Al Davis always has loved having Heisman Trophy winners on his Raiders roster. Cornerback Charles Woodson has one of those on his resume, and for eight seasons he worked that bit of leverage with the big man upstairs for all it was worth. But at a price tag exceeding $12.6 million -- the cost of a third consecutive franchise tag for an oft-injured defensive back who hasn't played a full 16-game season since 2001 -- Woodson's value as a collector's item has expired. And his days in a Raiders uniform are over. The deadline for NFL teams to place franchise or transition tags on players is Thursday, and neither Bay Area team will use the designation on its roster.

Not even the most ardent Art Shell supporters could have been too enthused about the returning coach's answer regarding Kerry Collins upon his hiring. "All I can say is Kerry Collins has been an outstanding quarterback," Shell said at his introductory press conference last Saturday. "Matter of fact I just spoke to Kerry before I came down here. He is excited about moving forward next year. He is an exciting quarterback. I think he has a chance to be great for us. But those issues will be addressed down the road." If Shell's already getting on the phone with the guy and talking him up, this sure sounds like a coach counting on Collins to be his QB in 2006. In fact, quite frankly, the Raiders have done nothing to suggest they aren't still completely in love with Collins, as revolting a thought as that might be to 97.9 percent of the fans out there.

Al Davis had grown sick of watching his rivals beat up on the Oakland Raiders, outplaying, outcoaching and even out-toughing his team. The swagger that once made the Raiders the NFL's most intimidating team and contributed so much to his mantras of "Commitment to Excellence" and "Just Win Baby" had long left the franchise. After suffering through three straight losing seasons for the first time since joining the franchise more than four decades ago, Davis reached back into the past to try to restore that aura. Davis introduced Art Shell as his new coach Saturday, bringing back his former Hall of Fame offensive lineman and head coach to turn his struggling organization around. "It may take us a short while, but we'll get that nastiness of the Raiders back," Davis said. "That's one of the reasons I'm going to depend on the great Art Shell to help us get that done."

After considering outsiders such as Ken Whisenhunt, Bobby Petrino and Mike Martz, the Raiders went with one of their own and hired Art Shell as their new coach. Shell will be announced Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET as the new coach of the Raiders. He replaces Norv Turner, who was fired after two seasons and went to the 49ers as offensive coordinator. In hiring Shell, Raiders boss Al Davis was able to correct a move he said was a mistake more than a decade ago. Davis fired Shell after the 1994 season. Shell, who was 56-41 as the Raiders head coach from 1989 to 1994, will get a chance to right that wrong. Shell was working for the NFL when he was called by Davis last week to interview for the job. Shell flew to Oakland and interviewed last Thursday. Once Whisenhunt, the Steelers offensive coordinator, decided to stay with the Steelers and informed the Raiders of his intentions Thursday, Davis put in a call to Shell.

University of Louisville coach Bobby Petrino confirmed that he turned down the Oakland Raiders job for the third time, including another proposal on Wednesday night that would have paid him $18 million over five years. Petrino told ESPN's Chris Mortensen that he was flattered by the Raiders' persistence but that he was committed to Louisville and did not feel his family was ready for a move. Petrino is the only coach to whom the Raiders have offered the position. Former Raiders coach Art Shell has now emerged as the front-runner to return to his former job, ESPN has learned. Current San Diego Chargers receivers coach James Lofton also remains in the running, Mortensen reports. A Raiders source also told Mortensen that there is yet another "mystery candidate" with considerable NFL experience.

After having a good visit Wednesday with Raiders boss Al Davis, Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt informed the Raiders that he would stay with the Steelers. Whisenhunt left Oakland Wednesday night on a red-eye flight without an offer. He was told by Davis that the team would get back to him in a couple of days. Conversations with the team and Whisenhunt continued Thursday morning until Whisenhunt decided that staying with the Steelers was his best move. While talking to Whisenhunt, the Raiders apparently made an offer to Louisville coach Bobby Petrino, who turned them down Wednesday night, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported. It was the third overture to Petrino, who said he was flattered but wanted to remain in Louisville. With Whisenhunt out of the picture, the Raiders could move quickly to return former Raiders coach Art Shell to head coaching duties. Shell interviewed Feb. 2 and told Davis he's ready to serve when necessary. Shell is in the Tampa area for the next couple of days, but he told Davis he's ready to accept the job if offered. Whisenhunt's agent, Eric Metz, stayed over in Oakland on Thursday night, but he left town Thursday without any deal being offered and knowing Whisenhunt's decision.

Former Raiders coach Art Shell interviewed with Oakland managing general partner Al Davis late last week regarding the team's coaching vacancy, a person in the front office confirmed Monday. Shell is the fifth candidate known to have interviewed with the Raiders in person. Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt probably will be the sixth, as he is expected in town today or Wednesday, a person close to Whisenhunt said. Shell followed former Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Al Saunders, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive-line coach Rod Marinelli, San Diego Chargers wide-receivers coach James Lofton and Raiders quarterbacks coach John Shoop as those receiving face-to-face interviews.

The Oakland Raiders plan to interview Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt in the coming days for their coaching vacancy. If Whisenhunt hits it off with Raiders owner Al Davis and senior personnel executive Michael Lombardi, things could progress quickly this week for the team to hire Norv Turner's successor. Oakland has been without a head coach for more than a month since Turner was fired Jan. 3, and the new coach will need time to set his staff and be involved in planning the offseason workout program.