Tuesday Notes: Raiders’ coaching candidates, Lil’ Wiz gets honored
Stefen Wisniewski was a standout rookie in 2011.
ESPN reported last weekend that the Oakland Raiders talked to the New Orleans Saints’ offensive coordinator on Friday, prior to their defeat in the divisional round versus the San Francisco 49ers, for their coaching vacancy.
Pete Carmichael, who took over play calling duties for the Saints after Sean Payton injured his leg in a sideline collision in Tampa on Oct. 16, is emerging as a hot candidate around the league for several jobs, including the openings in Miami and Tampa Bay.
But a report on NOLA.com states that Carmichael has not yet interviewed with Reggie McKenzie, but New Orleans general manager Mickey Loomis has given the staffer permission to communicate with Oakland.
Per SBReport.net sources, Marty Mornhinweg, who is currently the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, will get a shot within the next week to impress Oakland’s brass. The former Lions head coach is a candidate on McKenzie’s list, as the new general manager will leave no stone left unturned in his search for his first head coach as the head man in Oakland.
Carmichael, along with Todd Bowles, have been the only confirmed candidates to vie for the opening.
Winston Moss stated after the Packers were eliminated, “If the Raiders were to call and ask, I’ll be ready to speak with them,” per the Associated Press. “But nothing’s changed from last week. I feel good where I’m at. If there’s an opportunity that comes up in the future, we’ll probably cross that bridge at that time. But at this present time, right now, not a lot to talk about.”
“At the time, Al Davis was there, Art Shell was my coach,” Moss said. “And we had good times. I had some of my better times as a player in the National Football League with the Raiders. Whatever I’ve taken from the past with the Raiders, and Al Davis not being there anymore, you’ve got to say going forward that it’s going to be different.
“It’s going to be different from the standpoint of, Reggie wants to go in a new direction, so I’ll sit down and speak with Reggie to get his vision, what direction he wants the organization to go in. That’s going to play a lot in to it.”
Hue Jackson could land in St. Louis as part of Jeff Fisher’s staff.
Also according to ESPN, the Raiders were allowed to interview Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy and Broncos defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.
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Stefen Wisniewski was selected to the Pro Football Weekly All-Rookie Team.
Per Raiders.com:
Wisniewski, selected in the 2nd round of the 2011 NFL Draft out of Penn State, started all 16 regular season games at either guard or center for the Raiders in his first year as a pro.
In Week 3, Wisniewski was voted the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week by fans on NFL.com. Wisniewski helped the Oakland offensive line clear the way for 234 yards on the ground while allowing only one sack against a potent pass rush in the Raiders’ 34-24 win over the New York Jets. His lead block on a touchdown run early in the fourth quarter helped give the Raiders a commanding two-score lead.
Wisniewski helped pave the way for the 7th ranked rushing attack in the NFL (131.9 yards per game), and anchored an offensive line that only allowed 25 sacks, which tied for 3rd best in the NFL.
