Art Shell Finally Gets a Second Chance

The Oakland Raiders officially rehired Art Shell as their head coach today, righting a wrong that was done more than a decade ago. Despite going 56-41 and leading his team to three playoff appearances and one AFC Championship game in six years, this is the first head coaching opportunity Shell's had since the Raiders fired him after the 1994 season.

Bill Belichick went 5-11 in his last year in Cleveland, and waited only three seasons for another opportunity. Art Shell went 9-7 in his last year in Oakland, and he had to wait 11 seasons. Meanwhile, the phone never stopped ringing for retreads like Norv Turner, Dom Capers, Dave Wannstadt and Dick Jauron. Wonder what the difference between Shell and these guys could be? Hmmm.

The Cleveland Browns interviewed Art Shell for the job in 1999, but went with Chris Palmer instead. As Vinny will attest, I thought that was a mistake. Shell was a Hall of Fame offensive tackle, and he knows line play and appreciates its importance. That's why I think Shell would have been a good choice for the new Browns.

Perhaps this is wishful thinking, but if Shell had been at the helm, I doubt he'd have let the Cleveland Browns talk themselves into the idea that an expansion team could cobble together an effective offensive line via free agency and late round picks. I think that bit of foolishness is the single biggest reason that the Browns find themselves starting on their third five-year plan in seven years.

I'm glad he got a second chance, and I will be rooting for Art Shell next season, but he's walking into a terrible situation in Oakland. That team leads the league in clubhouse cancers, and if he doesn't win fast, Davis will not hesitate to pull the plug on him yet again.