Russ Grimm's coaching style abides by two guiding principles: Put your players in a position to be successful and make sure they put forth the effort.

Seems simple enough. It's the same stock answer most coaches give when asked about their philosophy or how they can help their teams win.

Grimm, the Cardinals' offensive line coach, has proven his effectiveness in fulfilling both of those ideals, serving as the chief of security for two Super Bowl quarterbacks - first winning Super Bowl XL while calling protections for the Steelers' then-second-year QB Ben Roethlisberger and then advancing to Super Bowl XLIII last season with his Cardinals and veteran QB Kurt Warner.

His approach, though, doesn't resemble that of the stereotypical O-line coach: the über-intense guy who grabs his players by the face mask to yell instructions.

"I'd say that maybe Russ isn't as in-your-face as most coaches get," Cardinals OG Reggie Wells said. "Russ just expects you to go out there and get your job done. Anytime you have a coach like that, you want to go out there and bust your butt for him."

In an age where it's become fashionable to hire coaches young enough to still be playing in the league, it's become almost unique for a player of Grimm's accomplishments to patrol a sideline.

After 11 seasons primarily as a starter on the Redskins' offensive line, Grimm has been a finalist the past five years for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which helps explain Wells' respect for Grimm's philosophy.

"Anytime you have a coach who has played the game, especially at the level Russ has played it, he knows what the players go through throughout the week and during Sunday," Wells said.

After 17 years of coaching, though, Grimm may be regarded by the league more as one of its pre-eminent assistants. He has more titles next to his name - assistant head coach, offensive line coach and running-game coordinator - than a prizefighter.

Even after assuming the title of running-game coordinator this offseason, he insists that his responsibilities haven't changed.

"It's pretty much kind of what I've been doing in the past," Grimm said. "It's not really much of a change there. It's just as far as selecting what runs we like this week and what routes to tie with what protections. Stuff like that."

Grimm's success as an assistant has earned him looks as a head coach. He was a finalist for the job in Chicago in 2004 before Bears brass gave Lovie Smith the nod.

Just three years later, he was the heir apparent to replace Bill Cowher in Pittsburgh - after serving as the only assistant head coach during Cowher's tenure - before Mike Tomlin made a late push to win the job.

"If it happens, it happens," Grimm said of his potential as a head coach. "It has to be a comfortable fit for me, and there have been some places where I would have felt comfortable. But we were either going to the Super Bowl and still coaching, and things go on and decisions are made. So, I'm happy doing what I'm doing, and we'll wait and see what goes from there."

Certainly Grimm was all smiles when the Cardinals made RB Chris "Beanie" Wells the 31st overall selection in this past April's draft.

With arguably the best group of receivers in the NFL, there's no indication that the Cardinals will deviate from their pass-first offensive philosophy. However, the selection of Beanie Wells indicates a commitment to improving the running game.

"I don't necessarily see our attack changing just because we brought in a new face or whatever the case is," OG Wells said. "We've obviously had success with what we did last year and, yeah, we always have room to get better, but whether or not [more running is] going to be the new game plan remains to be seen. I've obviously seen some of his [Beanie Wells'] work in college, and he's earned the right to be our first pick this year."

Though Grimm speaks of the running game with unwavering commitment, his primary responsibility will again be the protection of QB Kurt Warner.

At 37 years old, Warner is closer to joining the bridge club than to being in the prime of his career. As is the natural progression for any NFL player, his fragility grows with each passing year, putting more pressure on the line to keep defenders away from him.

With the signing of Warner to a two-year deal this offseason, the franchise appears committed to keeping him under center for the short term.

Matt Leinart - the man the Cardinals made the 10th overall selection in 2006 - remains Warner's backup. The left-handed Leinart appears to be the future of the franchise, but unlike Warner, who is right-handed, the protections are slightly different when Leinart enters the game.

Unlike most O-line coaches who have a corps of right-handed quarterbacks on their roster, Grimm is charged with creating contingencies and new protections should Leinart enter the game.

"You have to be ready to adjust," Grimm said. "We have to have those protections in now [as opposed to when Leinart takes over full time] because it takes one play and you lose Kurt and now Matt's in and now it's a little more left-handed. There's a little more teaching involved in it."

And it's his teaching style that seems to command so much respect from his players.

His versatility, on the other hand, is just another stamp on a head-coaching resume that gleans with experience in so many facets of the game.

"Anytime you have a coach who has been a success with teams he has been with, as far as coaching, it's natural to think of him as a guy you may want to lead your organization," Reggie Wells said. "I think that Russ has been a leader probably since his early playing days. So, there's no surprise that one day or another, he'll get his shot as a head man."

Kickoff is coming! Be sure to buy your copy of the Pro Football Weekly/Yahoo! Sports 2009 NFL preview magazine, now available at bookstores, newsstands and retail outlets where magazines are sold. Or order your copy online at PFWStore.com .