After spending the first week of their search for a new head coach perusing candidates with credentials on the offensive side of the ball, the Oakland Raiders will turn to defense this week, with an interview set with Rod Marinelli of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The much-respected defensive line coach, widely considered one of the best mentors in the NFL at his position, will huddle on Monday with team officials. Marinelli, 56, will be at least the third candidate to interview for the vacancy created when the Raiders fired Norv Turner three days after the 2005 season concluded. The club has met with Kansas City offensive coordinator Al Saunders and San Diego receivers coach James Lofton. Oakland officials are also attempting to arrange an interview with Fresno State coach Pat Hill.

He went back and forth and, after several days of deliberation, Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin decided he will be back with the Bucs in 2006. Kiffin, 65, was sought by St. Louis officials earlier this week to interview for the Rams' head coach vacancy. But on Wednesday morning, when he was to fly to St. Louis, Kiffin changed his mind and told the Rams he was staying put. He then had second thoughts and put himself back in the running but then decided Friday he wouldn't pursue the Rams job. "After further discussions today with [general manager] Bruce Allen and coach [Jon] Gruden, I have decided to stay with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers," Kiffin said in a Friday evening statement released by the team. "As I stated on Thursday, there is no doubt that this is a great place to coach. I like the makeup of our team and I'm looking forward to working with the returning players on defense. I appreciate the interest that the St. Louis Rams have expressed in me and really think very highly of their organization, starting with [team president] John Shaw."

Carnell Williams, appropriately enough, ran away with The Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award. The Tampa Bay running back nicknamed "Cadillac" was the sleek, fast and powerful model the Buccaneers needed to spark their offense. He became a starter immediately, rushed for 1,178 yards and six touchdowns, and was the catalyst in the Buccaneers' turnaround from also-ran to NFC South champion. Williams drew 47 votes Wednesday from a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the NFL. His running mate at Auburn, Ronnie Brown of the Dolphins, received one vote, as did tight end Heath Miller of Pittsburgh and offensive lineman Logan Mankins of New England. "It's always been my dream to play on this level," said Williams, the fifth overall pick in last year's draft. "Ever since I was a kid, playing football in the backyard, middle school, high school, college, I was working to get to this level. To come out here and be named offensive rookie of the year is an amazing

Carnell Williams, appropriately enough, ran away with The Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Cadillac Williams, the fifth pick in the 2005 draft, ran for 1,178 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie. The Tampa Bay running back nicknamed "Cadillac" was the sleek, fast and powerful model the Buccaneers needed to spark their offense. He became a starter immediately, rushed for 1,178 yards and six touchdowns, and was the catalyst in the Buccaneers' turnaround from also-ran to NFC South champion. Williams drew 47 votes Wednesday from a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the NFL. His running mate at Auburn, Ronnie Brown of the Dolphins, received one vote, as did tight end Heath Miller of Pittsburgh and offensive lineman Logan Mankins of New England. "It's always been my dream to play on this level," said Williams, the fifth overall pick in last year's draft. "Ever since I was a kid, playing football in the backyard, middle school, high school, college, I was working to get to this level. To come out here and be named offensive rookie of the year is an amazing accomplishment. That's a great honor."