Page 1 of 1

Seahawks seek Pioli

Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2005 3:22 pm
by 1niksder
Seahawks seek Pioli
Seattle gets approval to speak with Patriots executive
By Nick Cafardo, Globe Staff | February 12, 2005

The Seattle Seahawks received permission to interview Patriots vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli for their position of president of football operations, an NFL source with direct knowledge of the Seahawks' situation confirmed yesterday.

The Seahawks had also asked for permission to speak to Patriots chief operating officer Andy Wasynczuk, but he has decided to leave football for a teaching position at Harvard Business School.

It was not known last night whether Pioli had agreed to speak with the Seahawks. Efforts to reach Pioli were unsuccessful.

Pioli, coach Bill Belichick's right-hand man, has already said he will fulfill his contract with the Patriots, which runs out in late April 2006. Pioli has been on the wish lists of many teams recently, including Miami, Cleveland, San Francisco, and now the Seahawks, who are owned by Microsoft mogul Paul Allen. Allen is in the process of reshuffling his football management team.

Three top-ranking executives have left the franchise since the end of the Seahawks' season, including Ted Thompson, who was vice president of football operations but left to become general manager of the Green Bay Packers; Scot McCloughan, the Seahawks' former college scouting director, who left to become vice president of player personnel with the 49ers; and team president Bob Whitsitt, who was fired Jan. 14. And the Seahawks recently brought in Mike Reinfeldt as a consultant to manage the salary cap.

Meanwhile, Patriots defensive backs coach Eric Mangini met with Browns coach Romeo Crennel and team officials for five hours yesterday about becoming Cleveland's defensive coordinator, and later took a flight with Crennel back to Boston. Also at Browns headquarters was Maurice Carthon, the former Patriots running backs coach who was the Cowboys' offensive coordinator last season. He is expected to be named the Browns' offensive coordinator.

Mangini was in Miami Thursday to meet with the Dolphins, and both the Browns and Dolphins have made offers of three years at an average of close to $1 million per season. The Patriots were waiting to see how Mangini's visit with the Browns went, but word from Patriots sources is that the team is likely willing to get into a salary range that might appeal to Mangini.

It was also learned that Crennel earned close to $1 million as the Patriots' defensive coordinator this season because with bonuses for the team winning the Super Bowl. Crennel's salary was listed at $625,000, but bonuses made the deal far more lucrative.

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/p ... eek_pioli/

Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 1:42 am
by 1niksder
Pioli has said he'll fulfill contract

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick has lost his two coordinators, but it's looking like there's less a chance he could lose his right-hand man.



The Seattle Seahawks received permission to talk to Patriots vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli for their position of president of football operations, The Boston Globe reported.


ESPN's Chris Mortensen learned Seahawks owner Paul Allen reportedly offered Pioli more than $3 million a year to join the Seahawks. But Pioli is resisting the temptation and as of now plans to return to his job with the Patriots, honoring a contract that runs through May 2006. It is believed Pioli is making $800,000 a year in his current position.

Seattle has lost three top executives since the season's end as Allen reshuffles his football management team.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1989967