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Another week, another Fantasy Notebook. ... This time around, the focus is incoming offensive coordinators and other coaching moves, some quarterback-related items and a few other tidbits of interest.

Let's get the ball rolling in Pittsburgh. ... As ESPN.com insider Len Pasquarelli framed it: "In a move that creates stability for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and maintains continuity for the offense," new head coach Mike Tomlin promoted wide receivers coach Bruce Arians to offensive coordinator.

Arians, 54, has been the Steelers' wide receivers coach since 2004. Before that, he was offensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns from 2001-03.

He replaces Ken Whisenhunt, now head coach of the Cardinals.

The promotion of Arians is the second move made by Tomlin to ensure a degree of continuity within the coaching staff and to retain some ties to the philosophies of former Steeler coach Bill Cowher.

Tomlin confirmed during his introductory news conference that highly respected defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau will be retained in that capacity.

Arians has a wide and varied background that includes a stint as head coach at Temple for six seasons. In the NFL, he has worked with the Chiefs, Saints, Colts and Browns.

With the Colts, Arians was Peyton Manning's first quarterbacks coach.

In a related note. ... Perhaps because Roethlisberger regressed last season, leading the NFL with 23 interceptions, quarterbacks coach Mark Whipple won't return.

According to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette staffer Gerry Dulac, Tomlin has tabbed Bengals offensive coordinator Ken Anderson for that role. The move will not be announced until Tomlin finalizes his entire coaching staff.

Anderson was the Jacksonville Jaguars' quarterbacks coach for four seasons before being let go Jan. 2.

Anderson played 16 seasons in Cincinnati and is the Bengals' all-time leading passer. He also spent 10 seasons with the Bengals as quarterbacks coach or offensive coordinator. ...

In Carolina. ... The Panthers hired Cleveland Browns assistant Jeff Davidson as their offensive coordinator Tuesday. Davidson, who was the Browns' assistant head coach/offensive line coach, will take over for Dan Henning, who was fired last week.

Davidson beat out Panthers quarterbacks coach Mike McCoy and Bengals quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese, who both interviewed for the position.

According to Associated Press sports writer Mike Cranston, Davidson's hiring likely means head coach John Fox wants the Panthers to focus on the running game.

Before joining Cleveland, the 39-year-old Davidson spent eight seasons as tight ends/assistant offensive line coach with New England. Corey Dillon rushed for 1,635 yards in 2004, when the Patriots won the Super Bowl.

Davidson left for Cleveland in 2005 and served as the team's offensive coordinator for the final 10 games this season in relief of Maurice Carthon. But Davidson was replaced himself earlier this month by Rob Chudzinski.

"Jeff has worked under some outstanding coaches, has a background with productive offenses and has been part of three Super Bowl victories with the Patriots," Fox said. "He is a highly regarded young coach who has experienced every phase of the NFL as a player and coach and we look forward to having him on our staff."

The Panthers, hampered by numerous injuries, averaged just over 16 points a game, nearly eight fewer than in 2005, when Carolina lost to Seattle in the NFC championship game.

"I am excited about this great opportunity," Davidson said. "It is an outstanding staff and I look forward to the challenge that lies ahead."

Henning was criticized for being too conservative and not getting star receiver Steve Smith more involved in the offense.

Charlotte Observer beat writer Pat Yasinskas advised readers it's unlikely Davidson will bring a drastically different approach to the offense. Fox follows a ball-control philosophy and Davidson's priority will be to improve a running game that struggled this season.

But in an exclusive interview with Gaston Gazette staff reporter Steve Reed, Davidson sounded a bit more open minded.

While he didn't want to discuss specific players and what roles they may play this season until he has a chance to watch Carolina's entire season on tape, Davidson offered some interesting insight into what fans can expect from the offense this year.

Things like screen plays. Using the tight end in the passing game. Becoming more physical up front. Throwing the ball about 50 percent of the time.

"What I would like to do is use my background and the information I learned while I was there (in New England), but I want to create the Carolina offense," Davidson told Reed, "When we start talking through this with the coaches first and then with the players later, from the first time we walk on the field I want to make sure the players feel like this is our offense.

"This is not New England's offense and Carolina is running it -- it's going to be Carolina's offense and we developed it."

That, said Davidson, could make some adjustments as he goes through the process of learning his personnel.

"This is not a dictatorship," he said. "We will find what is best for us. There is flexibility in the system and I have flexibility in the ways I coach. ..."

In Arizona. ... Whisenhunt didn't have to search far to find his defensive and offensive coordinators. As Arizona Republic staffer Kent Somers noted, one was just down the hall, and the other is an old friend.

As expected, Whisenhunt retained Clancy Pendergast as his defensive coordinator, a job Pendergast held for three seasons under Dennis Green. And in a pleasant surprise for Whisenhunt, he was able to hire Todd Haley, the receivers and passing game coordinator in Dallas the past three years, as his offensive coordinator.

Haley was Whisenhunt's first choice for the job, but Dallas initially denied permission to talk with the Cardinals. But when Bill Parcells resigned as coach this week, the Cowboys interviewed Haley for the head coaching job, then released him to talk to the Cardinals.

Haley, 39, has been in the NFL for 10 seasons and coached with Whisenhunt with the Jets in 2000.

"He's come up through the ranks and done a very good job," Whisenhunt said.

Whisenhunt said he would call plays, but Haley will have an integral role implementing the offense and game planning.

Meanwhile, Somers reports that Matt Leinart's contact with Whisenhunt has been limited to one phone conversation that lasted 20 minutes or so. But like everyone else connected with the organization, Leinart came away impressed.

"I think it's going to be great for our football team," Leinart said Thursday. "I think he's going to bring a physical attitude, kind of hard-nosed, but a players' coach. He's young and he's fiery."

The Steelers traditionally have been a power running team, much different than Arizona, whose strength was passing. Leinart stopped short of saying he was concerned that Whisenhunt would bring a grind-it-out mentality to Arizona, but it came up in their conversation.

"He wants to bring a hard-nosed, physical running game," Leinart told Somers, "but at the same time he said he wants to implement all sorts of things that are going to be fun for me.

"Because I told him, 'Coach, we got two of the best receivers in the game,'" Leinart said, referring to Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. "[The Steelers] won a Super Bowl last year and [Roethlisberger] didn't have to do too much. I think [Whisenhunt] is going to bring his style of football, but he made it clear to me that we're going to be throwing the football as well."

One last note here. ... Leinart missed the final game of the season after suffering a sprained left shoulder the week before. The shoulder is improving, he said, and he should be able to resume workouts in a few weeks. He anticipates being "more than ready" by spring. ...

In San Diego. ... Veteran running backs coach Clarence Shelmon has been promoted to the post of offensive coordinator.

Shelmon, 54, deliberated over the offer for a few days before verbally agreeing to a contract on Thursday evening. He replaces Cam Cameron, who last week became the new head coach of the Dolphins.

As Pasquarelli noted, the decision by Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer to elevate Shelmon to the key post, rather than seek candidates from outside the organization, was hardly surprising.

San Diego possesses one of the NFL's most explosive offenses and maintaining continuity within the system was a priority when Cameron departed. In the past three seasons, the Chargers scored over 400 points, and had a club-record 492 points in 2006.

"I believe in the system," Schottenheimer told the San Diego Union-Tribune earlier this week. "You want your players to have a sense of confidence and trust."

Long regarded as one of the NFL's top running backs coaches, Shelmon will be a coordinator for the first time in his career. He is the first black coordinator in franchise history.

As Union-Tribune staffer Kevin Acee noted, in his time with the Chargers, Shelmon has been instrumental in the development of star tailback LaDainian Tomlinson.

In addition to tutoring Tomlinson the past five seasons, Shelmon coached all-time leading rusher Emmitt Smith in Dallas for four seasons. Shelmon also coached running backs for the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams.

Although Shelmon will be a rookie coordinator, Schottenheimer said he will not be involved in play-calling any more than he was with Cameron. ...

In a semi-related note. ... Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers has pulled out of next month's Pro Bowl with a sprained foot and the team has not ruled out the possibility of surgery to repair the injury.

Rivers, who originally injured his right foot when he was sacked in the regular-season finale, aggravated it in San Diego's AFC divisional playoff loss to the New England Patriots.

"He had a slight re-injury, and any time we have that with one of our players, we don't want them playing in the Pro Bowl," general manager A.J. Smith said.

According to the North County Times, Smith likely won't have an update on Rivers' condition until mid-February but for now termed the injury "nothing major."

"The doctors will have to look at it and find out what to do," Smith said. "That could be rest, it could be a boot, it could be minor surgery, it could be major surgery. I have no idea of his status. ..."

For the record, that is not a typo; Smith did say "nothing major" and "it could be major surgery" in the same conversation. ... It bears watching.

In Houston. ... The Texans promoted Mike Sherman to offensive coordinator once it became apparent Sherman was not going to be hired for any of the remaining head-coaching vacancies.

Sherman had two interviews with Arizona, and he was regarded as one of the favorites for the job, but the Cardinals hired Whisenhunt instead.

According to Pro Football Weekly, Gary Kubiak wanted to give Sherman a promotion if he were to remain on the staff.

Sherman, whose title last season was assistant head coach/offense, also worked closely with the offensive line, and he will continue to work with the line. Kubiak will continue to call the plays. ...

In Jacksonville. ... Former Alabama coach Mike Shula was hired as the quarterbacks coach on Thursday. Head coach Jack Del Rio and Shula reached a deal at the Senior Bowl and the team expected a contract to be signed early this week.

Shula went 26-23 in four years at Alabama, but the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Don Shula was fired last November after the team went 6-6 during the regular season.

Shula had been a candidate for the head coaching job with the Dolphins, but his father's former team chose Cameron to replace Nick Saban.

The 41-year-old Shula replaces Anderson, who was one of five assistant coaches fired following the regular-season closer. The Jags already hired former Arizona State coach Dirk Koetter as offensive coordinator and Joe DeCamillis as special teams coordinator.

Shula inherits an unsettled quarterback situation.

Byron Leftwich started the first six games and then was benched in favor of backup David Garrard. Leftwich eventually had ankle surgery and was placed on injured reserve.

But neither quarterback did enough to secure the starting job in 2007.

Leftwich completed 59 percent of his passes for 1,159 yards, with seven touchdowns and five interceptions. He also was sacked nine times.

He said he hurt his ankle during a game in early October and that the injury flared up nearly two weeks later, causing him to struggle in a loss at Houston after he convinced coaches he was ready to play. He was benched the following week.

Garrard completed 60 percent of his passes for 1,735 yards, with 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He was sacked 20 times and replaced by Quinn Gray in the season finale.

As Florida Times-Union beat writer Vito Stellino noted, Del Rio clearly believes the Jaguars need better play from the quarterback position in 2007.

When asked at the end of the season if the Jaguars could win with the quarterbacks on their roster, he said, "not by making the mistakes that we made at the end of the year. ..."

And moving on to the non-coaching related, Fantasy-specific news and notes of interest. ...

In Atlanta. ... In his first interview since Michael Vick's incident at Miami International Airport last week, new head coach Bobby Petrino told Atlanta Journal-Constitution staffer Steve Wyche the episode was "unfortunate" and that it is time to move on.

"I told him I didn't think our first meeting would be under these circumstances, but it was good to get to know him a little bit," Petrino said regarding the face-to-face meeting he and team president/general manager Rich McKay had with Vick last Thursday at team headquarters.

"He told me what happened and how it happened, and from that point we decided we're going to get past that. It's unfortunate but we're going to put that behind us and it's hopefully football from here on. I'm really looking forward to moving on."

Petrino declined to reveal Vick's account of the airport incident. Vick has not spoken to the media since the regular-season finale on Dec. 31.

Vick was cleared Monday of wrongdoing after trying to pass through airport security last Wednesday with a water bottle that contained an unknown "particulate" in a hidden compartment, according to a police report.

Analysis by authorities Friday determined the "particulate" was not an illegal drug, but they did not reveal what the substance was.

Meanwhile, Petrino also defused any talk of a quarterback competition or controversy between Vick and backup Matt Schaub.

"There's no questioning that," Petrino said about Vick being the starting quarterback next season. "That's exactly what I said, and that's how we're going to operate."

Schaub is a restricted free agent who could be signed by another team if it is willing to part with compensation, most likely at least a first-round draft pick. ...

It should be noted that team officials claim to have no intention of trading Vick.

This despite a report on FOXSports.com, citing unnamed NFL sources, claiming the Raiders were preparing to make a run at Vick. The Raiders package would include receivers Randy Moss and Jerry Porter plus the No.1 overall pick in the 2007 draft for Vick and the Falcons first round pick (10th overall).

"There are no plans to trade him or cut him," Kim Shreckengost, executive vice president of operations for Arthur M. Blank Group, said. "Michael is our quarterback and the leader of our team. We have a new head coach who is anxious to start working with him. Everyone has high expectations of him going into next season.

"Michael has those too."

In addition to their desire to keep Vick, the salary-cap ramifications of trading or cutting him would make a move prohibitive.

According to Profootballtalk.com, the salary cap charge that the Falcons would take by trading Vick before June 1 would be $22.25 million. Factoring in the $6 million salary that the team wouldn't have to pay, the net cap hit would be $16.25 million.

That's more than 10 percent of the team's total cap space for 2007.

PFT editor Mike Florio further noted the Falcons would also have to absorb $1 million in 2007 salary for Porter, $9.75 million in salary for Moss -- and the burden of coughing up $25 million or so to the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.

Also in Atlanta. ... It turns out the Falcons' trade for Ashley Lelie will be a one-year deal.

FOXSports.com reports that Lelie voided his contract on Friday and is now scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent.

He had play-time incentives that allowed him to void the final year remaining on his contract and will be among the higher-profile wideouts available on the open market. ...

In Denver. ... Rocky Mountain News beat man Jeff Legwold reports the Broncos want to keep Jake Plummer on the roster.

But they are appreciative enough of the veteran quarterback's 40-18 record as a Broncos starter to try to get him what he wants elsewhere for the 2007 season -- as long as the Broncos get what they want as well.

As general manager Ted Sundquist explained: "A lot of that decision hinges on what [Plummer] wants to do, on where he sees himself at this point in his career.

"Does he see himself as a starting quarterback? Does he see himself as a veteran backup? He's going to have to make that decision."

The market for veteran quarterbacks is expected to be thin during the offseason, so that makes trying to keep Plummer an attractive possibility for the Broncos.

Conversely, it means the list of suitors for a trade would be longer.

Legwold went on to suggest the Texans, Dolphins, Buccaneers and Browns might have an interest in Plummer. If nothing else, all seem to have a need.

Kubiak is looking for a veteran because David Carr's play regressed and Kubiak likes Plummer as a player. Plummer always has said he enjoyed playing for Kubiak, a former Broncos coordinator.

That being the case, it's worth noting that word is circulating around the league that Carr "might" be available for a third-round draft pick.

After checking with league sources, Houston Chronicle staff writer Jerome Solomon advised readers on Saturday that two of those sources said they were aware of it, another said he had not been told that by any reliable source, but got wind of the talk at the Senior Bowl this week. ...

Expect talks, or rumors of talks, to heat up the week before that at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. ...

In Miami. ... According to South Florida Sun-Sentinel columnist David Hyde, what to do with Daunte Culpepper is the No. 1 issue facing Cameron this offseason. While that seems obvious, it's less clear what exactly the issue with Culpepper involves.

Publicly, team officials pointed at Culpepper's surgically repaired knee to explain his problems at quarterback. Privately, Saban felt the knee was fine and the real problem was "further north on the anatomy chart," a Dolphins source told Hyde.

Saban wondered more about Culpepper's head.

It wasn't just the decisions that Culpepper made on the field, holding the ball too long, taking a ridiculous number of sacks and unable to run an admittedly sagging offense before heading to the bench.

According to Hyde, it was the "Prima Daunte stuff" off the field, too.

Not showing up at the Dolphins' news conference to announce his trade (Culpepper had promised the first interview to ESPN). Not studying defenses enough (which led to him holding the ball in confusion). Not adjusting at all to a lost step from surgery or age (which led to more confusion in the pocket).

Hyde reminded readers how Saban said for the first few weeks of the season that the knee wasn't a problem and Culpepper had to adapt his game some.

According to Hyde, that's how Saban really felt.

But he changed his tune when Culpepper went on the shelf, either giving in to the groundswell about his knee or giving Culpepper a face-saving way out.

So, the biggest issue Cameron faces in Miami is clear cut: Do you cut Culpepper or keep him?

One thing not in question is the salary cap. The Dolphins actually would save $1.3 million on next year's cap by releasing him, the Sun-Sentinel's Alex Marvez has reported.

The bottom line? Hyde believes this is why Cameron was hired. Quarterbacks are his specialty. Hyde also advised readers to watch Cleo Lemon in all this. It seems a reach, considering Lemon played just six quarters to finish last season.

But Cameron coached Lemon in San Diego. And asked if Lemon is capable of starting, Cameron had an interesting take.

"He has been a starter," Cameron said, noting the final 2006 game. "Cleo Lemon, I'm pretty sure, unless someone breaks the record this year, was the first player we had [in San Diego] to go three consecutive years and never miss a workout.

"That tells you about Cleo Lemon because I think that's the first and most important thing a quarterback has to be -- the hardest worker in your organization. ..."

In a related note. ... Although Cameron wasn't about to split snaps with Tomlinson in his backfield, he said he prefers a two-back platoon system, possibly with Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams.

"If the one's a great one, then you probably are going to play the one that's the best, like LaDainian, 90 percent of the time," Cameron said. "These guys can't run a ball forever.

"If you've ever seen a running back on Monday, you know what I'm talking about. Ideally, you need two. ..."

In Detroit. ... According to Booth Newspapers beat man Tom Kowalski, now that receiver Mike Furrey is back on board with the team, he's looking forward to another year with offensive coordinator Mike Martz and anticipating a reunion with an old friend.

Furrey, who led the Lions with 98 catches (for 1,086 yards and six touchdowns) last season, signed a three-year contract on Wednesday.

Furrey signed with the Lions as a free agent last year and was originally put in the slot receiving position but was moved to the No. 2 spot for most of the season.

Furrey knows his role with the team will change this season and he'll spend more time in the slot, but he's fine with that, especially if another former St. Louis Rams receiver decides to sign in Detroit as an unrestricted free agent.

"Kevin Curtis is a very good friend of mine and I've talked to him quite a bit," Furrey said. "This offense needs three impact receivers. I expect to contribute on the outside. I'd love to go inside and do everything I did last year."

Curtis would be a better fit at the No. 2 spot for the Lions because he has better downfield speed than Furrey.

"He's looking to go somewhere and contribute and not be a 20- or 30-catch guy. I know he loves this offense," said Furrey, adding that he believes Martz will be back with the Lions next season.

If Martz stays in Detroit, he's made it pretty clear that he doesn't want the Lions to select a quarterback with the second overall pick in the April draft.

Martz believes veteran Jon Kitna is the best person for the job.

Furrey also gave his support to Kitna.

"I have the same feeling as coach Martz does," Furrey told Detroit News staffer Mike O'Hara. "If we were to bring in a quarterback now in this system and this offense, we'd be taking a step back.

"[Kitna] will come back next year with a great understanding of this offense, which takes a long time to get used to."

In Green Bay. ... As I mentioned in a previous Notebook, we can expect Brett Favre's name to remain in the news until the veteran signal caller makes a final decision on his future.

The latest?

According to Hattiesburg American staffer Stan Caldwell, Favre said Tuesday that he has not made a decision about whether he will play next season, but he expected to speak with head coach Mike McCarthy very soon to discuss his future.

"There's not really (a timetable)," said Favre, who makes his offseason home in Hattiesburg. "I said after the last game (Dec. 31) that I'd decide within two weeks, but I probably jumped the gun when I said that. ... (But) I don't want to drag this out as long as I did last year."

Last year Favre waited until late March before announcing that he would return for a 16th NFL season. ...

In Oakland. ... Still plenty of discussion regarding the Raiders' decision to hire Lane Kiffin as head coach. ...

In an article published Monday, SI.com insider Peter King wrote: "I think when Steve Sarkisian turns down your coaching job, and he's an assistant college coach, you're in big, big trouble.

"The Raiders have been embarrassed like never before. And believe me, they definitely wanted Sarkisian and were going to name him the coach.

"But he backed out last Friday, leaving the Raiders with the blackest eye they've ever had. ..."

And with Kiffin, who according to PFW, needs to immediately establish his own voice within the organization and make it clear to the players that he is the one they answer to.

Also according to PFW, they might have a hard time finding takers, but the Raiders will make a real effort to move Porter in the offseason. PFW went on to advise readers that Al Davis is believed to have had as much of an issue with his antics as departed coach Art Shell did. ...

In New York. ... The Giants might have a surprise waiting for them when their offseason program begins on March 19: Plaxico Burress, despite might be there.

That's what Eli Manning is expecting after talking with his enigmatic receiver, who has skipped the program in both of his years as a Giant so he could work out at the University of Miami -- and hinted earlier this month that he planned to do the same this year.

"I've talked to Plaxico a few times and it sounds like he might be here a little bit more this offseason," Manning said yesterday. "We've just got to see as that approaches."

Manning wasn't as sure about Jeremy Shockey, another regular absentee, but the quarterback was hopeful, saying he had to check with his tight end "to see what his plans are."

"I think there comes a time where you should get together," Manning told the New York Daily News. "I don't think it has to start March 19.

"But once you start throwing routes and getting into our offense and running plays, I definitely think it would be important to have guys around to throw with."

And finally, in Cincinnati. ... With Chris Henry coming off a two-day jail sentence for giving alcohol to minors last April -- and quite likely facing further league sanctions as a result, Bengals owner Mike Brown expects the troubled receiver to remain on the team in 2007.

"There's only so much we can do in these situations," Brown explained. Because of NFL and players union rules, "We can't act as forcefully as we did in the past."

What about a trade?

"It's hard to trade a player who has a can tied to his tail," the owner said. ...

That's it for this week's Notebook. I'll check in again next Sunday. ... In the meantime, keep an eye on the News & Views section of this site for late-breaking news and other tidbits of interest. Watch the Headline News section for more in-depth reviews of current events -- including the Fantasy Notebook.