TEMPE, Ariz. -- Bruce Arians proved during the first week of free agency that a coach's appearance can make as much of an impression as his personality.
Fortunately for the Arizona Cardinals' head coach, both worked in his favor last week.
"Well, he had a nice hat on when I saw him on TV," new linebacker Sean Weatherspoon said. "And he told me that the hat is something that was charitable, too. He's doing some good things in that aspect of it, but that's the same hat that my dad wears.
"So, I was like, you know what, he seems pretty cool."
Defensive lineman Corey Peters had never spoken to Arians before signing with the Cardinals on Wednesday.
"But just looking from the outside in, he seems cooler than a fan. You know what I mean?" Peters said. "Just watching the interviews and he has his hat. He just seems like a cool guy."
Once the trio of Arizona's free agents who had never played for Arians got a chance to meet him, their perceptions of the 62-year-old quickly became a reality. They saw first-hand what those around Arians have known for a while.
"He's awesome," new guard Mike Iupati said. "I think I'll have a lot of fun playing for him. He's a players' coach and I just think the players have a lot of respect [for him] as a person, so I'm excited."
Weatherspoon could tell immediately Arians doesn't sugarcoat anything.
"He seems like a guy who shoots you straight, looks at you in the eye when he talks to you," Weatherspoon said. "That's something that I always look for when I'm meeting people. He seems like a guy you would like to play for and work with."
And it didn't take Peters long to realize Arians was who he thought he was. He knew as soon as he began talking to him in Arizona. But Peters had the benefit of a little inside information.
Two of his college teammates, defensive lineman Ricky Lumpkin and running back Alfonso Smith, both played for Arians and filled Peters in on who Arians was away from the cameras.
"I'm right there," Peters said. "I'm still of the same beliefs."
