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DEL.ICIO.USWhisenhunt engineers Steelers’ offense
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
Some things just don’t take a civil engineering degree from Georgia Tech to figure out. With Ken Whisenhunt, that just happens to be a bonus.
A team drafts a talented quarterback. The coaching staff spoon-feeds him an offense that plays to his strengths. If he has a strong arm, let him wing it. If he runs, let him run. Pretty basic stuff. Even for journalism majors.
The Falcons’ offense got worse as the season went on last year. That could be attributed at least in part to having the fastest player on the field suddenly acting robotic in the pocket with increasing regularity. Remove the threat of Michael Vick running and you remove - well, the threat.
Ben Roethlisberger is not Michael Vick, so the issues the Pittsburgh Steelers coaching staff has dealt with the past two seasons can’t be compared to those of the Falcons. But this much is certain: No offense has made greater strides over the last two years than the Steelers. No quarterback has developed better over the last two years than Roethlisberger. No offensive coordinator has done a better job than Whisenhunt, the former Georgia Tech and Falcons’ tight end who soon will have “head coach” stamped on his forehead.
Whisenhunt wasn’t alluding to the Falcons and Vick when asked about the keys to Roethlisberger’s development. But he might as well have been.
“You can’t categorize all players the same way,” Whisenhunt said by phone. “The key is to get a feel for what they’re comfortable with and what their strengths are. You have to be careful not to try to squeeze a square peg in a round hole. We’ve been able to improve the run here, and that’s helped us utilize some of Ben’s strengths. We’ll mix in play-action and let him move around. As he’s grown, we’ve dropped more things into the offense. If you have a young guy and you try to give him too much, it’s easy to rattle his confidence.”
Whisenhunt has been an offensive coordinator for only two years, and the Super Bowl in 11 days conceivably could be his last game at that position. Oakland, the last NFL team with a vacancy, reportedly is waiting to talk to a 43-year-old civil engineering major.
“Right now I’m just so excited to be in this game, that’s all I’m focusing on,” he said. “But, sure, everybody wants to get to the top of their profession, and being a head coach is the top of my profession.”
Whisenhunt is an Augusta native and still considers this home. Family and friends are here. He’d probably be a wonderful fit at Georgia Tech, but I think the coach there has a long-term contract.
Whisenhunt is not a new coach - he’s just not an obscure coach anymore. Until being promoted by the Steelers last season, he primarily had been a tight ends or special teams coach. Two years at Vanderbilt, two with Baltimore, one with Cleveland, one with the New York Jets, three with Pittsburgh.
But when the Steelers bumped him up to replace the departed Mike Mularkey, there was an immediate impact. Former Georgia receiver Hines Ward raved about Whisenhunt’s creativity and moving the receiver around in different formations. Pittsburgh jumped from 31st to second in rushing. Roethlisberger went 14-1 as a rookie starter, losing only to New England in the AFC title game.
The Steelers have scored 86 points in three road playoff wins over the AFC’s top three seeded teams. Last week in Denver, they had four touchdowns and one field goal in five red zone possessions. Roethlisberger is 34-for-49 with six touchdowns and one interception in three playoff games.
Whisenhunt has managed this in a Steelers’ offense that lacks a deep receiving threat (Plaxico Burress left in free agency) or a dominant running back.
As a player, Whisenhunt recalled being told by coaches, including the Falcons’ Dan Henning, that he studied the game well and had coaching traits. Now, he’s proving it.
On Monday, he woke up after little sleep and said he “had to pinch myself,” hoping he hadn’t dreamt that Pittsburgh was going to the Super Bowl.
“You work so hard to get here - it’s almost surreal,” he said.
It’s real. And when a quarterback develops this fast, everybody notices.
Permalink | Comments (29) | Categories: Falcons / NFL, Jeff Schultz
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By william
January 24, 2006 06:17 PM | Link to this
I could not agree more. My emails were never answered, but who knows if we get Curry as AD he may bring his old student home.
By Bill
January 24, 2006 06:52 PM | Link to this
Ken Whisenhunt is not an Atlanta native. He is an Augusta, Ga. native. He played high school football for Richmond Academy. He was a quarterback for them. He then went to Georgia Tech. As a matter of fact he still has 2 sisters and a brother living in Augusta.
By SteveO
January 24, 2006 07:50 PM | Link to this
A new OC, with Tenuta’s D and some tight ends…….scary.
By shane
January 24, 2006 08:20 PM | Link to this
Does anyone know when Braves fan appreciation day will be this year?
By Brewer
January 24, 2006 08:42 PM | Link to this
Ken came over to eat at our house one night while work at Plant Vogle in Burke County. Great guy. i still hear him talking about his soon to be tryout with the Falcons
By Matthew
January 24, 2006 08:59 PM | Link to this
Man…
Why can’t we have a visionary and imaginative Offensive Coordinator in Atlanta?
This is just more proof of how much Greg Knapp SUCKS!!!
Are you reading this Jim Mora and Arthur Blank?!
You can’t fit a square peg in a round hole.
Y’all should be smart enough, but let me spell it out for you:
Michael Vick: Square Peg
Greg Knapp’s Offense: Round Hole
Any questions?
By GW
January 24, 2006 09:23 PM | Link to this
Bill, Don’t you know that everybody from Atlanta thinks that anywhere in Georgia is Atlanta? Except for April, most of them don’t know where Augusta is.
By northwestDAWG
January 24, 2006 11:43 PM | Link to this
Whisenhunt has done a great job with Big Ben, but if you want to see the “West Coast Offense” coached to perfection just watch the Super Bowl and see the way it should be done. Mike Holgram, our coach, knows how to put it together. Round peg, square hole can’t be done. You have to use free agents, be good drafting rookies and be able to put it together. We here in Seattle thank the Falcons for sending Tim Ruskell up here. He was the final piece of our puzzle that was needed to complete the picture. Just watch our offense in the Super Bowl and you’ll see how it’s run to perfection. I will be really supprised if Vick is ever able to run the “WCO”. After watching Hasslebeck, Vick just seems to be lost or doesn’t have any true idea as to what’s going on. The DAWGS win the SEC, then my “Hawks” win the NFC and as the way everyone said the Ga. had no need to show to play LSU there’re saying the same thing about my “Hawks” but like the DAWGS we’ll show up anyway.
By SteelerDawg
January 25, 2006 03:16 AM | Link to this
Northwest, obviously your time in Seattle has clouded your football judgement. Seattle played three playoff teams during their 13-3 mark and lost two of them. (I’m not counting the game against Indy’s B team.) Just being in the NFC west gave Seattle 6 wins automatically. Your hawks’ are going to get pounded in Detroit. There will only be two things Seattle will run to perfection in SB XL… the punt team and kickoff return.
But, at least we can agree on one thing… Go Dawgs!
By Tonytuf
January 25, 2006 05:37 AM | Link to this
Two things: One the Seahawks won their last game on sunday enjoy it! Two we now know where the real #7 is and that’s the steel city. Oh Vick will have his chance to prove he’s the better 7 in 06, but seening how the Steelers will be DEFENDING CHAMPS when they visit the Dome this year. We already know who’s the better #7!!! BIG BEN
STEELERS 35 seahawks 17
By g'boro Falcon
January 25, 2006 06:42 AM | Link to this
Ken is also a former Falcon! He is a natural here in Atlanta.
By Matthew
January 25, 2006 08:47 AM | Link to this
Lord of the Rings Rules…Semper Fi buddy
By greg
January 25, 2006 09:19 AM | Link to this
true, GW. it is funny how everyone thinks georgia is nothing but atlanta. someone wrote the other day about the point guard from wake forest, joe dukes, as being from “metro atlanta”. last time i checked, cuthbert was about 150 miles from atlanta.
By Carroll
January 25, 2006 09:26 AM | Link to this
Bill fraking Musgrave??!! Are you f*** kidding me??!! I lived in Jacksonville for the last few years (when Bill Musgrave was the offensive coordinator). That ofense was completely putrid! He was the ultimate “3 yards and a cloud of dust” offensive mind. The day they fired him, people in Jax rejoiced.
Then he went on to the Redskins. Tell me…how’d their offense work out last year??! If I remember correctly, watching the playoff games in which the Skins appeared, it was about as fun as watching paint dry. They couldn’t do ANYTHING on offense! So we bring in this genius offensive dud to liven up our offense?! Great…now we’ll prolly go from watching paint dry to watching a plant grow.
I guess the only consolation is that it will only be one more painful, losing year until either Mora and gang are gone and/or maybe Vick will be gone. One or the other has to go…..Mora and his cronies are not compatable with Vick and his abilities!
By CJacketFan
January 25, 2006 09:55 AM | Link to this
What is GA Tech thinking extending Chan’s contract? GET THE WIZ!!!
From boring to exciting in 2 seconds.
By Matthew
January 25, 2006 10:10 AM | Link to this
One more thing, speaking of Square Pegs, that show was awesome. It is my favorite TV show of all time as well as the greatest ever.
I loved this show and remember it fondly. “Square Pegs” introduced Sarah Jessica Parker(FOOTLOOSE, SEX IN THE CITY), Jamie Gertz(QUICKSILVER, LOST BOYS, LESS THAN ZERO), and Tracie Nelson(DOWN AND OUT IN BEVERLY HILLS, FATHER DOWLING MYSTERIES) to the world and make stars of them. Unfortunately the show got cancelled after only a year. TV Guide had a cover story a few years later about how drugs and money had killed the show. Well that’s Hollywood for you.
This is probably the first show about High School that featured teenagers as the leads. Played by actual teenager actors, not twentysomethings. The show was conceived by Anne Beatts, a writer from “Saturday Night Live”. The writing was top notch and the actors were funny and real. It’s a classic show! Luckily I have 6 episodes saved on Video but it won’t last forever. I want it on DVD please!!!!
By Ironfeet
January 25, 2006 10:25 AM | Link to this
I think that Whisenhunt would be a perfect fit to coach the Falcons. His creativity and ability to design an offense that conforms to his QB’s strengths make him a perfect fit for this team. I truly believe that Vick and this offense would realize their full potential under his direction. Too bad that Broke Back Mountain, er, Mora and Knapp are still in place.
By techaholic
January 25, 2006 10:30 AM | Link to this
Forget Ken being the OC at Tech … HE SHOULD BE THE HC!
His mindset about players and devising an offense around WHAT THEY CAN DO is all about success.
Chan Gailey NEEDS to take more than a couple of lessons from the YOUNG guy, but he won’t! He thinks he’s some offensive guru.
Whisenhunt is the perfect example of OC’s out there who can coach better than Chan and we need one at Tech now!
By Matthew
January 25, 2006 11:28 AM | Link to this
Ironfeet…
Word is, Wisenhunt might just turn down the Raiders HC position (as did Al Saunders) because he doesn’t want to work for that crazy old man (and Terence Moore’s best friend), Al Davis.
Now, thinking that Mora might just be fired next year (because he’s hooked himself permanately to that sinking anchor, Greg Knapp), then Wisenhunt might be in the picture for the Falcons.
That’s a lot of ifs, but you never know… stranger things have happened.
By Austin
January 25, 2006 12:16 PM | Link to this
i like sour cabbage patch kids
By northwestDAWG
January 25, 2006 02:11 PM | Link to this
SteelerDAWG, your’re right about 2 things and the 3rd one is up for grabs. 1. We’re both DAWGS. 2. The division Seattle plays in is weak. “Hawks didn’t plan it that way just that’s the way the cards were dealt. The worst thing that could happen to the Steelers did. Alexander broke out of his slump against a pretty good defensesive team. Our passing game is just as good as yours. You have a big advantage in the former Dawg named Ward in the receiveing corp. Our Dawg, Strong is a great blocker and he’ll win most of the battles against your LBs. After Ward, our reveivers are even with yours and overall maybe a little better. Our MLB, Tatupu, is also from USC. No matter what this has the makings of a great Super Bowl and the “Hawks” will pull the upset, just like the DAWGS and win 30-24
By Martin
January 25, 2006 02:18 PM | Link to this
Carroll, you ignorant (bleep). Musgrave is not going to be the O-Coordinator, he’s going to be the QB coach. get a grip
By Bill Cowher
January 25, 2006 02:39 PM | Link to this
Wiz, as we refer to him here in Pittsburgh, isn’t going anywhere. I’m going to allow him to talk to the Raiders after the Super Bowl, but when he sees what a s** that place is, he’ll be on the next plane back to Steeler Country!
Steelers 34 Seahawks 21
By northwestDAWG
January 25, 2006 02:58 PM | Link to this
Hey Bill Cowher! everyone in the nation picked Carolina to beat us! ‘Hawks-30/Stellers-24
By Austin Rhodes
January 25, 2006 05:32 PM | Link to this
Augusta Georgia is PROUD to call Coach WIZ our own…and NOW…UGA ALUM Arnold Harrison (also an Augustan) has been placed on the active roster for the SB.
Augusta Steelers REPRESENT in Detroit!
AR
By Drew
January 25, 2006 07:01 PM | Link to this
NorthwestDawg, Just like your DAWGS your HAWKS are going to get smoked in the big one. Go Mountaineers!!
By Dan in Augusta
January 25, 2006 07:30 PM | Link to this
JEFF,
I LIKED YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT: “The coaching staff spoon-feeds him an offense that plays to his strengths. If he has a strong arm, let him wing it. If he runs, let him run. Pretty basic stuff. Even for journalism majors.”
UNFORTUNATELY, THE FALCONS ARE NOT MOVING FORWARD. THEY ARE STUCK IN THE SAME WCO RUT. TODAY’S HEADLINE:
FALCONS HIRE MUSGRAVE Adding ex-‘Skins QB coach “huge” in West Coast scheme, Mora says.
Looks like they won’t create an offense for Vick, just shove WCO down his throat!!!
SO SAD, TOO BAD!!!!
By russell sorrells
January 25, 2006 08:56 PM | Link to this
The only hope for Tech football is Curry as AD and Whisenhunt as head coach. Otherwise it’s over.
By northwestDAWG
January 25, 2006 11:29 PM | Link to this
Drew, remember, the Dawgs came from way back and almost beat the “Neers. Difference is the Seahawks won’t get down like that. Steelers won’t get 28 for the whole game much less in the 1st quarter The Steelers are a very good team and so are the ‘Hawks. Could be one of the best ever games.