DMD Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 Interesting. But not in a "I have Moss in a dynasty league" sort of way... From the Contra Costa Times: A very unlikely offensive coordinator Much has been made of Al Davis' decision to fire Art Shell after the 1994 season since the recently rehired Raiders coach emerged as a candidate to replace Norv Turner. Davis often has said that he regrets firing Shell. The details leading up to Shell's leaving the team after 27 years as a player and coach were lost on many Bay Area fans caught up in the excitement that followed the team announcing it would return to Oakland five months later. That's a shame because they are missing the irony in the recent news that Shell is on the verge of elevating Tom Walsh, who has not worked as an NFL coach since leaving the Raiders and currently owns and operates Hansen Guest Ranch, which advertises itself as a horse-friendly bed and breakfast in remote Swan Valley, Idaho. Walsh may be the first offensive coordinator in NFL history who holds a political office. He's the mayor of Swan Valley. "I prefer anything delivered to the media come from a spokesperson of the Raiders," Walsh said from his ranch. Those who followed the Raiders closely in 1994 were surprised to learn that Shell is expected to make Walsh his offensive coordinator. Shocked may be a better word. Stunned even. Walsh wasn't one of the "back-stabbers" on his staff that Shell claimed criticized him to owner Al Davis, costing him his job after the 1994 season, but the person whom Shell most wants as his right-hand man to begin his second tenure as Raiders coach played a role in Shell's being fired in the first place. Shell left team headquarters in El Segundo at 11 a.m. on Feb. 2, 1995. Just two hours later, Mike White, whom Shell never named publicly but who insiders say was one of the three assistant coaches Shell accused of disloyalty, was introduced as the team's new coach at a press conference. "It was one of the most trying seasons I'd ever been involved in as a coach, player or whatever," Shell would later tell the Charleston (S.C.) Post and Courier, his hometown newspaper. White was able to curry favor with Davis in large part because the offensive-oriented White persuaded Davis he could improve Walsh's offense, which failed to establish a consistent running game and surrendered 50 sacks in 1994. That's what set in motion what must have been five of the most awkward weeks in Art Shell's life. The Raiders finished 10-6 in 1993, remember, before losing to the Buffalo Bills 29-23 in an AFC divisional playoff game. Heading into the 1994 season they were a popular choice to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. They lost four of their first six games and, although they rebounded to win seven of nine, they were outplayed by the Kansas Chiefs in the season finale and denied a playoff berth. That season was not unlike many of the seasons that have followed. The team was plagued by inconsistency, lack of discipline (they set an NFL record with 156 penalties) and a lack of cohesion and chemistry. Internal squabbles became public when quarterback Jeff Hostetler and Shell were involved in a face-to-face confrontation in full view of fans and a national TV audience late in the first half of an overtime loss to Miami. The shouting match was reportedly the result of Hostetler changing plays that had been shuttled into the huddle by Shell and/or Walsh. Davis began interviewing coaching candidates while Shell was still serving as head coach. White was dispatched to Phoenix to recruit Joe Bugel as an assistant before Davis made what must have been one of the most agonizing decisions of his career: firing Shell, one of the cornerstones of the team's success in the 1970s and early '80s. Now it comes full circle. Davis hasn't had any problem selling his decision to re-hire Shell. For the most part, the decision has been well received, if for no other reason than there were few alternatives. Shell might have a more difficult time selling his decision to hire Walsh, whose most recent on-field experience was as the coach and director of football operations for the Regional Football League's Mobile Admirals in 1999. Before that, he coached at Idaho State for two years before being asked to resign late in the 1998 season. His two-season record was 6-18. "It's vitally important for the success of this football team that Tom Walsh be the guy," said Shell's representative, Danny More. "Art knows Tom better than anyone and trusts his offense." It is an unconventional hire. That's for sure. Then again, convention has little to do with the story of Art Shell and the Raiders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muck Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 Yes, that most definately is interesting... Me thinkgs that you, sir, will have fun projecting players this offseason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swiss Cheezhead Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 Very interesting. If anything, it makes me uneasy about that Raiders offense in general. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chargerz Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gdawg Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 (edited) What the eff? This can't be true. Edited February 16, 2006 by Gdawg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikesVikes Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 I don't want to sleep in any horse-friendly bed and breakfast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gdawg Posted February 16, 2006 Share Posted February 16, 2006 I don't want to sleep in any horse-friendly bed and breakfast. 1327693[/snapback] Or eat there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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