Whisenhunt: No bitter feelings toward Steelers

[mesaSteeler]

Whisenhunt: No bitter feelings toward Steelers
http://blogs.usatoday.com/thehuddle/...hunt-no-b.html

TAMPA -- It may be their first Super Bowl, but Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt says his team will not be starstruck when then play the Steelers on Sunday.

Ignore the distractions. And follow Kurt Warner's example, Whisenhunt told his team

"When you have a player with Kurt's credentials ..." Whisenhunt said of his two-time MVP, Super Bowl-winning quarterback.

"When he talks to the team about this experience, it carries a great deal of weight."

Whisenhunt will face off against the team he coaches, as offensive coordinator to a Super Bowl title three years ago. He joined the Cardinals in 2007 at the same time the Steelers had an opening to replace Bill Cowher.

Does he have any bad feelings that he was not given the Pittsburgh head job?

"There was never any sting leaving the Steelers," Whisenhunt said, rejecting the notion that he was Cowher's heir apparent.

"I was excited about joining the Cardinals."

He wouldn't concede that there may be special motivation beating his former team.

"It's a little different emotionally," Whisenhunt said. "A lot of the people, coaches from my last trip are here.

"But they're my opponents this time."

The Cardinals, who landed in Tampa at mid-afternoon before arriving at their hotel, the Grand Hyatt, met with reporters shortly before seeing their temporary practice facility.

The team left after Whisenhunt's news conference to visit the Buccaneers' team headquarters, where they will work out this week.
Posted by Sean Leahy at 05:04 PM/ET, January 26, 2009 | Permalink