Pittsburgh West? Many Cardinals have Steelers ties
Oct 19, 2011, 4:17 PM | Updated: 6:11 pm
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a familiar team to many on the
Arizona Cardinals staff.
The Cardinals feature four players and seven coaches who
at one point used to either play or coach for Sunday’s
opponent.
Here’s the list of all the former Steelers that are now
employed by the Cards.
The Coaches
• Ken Whisenhunt
Whisenhunt, the current head coach of the Cardinals.
Whisenhunt coached for the Steelers from 2001 to 2006. He
was the tight ends coach between 2001-2003, then was
promoted to offensive coordinator at the start of the 2004
season, where he stayed before leaving for the Cardinals
in 2007. He helped coach the Steelers to a Super Bowl
victory in 2005.
• Russ Grimm
Grimm is currently the assistant head coach and offensive
line coach. Grimm held the same title while in Pittsburgh.
He was with the Steelers the same years Ken Whisenhunt was
with the team.
• Ray Horton
Horton was the defensive backs coach for the Steelers for
seven seasons, 2004-2010. Pittsburgh defenses ranked in
the top ten of the league every season Horton was on the
staff, and he also helped develop players like Troy
Polamalu and Ike Taylor. Horton brought a version of Dick
LeBeau’s 3-4 defense to Arizona, something the team is
still adjusting to.
• John Lott
Although Lott has never coached for the Steelers he did
play for the team in 1987 as an offensive lineman. Lott is
the current strength and conditioning coach for the
Cardinals.
• Matt Raich
Raich is yet another former Steeler that followed head
coach Whisenhunt to the desert, currently serving as the
linebackers coach. Raich was with the Steelers from 2004
to 2006, serving as an offensive assistant to
Whisenhunt.
• Deshea Townsend
Townsend is in his first season as a coach, serving as the
assistant defensive backs coach. Prior to beginning his
coaching career Townsend played cornerback for the
Steelers for 12 seasons, 1998-2009. He won two Super Bowls
with the team, playing under many of the current
coaches on the Cardinals.
• Kevin Spencer
Spencer is currently serving as the special teams coach
after holding down the same position for Pittsburgh from
2002 to 2006 In 2003 was named the NFL Special Teams Coach
of the Year.
The Players
• Joey Porter
Porter is the most notable ex-Steeler still playing for
the Cardinals. Porter spent his first eight seasons with
the Steelers before moving on to Miami, where he played
before making his way here to Arizona. Porter compiled 60
sacks while wearing the black and yellow.
• Nick Eason
The defensive tackle spent the past four seasons in
Pittsburgh. Eason played in 55 games and had 63 total
tackles and three sacks in his time with the Steelers.
This season Eason has played in all five games, recording
two total tackles.
• Clark Haggans
The linebacker played with the Steelers between 2001-2007.
During his seven seasons with Pittsburgh Haggans recorded
316 tackles, 32.5 sacks and forced 12 fumbles. In four
season with the Cardinals he has 152 tackles, 11 sacks and
four forced fumbles.
• Crezdon Butler
Crezdon has only played two NFL season, his first with
Pittsburgh. With the Steelers he only played in four
games, recording just one tackle. This season Butler has
played in one game, has since been put on injured reserve.
