Phoenix Chooses Shurmur to Run Defense : NFL: Former Ram coach says he will implement his 3-4 zone system.

Fritz Shurmur, fired by the Rams four weeks ago, landed on his feet Wednesday with the Phoenix Cardinals, who hired him as their defensive coordinator.

Shurmur, 58, who spent nine seasons with the Rams--eight as defensive coordinator under Coach John Robinson--replaces Joe Pascale, who has been offered another position on Shurmur’s defensive staff but has not yet said whether he will accept.

Reached in Phoenix Wednesday, Shurmur said he had other possibilities to coach in the NFL--possibly as the Cleveland Browns’ defensive coordinator--but chose Phoenix because of his closeness to Coach Joe Bugel and belief in the rebuilding program Bugel began last season.

Shurmur and Bugel were the Cardinals’ final two choices for the top job last off-season.

“I know the people in this organization very well, and I’ve worked with Joe before,” said Shurmur, who broke in with Bugel as NFL assistants with the Detroit Lions 16 years ago. “And I’m excited about the fact that it’s a system that I think is moving in the right direction. They’ve made some real strides.”

Shurmur said he will immediately begin implementing his 3-4 zone system, something the Rams have decided to discard in favor of new defensive coordinator Jeff Fisher’s attack defense. Shurmur said that even though the Rams are devoted to undoing a system he spent eight seasons building, he understands.

“John and I went through a lot together there,” Shurmur said. “The way I think of it, we took it from the ground, with a bunch of help from other guys, and we got to a level where we were in the playoffs and competitive just about every year.

“But the fact that we didn’t have a very good year kind of stirs the competitive juices in me and makes me not want to have that as the last thing I’m remembered for.”

In the Rams’ plan to change defenses, some of Shurmur’s favorite players, such as defensive lineman Doug Reed and safety Vince Newsome, were set free as Plan B free agents. Shurmur, while cautioning that he doesn’t have the power to sign players, didn’t deny he was interested.