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In his most recent Monday Morning Quarterback column, Peter King named current Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Ray Horton as one of the most likely NFL assistant coaches to be named a head coach next season.
Horton is now in his second year in Arizona after spending the previous seven with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and while the Cardinals have struggled in 2012 it is hard to place much blame on his defense. Through 11 games Arizona has been fantastic defensively, ranking seventh in the NFL in total defense and 11th in scoring defense, allowing just 327.9 yards and 20.6 points per game respectively.
In the process, second-year cornerback Patrick Peterson has become an emerging star this season with four interceptions, while linebacker Daryl Washington is having an All-Pro type season as well. Washington ranks in the top 10 in the NFL in both sacks (nine) and total tackles (95).
Last off-season Horton interviewed for the vacant St. Louis Rams' coaching job before it was eventually given to Jeff Fisher.