Steelers' Grimm follows Whisenhunt to Cardinals

1niksder · Post by **1niksder** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 12:51 am

Steelers' Grimm follows Whisenhunt to Cardinals

PHOENIX -- Russ Grimm was hired as the Arizona Cardinals' assistant head coach and offensive line coach Tuesday, two weeks after he interviewed for the head coaching position.

Grimm's hiring comes two days after erroneous reports that the Pittsburgh Steelers had chosen him to replace retired coach Bill Cowher. Grimm wanted the Steelers job but said he was happy to reunite with Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt, a former Steelers staffmate.

"It's about 23 degrees and snowing, so I'm looking forward to the weather," Grimm told reporters on a conference call from Pittsburgh.

Grimm interviewed for the Cardinals' and Steelers' top jobs. After the Cardinals hired Whisenhunt, Grimm appeared to emerge as the leading candidate to succeed Cowher.

On Sunday, a published report in the Pittsburgh area said the club would promote Grimm. But the Steelers instead hired Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin.

Grimm seemed disappointed but wasn't bitter over the way events played out.

"Obviously, it was tough," Grimm said. "I thought I had a shot at it. Whatever the details are and things like that, I respect the decision that was made.

"It's time to move on," he added. "I'm thrilled to be in Arizona."

The 47-year-old Grimm will be charged with improving the Cardinals' offensive line, which drew heavy criticism during the team's 5-11 season.

"Obviously, I know Russ very well from our time together with the Steelers and adding a coach of his caliber to the staff is tremendous," Whisenhunt said in a statement.

Grimm worked as an assistant with the Steelers the last six seasons. He spent the previous 19 years with the Washington Redskins -- as an all-pro guard for 11 seasons (1981-91) and then as an assistant coach for eight (1992-2000).

Grimm is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He said he's not anxious about the Feb. 3 vote in Miami.

"I tend to concentrate on the things I have control over," Grimm said. "Something like that is exciting, but it's something that's out of my hands."

Grimm is the fifth assistant to join Whisenhunt's staff. He joins defensive backs coach Teryl Austin, linebackers coach Billy Davis, strength and conditioning coach John Lott and special teams coach Kevin Spencer.

Grimm said it wouldn't be strange to work for Whisenhunt after competing with him for top jobs in Arizona and Pittsburgh.

"I don't mind riding shotgun," Grimm said.

Redskins Rule · Post by **Redskins Rule** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 10:08 am

Wow! I guess this means Arizona will definetly take that stud left tackle in the draft!

SkinsFreak · Post by **SkinsFreak** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 10:25 am

I think Arizona now has some real potential. They will be interesting to watch. A good friend of mine lives in Phoenix and he says the whole town is really excited.

Fios · Post by **Fios** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 11:17 am

I think the Steelers made a mistake and the Cardinals (of all teams) made a solid choice

forskins · Post by **forskins** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 11:39 am

SkinsFreak wrote:I think Arizona now has some real potential. They will be interesting to watch. A good friend of mine lives in Phoenix and he says the whole town is really excited.

They were also really excited when they brought in a Stud running back last year. Look how that worked out; although, I agree if they get their O-line to play halfway decent, they do have a powder keg of weapons on offense and they can be very, very compeitive.

Mursilis · Post by **Mursilis** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 11:59 am

forskins wrote:
SkinsFreak wrote:I think Arizona now has some real potential. They will be interesting to watch. A good friend of mine lives in Phoenix and he says the whole town is really excited.

They were also really excited when they brought in a Stud running back last year. Look how that worked out; although, I agree if they get their O-line to play halfway decent, they do have a powder keg of weapons on offense and they can be very, very compeitive.

Hopefully Grimm, the former Hog, can fix those O-line issues. I've always said the Cardinals are much better than their record, but were the victim of bad coaching. Frankly, I've never been impressed with Dennis Green - at Minny, he had huge talent and never won the Super Bowl or otherwise distinguished himself with it, and I believe another coach could've done better with the personnel in Arizona this past year. I guess we'll see this year.

Fios · Post by **Fios** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 12:00 pm

Dennis Green is exactly who we thought he was!

Mursilis · Post by **Mursilis** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 12:02 pm

Fios wrote:Dennis Green is exactly who we thought he was!

A lesser Schottenheimer, that's what he is.

UK Skins Fan · Post by **UK Skins Fan** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 4:14 pm

Good luck to Russ Grimm. I'm disappointed that he didn't come back to the Redskins, but that doesn't ever seem to have been a possibility.

I hope he enjoys great success in Arizona, although I might not have been so generous when they were in our division. :evil:

NC43Hog · Post by **NC43Hog** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 4:37 pm

I'm just glad he didn't go to DALLAS.

Good luck Russ.

SkinsFreak · Post by **SkinsFreak** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 6:41 pm

Fios wrote:Dennis Green is exactly who we thought he was!

...and if you want to go ahead and crown him, then crown him!

sch1977 · Post by **sch1977** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 10:58 am

Fios wrote:Dennis Green is exactly who we thought he was!

And they let him get away!!!! :explode:

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 8:32 pm

I am of two minds about this promotion for Russ #68

1) The Cards are the graveyard for coaches in the NFL. Although the same could have been said about the Bungles, look at what M. Lewis has done there. But the Cards have not had a good season since ...

.. well, I was not even born yet. If the problem is the front office, no amount of coaching would help.

2) I think Russ deserves a head coaching position. This is mighty little compared to what he really deserved. The Steelers will definitely miss him. The only good point about tis is that he -could- be ours two years from now if Joe steps down (and he very well might).

SkinsJock · Post by **SkinsJock** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 9:48 pm

You could be right RiC but these 2 together might have a good situation with that franchise and they play against the Seahawks, Rams and 49ers, 6 games a year.

I also think he was not treated well in Pittsburgh the last few weeks!

I would also love to have him back soon and hopefully to help us stay as good as Gibbs can make us in the next 2 years :wink:

ii7-V7 · Post by **ii7-V7** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 5:18 pm

Redskin in Canada wrote:1) The Cards are the graveyard for coaches in the NFL. Although the same could have been said about the Bungles, look at what M. Lewis has done there. But the Cards have not had a good season since ...

.. well, I was not even born yet. If the problem is the front office, no amount of coaching would help.

I think that problem is that the Bidwells are the worst owners in football. And it unfortunate. They have a decent amount of talent at all of the skill positions, but they have no talent on either line. The GM seems to love glamour positions, but they have neglected the big men! Can Russ change that?

Chad

tcwest10 · Post by **tcwest10** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 4:08 am

No, not by his lonesome. Still, it's a job in a place with high turnover, right?

Anyway, I think he did what he had to do. With Cowher gone, it's a new day in Pittsburgh... and it's gonna rain.

JansenFan · Post by **JansenFan** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 9:39 am

I got an email from a friend who happens to be a Steelers fan asking me for my Super Bowl pick. I asked why and he forwarded an email to me that I sent him the Monday after the Super Bowl last year. I said, "Enjoy it while it lasts. The Steelers will suck this year. They'll miss the playoffs and Cowher will retire." :lol:

Even a broken clock right twice a day. In any case, I think the Steelers messed up by passing over both Whisenhunt and Grimm. I guess we will see.

SkinsJock · Post by **SkinsJock** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 1:07 pm

Is it just me or is anyone else a little concerned by Scott's apparent skill to predict the future :shock:

and for another team, no less!!

BTW Scott, any hints from on high about our team this year :?: