(Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
With an outrageous take, Doug Whaley might have just put himself out of contention for the Steelers' general manager job. On Wednesday, Whaley was on 93.7 The Fan and claimed that Steelers Hall of Fame linebacker Jack Ham would be a backup special teams player in today's game.
"He'd be a backup special teams player today. He couldn't play in this era. He just couldn't," Whaley said.
Whaley said it’s just a different game today. “Show me a linebacker that weighs 215 pounds that plays in the NFL today."
Ham is a four-time Super Bowl Champion, six-time First-Team All-Pro, eight-time Pro Bowler, is a member of the NFL’s 100th Anniversary All-Time Team and is a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor.
In 12 seasons, Ham had 21 fumble recoveries and 32 interceptions. His 53 combined turnovers are the most in NFL history for a linebacker. Ham is regarded as one of the best outside linebackers in the history of the game. While not getting as much recognition as teammate Jack Lambert, many believe Ham was the better linebacker of the two. Vince Williams agrees.
Williams also thinks Ham would be first-team All-Pro in today's game, as his numbers would transcend eras.
Whaley, who is a former Steelers executive and Bills general manager, is among five candidates who have had second interviews with the Steelers for the vacant general manager position. The four other candidates are John Spytek, the vice president of player personnel for the Buccaneers; Ryan Cowden, the vice president of player personnel for the Titans; Steelers vice president of football and business administration Omar Khan, and Eagles vice president of player personnel Andy Weidl, a Mt. Lebanon native who began his NFL career with the Steelers. Khan's interview was on Tuesday and Weidl's occurred on Wednesday.
Brandon Hunt, the team’s pro scouting coordinator, is expected to have a second interview on Thursday, according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Hunt interviewed this week for the assistant general manager vacancy with the Bills, along with previously interviewing for a high position in the Eagles front office.
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