Raiders will wait on Steelers' Whisenhunt

[CrossBones]

Raiders will wait on Steelers' Whisenhunt

Nancy Gay, Chronicle Staff Writer
Tuesday, January 24, 2006

The Pittsburgh Steelers' dominating performance in Sunday's AFC Championship Game has focused even more of the Raiders' attention on Ken Whisenhunt.

Already, the team had done some homework on Pittsburgh's no-nonsense offensive coordinator, who has been credited with keeping the Steelers' running game fresh and helping mold second-year quarterback Ben Roethlisberger into a playoff-savvy performer.

In the wake of the Steelers' 34-17 rout of the Broncos, it now appears the Raiders -- the last of 10 NFL teams to fill a head-coaching vacancy -- might be willing to wait until after Super Bowl XL on Feb. 5 to interview Whisenhunt.

"He's at the top of their list,'' said a person familiar with Whisenhunt and the Raiders' search. "They'll be patient on this.''

Whisenhunt, 43, just completed his second season as the Steelers' offensive coordinator, previously having served as the team's tight ends coach. He also was an offensive assistant with the Jets, Browns and Ravens.

The Georgia Tech graduate played nine NFL seasons as a tight end/H-back for the Atlanta Falcons (1985-88), Washington Redskins (1989-90) and New York Jets (1991-93). He caught 62 passes for 601 yards and six touchdowns, and also played special teams.

Whisenhunt's game plans -- he favors a strong running game to establish balance -- and teaching ability attracted him to other teams as well, and he has interviewed well for other openings. He was a finalist for the vacancy in St. Louis; the Rams eventually hired Dolphins offensive coordinator Scott Linehan. Whisenhunt also interviewed for the Texans' opening, which was filled by Broncos offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak.

The Steelers' record playoff run -- they are the only sixth-seeded team to advance to the Super Bowl -- has prevented other teams from pursuing Whisenhunt, a problem that once haunted many of the Patriots' assistants.

Now, it appears the Raiders, who have been without a head coach since Norv Turner was dismissed Jan. 3, might be in position to offer Whisenhunt what he apparently wants: a head-coaching position.

In the interim, the Raiders are expected to interview at least one other candidate, possibly former Packers coach Mike Sherman, a finalist for the Bills' job. That position went to Dick Jauron.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2006/01/24/SPGE8GS5QB1.DTL

[CrossBones]

This could be a very good thing.

The Raiders have the last remaining head coaching job left in the NFL. (I think this is Al's strategy).

How about if we got this guy and then brought in Mike Martz as OC. Apparently Martz now says he's willing to take an OC job.

That ought to cure the "we didn't score enough" problem with a little brain trust at both HC and OC! ;)

[XLRaider]

This is a case of high risk, high reward.

When I watched the Steelers run roughshod over the donks on Sunday, I couldn't help but think that the Steelers have alot of similar players to the Raiders on offense. Power RB's (Jordan & Crockett, Parker & Bettis), posession WR (Porter, Ward), shifty slot receiver (Curry, Randle-El). Obviously their line and QB are far superior, but I think our line can improve dramatically with a couple of changes in personnel and scheme. Can Whisenhunt develop Walter into the next Roethisburger? I think they have similar skills.

The risk is that if Whisenhunt turns us down, we're stuck with the leftovers that nobody else wanted (even the coordinators are disappearing fast).
Whisenhunt doesn't exactly have any leverage either. If he truly wants to be an HC and isn't willing to wait until next year, our job is the only one out there. If the Steelers win the Superbowl and the offense is as impressive as it was on Sunday, he will probably want to break the bank. My guess is that Al will jump on it, if he truly believes this is the guy to turn things around.

As far as Martz goes, if he can co-exist with a no-nonsense guy like Whisenhunt, I say take the plunge. Martz has said lately (on St. Louis talk radio) that he would consider an OC job with a team with the right weapons. He'd have weapons in our WR's and RB, he'd need to develop a QB or re-hab Collins.

[Plunkett16]

I have a feeling al knows he has to offer more than he offered before in order to get th is guy to come to oakland.

[CrossBones]

Hmmmmm....

[Plunkett16]

Hmmmmm....
that is awesome pic of our new hc:D

[Angel]

But what if whisenhunt doesn't wanna be the HC of the Raiders?? :p

[Rupert]

Then Whisenhunt doesn't know what's good for him. :confused:

[Angel]

Then Whisenhunt doesn't know what's good for him. :confused:
Ahaha.....well....you know, some coaches really don't like being Al's puppet on a string ;)