The Wizz says "thanks but no thanks" to Raiders

BDR · Post by **BDR** » Friday Feb 10, 2006

Whisenhunt decides to stay with Steelers

Offensive coach withdraws name from Oakland job

On Friday, February 10, 2006, Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote:Ken Whisenhunt delayed his trip by a day to Oakland, Calif., to interview for the Raiders' head coaching job so he could experience the Steelers victory parade Tuesday.

There, he heard something that stuck with him the whole time he was in Oakland Wednesday.

"Don't go to Oakland, please come back," fans in the crowd said over and over to him.

"That's in the back of your mind," Whisenhunt said. "People are that passionate about football. It's hard to leave."

So he won't. Whisenhunt yesterday withdrew his name from consideration for the head coaching job of the Oakland Raiders. Although Raiders executives say they never offered him the job, it's one he could have had if he wanted it.

Whisenhunt, the Steelers' offensive coordinator, spent most of Wednesday in Oakland discussing the job with Al Davis, the Raiders' managing partner, and football operations head Michael Lombardi. He returned to Pittsburgh on a red-eye flight yesterday, but his agent, Eric Metz, stayed in Oakland to negotiate with the Raiders before Whisenhunt decided not to pursue the position.

"I liked Al, had a good visit, a productive meeting and was flattered to be considered," Whisenhunt said. "I just felt like I needed to come back here."

Metz said the Raiders told him Whisenhunt had a great interview.

"After coming out here and taking a look, he decided to stay with the Steelers," Metz said. "Ken Whisenhunt is going to stay with the Steelers, a job he loves.

"We came out here, had an enjoyable visit, met with Mr. Davis, and Ken likes and respects him."

While the Raiders were offering Whisenhunt good money to become their coach — more than $2 million annually — they declined to give him the kind of control over the football operations he felt he needed.

The Raiders job is seen as a coaching graveyard by many in the NFL because of the meddling Davis, who has gone through five coaches in the past 10 years, including Norv Turner, fired at the end of the 2005 season, his second. The meddling reached such a point that John Fox, Carolina's current head coach, quit his job as Raiders defensive coordinator in the middle of a season.

r:>)

Bert|Evil · Post by **Bert|Evil** » Friday Feb 10, 2006

Smart move by the Wizz. Who would want to work for Davis, anyway?

We just need to sign a few key free agents and we're in good shape.

Now that Bettis has retired, what do all of you think about the RB situation for next year. Fast Willie is a home run hitter and Duce is reliable, but I tend to think that we've gotten too used to Jerome being plan A through Z. We could:

1. Bulk Kreider up and get him 10 carries a game

or

2. Pick up a big dude, like Alstott. (For the record, Mike Alstott is contemplating retirement)

Mikey Wax · Post by **Mikey Wax** » Friday Feb 10, 2006

Duce is reliable?!?!

I definately don't agree with that.

jangel · Post by **jangel** » Friday Feb 10, 2006

They need a running back, fwp is a good change up but is not your bread and butter back. Duece I think will be released or traded, he's injury prone like Kenrell Bell. they wasted their money on both.

BDR · Post by **BDR** » Friday Feb 10, 2006

Mikey Wax wrote:Duce is reliable?!?!

I definately don't agree with that.

I second that.

Bert, I think that's the first Steelers-related comment you've made that I totally disagree with. Staley is hell on the salary cap. He needs cut loose so we can go after someone who's less expensive and likes to suit up.

r:>)

Bert|Evil · Post by **Bert|Evil** » Friday Feb 10, 2006

BadDazeRob wrote:
Mikey Wax wrote:Duce is reliable?!?!

I definately don't agree with that.
I second that.

Bert, I think that's the first Steelers-related comment you've made that I totally disagree with. Staley is hell on the salary cap. He needs cut loose so we can go after someone who's less expensive and likes to suit up.

r:>)

Nevertheless, he's going to get you more consistency than Fast Willie. Let me make it clear that I DO NOT THINK THAT DUCE IS OUR FEATURE BACK.

I think that we need to make a move on someone, but who??

BDR · Post by **BDR** » Friday Feb 10, 2006

Bert|Evil wrote:I think that we need to make a move on someone, but who??

• Edge
• Alexander

Both are slightly past prime and I think could be persuaded to come on board at a steal. Running backs don't command the $$ they used to and most guys like these two are playing for championships at this stage of their careers, and not so much for the money.

r:>)

Bloodsong · Post by **Bloodsong** » Friday Feb 10, 2006

hard to say if wizz would be a good coach or not; many other steeler assistants fared badly (mularkey, haslett, le beau...). art shell makes sense for the raider coaching position for the simple fact he knows how al davis works and really, really wants to be there. i got the impression that wizz was more interested in the oppurtunity than the team.

witchhunt · Post by **witchhunt** » Friday Feb 10, 2006

The solution is.................ALSTOTT

Bert|Evil · Post by **Bert|Evil** » Friday Feb 10, 2006

BadDazeRob wrote:
Bert|Evil wrote:I think that we need to make a move on someone, but who??
• Edge
• Alexander

Both are slightly past prime and I think could be persuaded to come on board at a steal. Running backs don't command the $$ they used to and most guys like these two are playing for championships at this stage of their careers, and not so much for the money.

r:>)

We're already over the cap. One of those two would have to take a HUGE cut.

Bert|Evil · Post by **Bert|Evil** » Friday Feb 10, 2006

witchhunt wrote:The solution is.................ALSTOTT

Normally, I'd agree. As it is, he may retire.

He had neck problems a few years a go. Even if you did get him in the Black and Gold, he'd only be worth a few years.

BDR · Post by **BDR** » Friday Feb 10, 2006

Bert|Evil wrote:We're already over the cap. One of those two would have to take a HUGE cut.

BadDazeRob wrote:Both are slightly past prime and I think could be persuaded to come on board at a steal. Running backs don't command the $$ they used to and most guys like these two are playing for championships at this stage of their careers, and not so much for the money.

r:>)

Bettis is gone, get rid of Duce, much room is made under the cap.

r:>)

Quail Whale · Post by **Quail Whale** » Friday Feb 10, 2006

http://www.whizzinator.com/whiz2.htm

I'm glad he's staying...he's good!!!

ChaosRisingRice · Post by **ChaosRisingRice** » Saturday Feb 11, 2006

Honestly he made the right move. Staying with the team that just won the super bowl. I am and forever be a raiders fan. Love the raiders. He would have been the lowest paid coach and would have to rebuild a team.

Punkinhead · Post by **Punkinhead** » Saturday Feb 11, 2006

Man, now that the Whiz is staying, what does everyone think of Randle El as perhaps a Bear??? I heard this and thought, man, I hope the Black and Gold keep him. He's an extremely valuable weapon...He'll never put up Jerry Rice's numbers but, he can swing a game a number of ways.

Bert|Evil · Post by **Bert|Evil** » Saturday Feb 11, 2006

Punkinhead wrote:Man, now that the Whiz is staying, what does everyone think of Randle El as perhaps a Bear???

The Skins are interested in him, as well. Snyder has DEEP pockets, and I can't help but feel that El may go for the money, not the opportunity.

The Steelers need to sign:

Von Olhoffen
El
Batch
Townsend

The Steelers need to cut:

Maddox
Staley

I can remember where I was when it was announced that the Steelers made a trade for Bettis. Let's see what is possible this time. Here's a list of free agents:

1. Shaun Alexander (U) Seattle
2. Edgerrin James (U) Indianapolis
3. Jamal Lewis (U) Baltimore
4. DeShaun Foster (U) Carolina
5. Ahman Green (U) Green Bay
6. Michael Bennett (U) Minnesota
7. Travis Henry (U) Tennessee
8. Chester Taylor (U) Baltimore
9. Jeremi Johnson (R) Cincinnati
10. Fred Beasley (U) San Francisco
11. Anthony Thomas (U) New Orleans
12. William Henderson (U) Green Bay
13. Mack Strong (U) Seattle
14. Shawn Bryson (U) Detroit
15. Najeh Davenport (U) Green Bay
16. Moe Williams (U) Minnesota
17. Verron Haynes (U) Pittsburgh
18. Travis Minor (U) Miami
19. Maurice Morris (U) Seattle
20. Sammy Morris (U) Miami
21. Rock Cartwright (U) Washington
22. Musa Smith (R) Baltimore
23. Tony Fisher (U) Green Bay
24. Jonathan Wells (U) Houston
25. Obafemi Ayanbadejo (U) Arizona
26. Lamar Gordon (U) Philadelphia
27. LaBrandon Toefield (R) Jacksonville
28. Jameel Cook (U) Tampa Bay
29. Tony Richardson (U) Kansas City
30. Heath Evans (U) New England
31. Reno Mahe (R) Philadelphia
32. Michael Cloud (U) New England
33. Antowain Smith (U) New Orleans
34. James Mungro (U) Indianapolis
35. Chad Morton (U) NY Giants
36. James Jackson (U) Arizona
37. Arlen Harris (R) St. Louis
38. Fred McCrary (U) Atlanta
39. J.R. Redmond (U) Arizona
40. Ron Dayne (U) Denver
41. Fred McAfee (U) New Orleans
42. Kenny Watson (U) Cincinnati
43. Omar Easy (U) Oakland
44. Andrew Pinnock (R) San Diego
45. Ovie Mughelli (R) Baltimore
46. Paul Smith (U) Detroit
47. Aveion Cason (U) St. Louis
48. Steve Bush (U) San Francisco
49. Harold Morrow (U) Arizona
50. Chris Massey (U) St. Louis
51. Chris Hetherington (U) San Francisco
52. Keith Belton (U) Chicago

Does anyone remember #41?

FatVin · Post by **FatVin** » Saturday Feb 11, 2006

Cut Maddox now?

Are you nuts?

As a starter Tommy wasn't much I give you that but as a back up I can't imagine anyone better. He knows the offense, he knows the players, he knows the coaches. Tommy Maddox won't lose a game for you. He just won't win them but mostly, he won't lose them and that's what you want from a back up.

Ben IS THE QB, no doubt expecially now but as a back up I don't think they can do better. You need stability at that position and you need it deep, Maddox gives them that.

If they can get Allstott, that would be perfect for those 3 carries 2 yards 3 TD situations, Duece, they let go and pick up another undrafted kid.

Dayne would be a good grab if he's not too beat up.

Randle el will be a loss if he goes but I think kids with that kind of ability won't be too hard to pick up
I think the Black and Gold is in great shape

Alexander and a lot of those guys will want more $$$ than the Rooney's will be willing to pay, I think Dayne or somebody else big like that would be best.

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Saturday Feb 11, 2006

Darth Tatum wrote:hard to say if wizz would be a good coach or not; many other steeler assistants fared badly (mularkey, haslett, le beau...). art shell makes sense for the raider coaching position for the simple fact he knows how al davis works and really, really wants to be there. i got the impression that wizz was more interested in the oppurtunity than the team.

While this may be true, one thing's for certain...he is NOT a league derelict. Therefore he should not join the rest of the league's derelicts by going to Oakland.

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Saturday Feb 11, 2006

They will probably wait for the draft to see who stays or who goes.

As far as QB. Maddox is one of the lowest paid QBs in the league and is content to be the backup and mentor to Rothliesberger. If I have ever seen a QB sucking up a retirement plan, its Maddox. Financially, Maddox is the better choice to keep.

Batch is now a free-agent and will probably either want bigger bucks or to be picked up by a possible starting situation. Why bother?

They can pick up a 3rd string QB in the draft, or just go 2 deep and have more bucks to re-sign Randle El.

BDR · Post by **BDR** » Saturday Feb 11, 2006

FatVin wrote:As a starter Tommy wasn't much I give you that but as a back up I can't imagine anyone better.

Batch.

Maddox lost it after the injury. Lost it. Plus, he's almost as old as me. Time to ride off into the sunset.

Charlie has game, he can run out of the pocket and he has plenty of experience to be #2. We need to keep El and draft another QB in a late round. Groom the young guy and be patient with him (with El, he's pretty much #4).

r:>)

rug · Post by **rug** » Saturday Feb 11, 2006

Samkon Gado would be a nice addition to the black & gold's roster.

BDR · Post by **BDR** » Saturday Feb 11, 2006

rug wrote:Samkon Gado would be a nice addition to the black & gold's roster.

He's had some "fumblitis" issues but I agree, dude can bang $hit up ...

r:>)

RobTheDrummer · Post by **RobTheDrummer** » Saturday Feb 11, 2006

One of the best backs on that list is Jamal Lewis.

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Saturday Feb 11, 2006

Willie Parker is the starting RB.

As far as the #2 RB, the Steelers originally picked up Duce Staley to eventually replace Bettis. If he comes back 100%, I don't see them changing those plans. At 245lbs, Staley is the kind of RB they need for the 2nd half meatgrinder and short yardage situations.

Willie Parker is the starting RB.

I would look for them to try to re-negiotiate Staley's contract downward as they did with Bettis a few years back. Another ? is Verron Haynes, but I doubt if he is going to get a better deal than he has in Pittsburgh. If Haynes gets cut loose, look for a late RB draft pick.

Willie Parker is the starting RB.

GoneForever · Post by **GoneForever** » Saturday Feb 11, 2006

13. Mack Strong (U) Seattle
30. Heath Evans (U) New England
40. Ron Dayne (U) Denver

Those 3 could play the Bus role pretty well, esp. Evans.