Reeling Raiders replace beleaguered offensive coordinator

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The Oakland Raiders replaced offensive coordinator Tom Walsh on Tuesday, promoting tight ends coach John Shoop to take charge of the team's struggling offense.

Walsh is a close friend of coach Art Shell, having served as his offensive coordinator during Shell's first stint as Raiders coach. But Walsh had been out of the NFL since being fired with Shell after the 1994 season and was the recipient of much of the blame for the NFL's worst offense.

Walsh's previous jobs as a bed and breakfast operator and mayor of Swan Valley, Idaho, made him the butt of jokes during the team's struggles. But Shell stood by Walsh despite all the criticisms, including those from players.

Shell said earlier in the season that he does not like changing his coaching staff during the season, but the move was made anyway with five games left. Shell called it a "difficult decision" that had to be made for the good of the team.

"Tom has been diligent in his effort to get our offense going in the right direction," Shell said in a statement. "In no way should the lack of a more successful offense be placed totally at his feet. Everyone plays a part in the success of any team. ... We look forward to John's input as we continue our goal of bringing the Raiders back to prominence."

Letting O-coach Tom Walsh go was a 'difficult decision' for good friend Art Shell. (Getty Images)

The Bears won just 11 games in Shoop's final two seasons as coordinator and many players complained about his play calling when coach Dick Jauron was fired.

"I think it's a great opportunity for coach Shoop and a great opportunity for us as well," receiver Alvis Whitted said in a phone interview. "It's unfortunate for our offensive coordinator that he had to get demoted. I guess that's just part of this business. It's a bottom-line business."

Tuesday is an off day for the Raiders, so Whitted said he wouldn't know how the team's game plan would change under Shoop until Wednesday.

Walsh was unavailable for comment. He will remain on the staff.

Oakland (2-9) has scored a league-low 132 points this year and is assured of a fourth straight losing season for the first time in franchise history. The Raiders were last in the league in passing offense and total offense, and 21st in rushing offense.

The return of starting quarterback Aaron Brooks from an injury has provided a spark the past two weeks, but has not been enough to help the team win.

"Our defense has been playing very well, and we as an offense have not been playing up to par," Whitted said. "We've gotten a lot better and you can see it in our play the last few weeks. Collectively, we need to continue to get better."