- Kolb, John Skelton, Ryan Lindley and Brian Hoyer.
Graves, who has been with the franchise since 1997, led the team's personnel department from 2003 through 2012.