AJ Smith to Cowher: "You're Hired"

What an interesting turn of events today. While I didn't believe the rumor site I was reading - ESPN officially has this on their NFL links. It's a sad day for Steeler fans everywhere. Can you imagine how Marty Schottenheimer must feel? At meetings late last week concerning the draft, AJ Smith and Alex Spanos both strongly disagreed with the Charger's newly hired coach Norv Turner's decision for the direction the team should go. Both sides became animated with Turner apparently leaving the meeting without exchanging olive branches. An inside source claims Turner was supposed to have input on all personnel decisions but so far has been squashed by AJ Smith at every turn. Turner was supposedly allowed to make the 2nd pick after Smith and Spanos get their man in the first round. At the meeting Turner was told he no longer had to scout the 2nd or 3rd rounds, but he could finish out rounds 4 through 7. Turner blew up and threatened to quit AND THEN found out that's exactly what the front office wanted. It seems AJ Smith met with Bill Cowher two days before long-time Cowher mentor and friend Schottenheimer was let go. Cowher named his price and Smith was dealing with Spanos' deep pockets and agreed to the price in principle. After Marty was let go it was speculated that Cowher's last concession point was living in North Carolina during the off-season. He was asking for Spanos' private jet to fly him back and forth across the country every other Monday and the Charger's bye week during the season. When Spanos balked at the request, Cowher pulled out of the secret deal and it never made the papers. Turner was hired but the decision did not resonate with fans. Embarrassed by the backlash from the fans and the national media - Spanos was energized to close the deal with Cowher once and for all. Smith was sent to NC for meetings and was spotted there by media personnel but it was covered by the fact that they were also looking at a draft pick from Eastern Carolina. Once Cowher agreed to the new terms (him flying home every other Monday while Kaye & family get flown out once a month for a week) the only matter left was to fire Turner before he could hire a staff. While first considering asking Turner to move to the front office in order to make room for Cowher, it was decided by Spanos that Smith's ego wouldn't allow it. The plan was then concocted to promise Norv certain picks in the draft and then take them away. It all came to a head earlier today for Norv. Once reality hit him, he stepped aside like a gentleman (since they agreed to pay him for this year - $5 million dollars). Cowher, who said he left in order to be with his family - will now look like a money hungry trader to the team, the front office and especially us fans. The reported deal will make him the highest paid coach in the league. It's guaranteed for 5 years and $50 million dollars. Yes, Mr. Cowher is the first $10 million dollar a year coach. Asked about Hines Ward's comments in a magazine earlier this month where he speculated that if Bill coached too early some players may not forgive him, Cowher said "I'm surprised and sorry Hines feels that way seeing that he knows firsthand that you have to take action to take care of yourself." - obviously referring to Ward's contract holdout the year of the Super Bowl run. I'm not sure how I feel about this yet as it hasn't sunk in. I really thought if and when he did come back, he'd go to an NFC team. I guess I was wrong. I guess we were all wrong. In actuality, we were all fooled by his act this day in April.