Football Don Banks Coaches on the Hot Seat: December - Page 3

Deberg_1990 · 12-02-2008, 01:18 PM

Personally, id love to see Spagnuolo come in to KC and shake things up.

5. Herm Edwards, Kansas City -- That win at Oakland on Sunday was only Kansas City's second in its past 21 games, and there's not many coaches who could survive a 2-19 run in the NFL. But Edwards could be one of them, if -- and it's a big if -- Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson returns. I just don't know how owner Clark Hunt sells another season of Peterson and Edwards to the frustrated fans of Kansas City.

• Pink slip potential: 55 percent.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...hes/index.html

For starters, we take note of the premise that whatever works is always instantly emulated in the NFL. And then we remind you that all four of this season's four rookie head coaches have teams in legitimate playoff contention, with winning records and a combined mark of 30-18 entering Week 14. Will it be any wonder then if the NFL owners who go looking for a coach this offseason are trying to identify the next John Harbaugh, Tony Sparano, Jim Zorn or Mike Smith, men who landed jobs last year with little (Smith) or no (the other three) NFL experience at the coordinator level?

Adding to the perception that coordinating has become a non-essential part of a head coach's background is the success of Mike Tomlin and Eric Mangini -- both of whom were one-year coordinators before landing head coaching jobs -- and the recent struggles of respected coordinators such as Cam Cameron, Scott Linehan, Romeo Crennel, Brad Childress and Mike Nolan.

But with my third installment of this year's NFL coaching hot seat rankings (see the first two here and here) heating up to include an even dozen names as December dawns, there's enough potential openings in the headset crowd to defy any one particular hiring trend. Our goal in this case is to give you not only an up-to-the-minute reading of which current NFL head coaches are most vulnerable to pending unemployment, but to offer an early preview of the leading potential candidates to interview for and win those jobs.

First, a look at the likely head coaching prospects, roughly grouped from the most popular to the long-shots on the list. Following that will be a fresh temperature reading of the league's coaching hot seats....

The A List
• Bill Cowher -- If, as expected, he chooses to peel off his TV persona and end his two-year hiatus from the sideline, the former Steelers coach will essentially have his pick of the openings. Cleveland would roll out the red carpet for him, and Detroit could be an intriguing possibility as well.

• Steve Spagnuolo -- The Giants defensive coordinator will be in high demand for a second consecutive offseason, especially if New York rides the wave all the way to another Super Bowl appearance. St. Louis is one team known to be in the market for a defensive-oriented head coach.

• Jim Schwartz -- After strong interviews last offseason in Washington, Miami and Atlanta, Schwartz is nearly certain of parlaying the success of Tennessee's defense into a No. 1 job this time around. He's smart, articulate, extremely well prepared, and his coaching pedigree includes having worked for both Bill Belichick and Jeff Fisher.

• Josh McDaniels -- The Patriots 32-year-old offensive coordinator has only enhanced his résumé this season, proving he can craft successful game plans with or without league MVP Tom Brady at quarterback. It might take just the right situation for McDaniels to leave Foxboro, but I could see the Chargers, led by Patriots-envying general manager A.J. Smith, being an enticing option.

• Jason Garrett -- No surprise here, but if the curtain falls on the Wade Phillips era in Dallas, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones will toss the keys to Garrett, who he kept away from both Baltimore and Atlanta last offseason with just such a plan of succession in mind.

The Next Best Things
• Pete Carroll -- Nobody's predicting a return to the NFL, but if the USC coach was of a mind to get involved anywhere -- San Francisco, we're looking in your direction -- he'd get his phone call promptly returned. But he's likely not going anywhere. (NOTE: Two other high-profile college coaches who roughly fall into the same category are Florida's Urban Meyer and Oklahoma's Bob Stoops. There, we've done our due diligence and mentioned them).

• Marty Schottenheimer -- The word is he badly wants back in, and his first choice is Cleveland, where his long head-coaching career began in 1984. He might be the Browns' fallback plan if there's no Cowher in their future.

• Rex Ryan -- The Ravens veteran defensive coordinator nearly landed the Baltimore job last year, and then he subjugated his ego and stayed on staff to work, and work well, with Harbaugh. The Ravens' resurgence this season only makes his resume that much stronger.

• Mike Mularkey -- As the Falcons' first-year offensive coordinator, Mularkey has quietly done one of the best coaching jobs in the NFL this season, putting rookie quarterback Matt Ryan into the position to win right away. He has also gotten the best from Atlanta's Michael Turner-led running game and an offensive line that few thought would achieve so much. His previous NFL head coaching experience in Buffalo won't hurt him a bit.

• Kirk Ferentz -- Here's a scenario I'm hearing from a league source: If Browns general manager Phil Savage manages to keep his job, which is far from a certainty, he'll go hard after Ferentz as Crennel's replacement. After 10 years as Iowa's head coach, Ferentz might finally consider the time is right for a return to the NFL. The Hawkeyes rebounded this year to 8-4 and knocked off undefeated Penn State in November.

Some Names to Know
• Jim Harbaugh -- Though his name surfaced in regards to Oakland's interest in him a few weeks back, the Stanford head coach doesn't have to settle for that losing proposition. Harbaugh, the ex-NFL quarterback, has name recognition, great motivational skills and he's known as a high-energy, positive individual. And the head coaching success of his brother, John, in Baltimore makes him even more attractive.

While the NFL could come calling, another possibility to keep an eye on is Notre Dame. Harbaugh is extremely popular in Indiana following his successful career with the Colts, and he's known as a great recruiter. Given Harbaugh's public rebuke of his alma mater, Michigan, last year, wouldn't that spice up the Irish-Wolverine rivalry?

• Mike Leach -- The Texas Tech head coach wouldn't be a fit for everyone. He's an offensive innovator in the Mike Martz mold, but he's a bit of a loose cannon -- also a Martz-ian trait -- and that would scare off some teams. But it only takes one NFL owner who's intrigued enough to interview him, and then who knows? What if Leach wound up going from the Red Raiders to the Raiders?

• Raheem Morris -- Haven't heard of the Bucs defensive backs coach? You will. For one thing, he's thought to be a slam dunk to become Tampa Bay's defensive coordinator should Monte Kiffin join his son's staff at the University of Tennessee. But Morris is also thought of as the next Mike Tomlin, whom he worked under in Tampa Bay as recently as 2005. He's got a winning and magnetic personality, and though he's only 32 -- younger than Bucs veterans Derrick Brooks and Ronde Barber -- his players rave about his fiery coaching style and his ability to motivate.

• DeWayne Walker -- Walker has spent the past three seasons as UCLA's defensive coordinator, but he's also got a wealth of NFL experience to draw from, having served as an assistant under a virtual who's who of coaches: Pete Carroll (at New England and USC), Bill Belichick (New England), Joe Gibbs (Washington), and Jim Fassel (Giants). His collegiate background includes coaching stints under Steve Mariucci (Cal) and LaVell Edwards (BYU), and he's thought of as one of the brighter young coaching minds in the game.

• Brian Kelly -- Though the second-year University of Cincinnati head coach isn't thought to be quite ready for the NFL just yet, don't forget his name. You can bet the struggling Bengals won't, given that he's right under their nose. Kelly's a proven winner and after leading the lowly Bearcats to a Big East title, a 10-2 record, and a BCS Bowl (probably the Orange) this season. His name has surfaced in connection with head coaching jobs at Notre Dame, Washington and Tennessee. His lack of NFL experience hurts for now.

• Karl Dorrell -- The Dolphins receivers coach has five years of head coaching experience at UCLA (2003-07), but no NFL coordinating stops on his résumé. But as a well-thought of position coach within the league, he'd be the kind of insightful pick that some team owners have made in recent years. He served on Mike Shanahan's staff in Denver from 2000-2002, and was hired by Bill Parcells in Miami this year. That will get him noticed by those owners who do their homework.

• Todd Haley -- Thanks to Arizona's success, the Cardinals offensive coordinator has a little buzz surrounding his name these days. Haley gets some credit for the effectiveness of the Cardinals' Kurt Warner-led passing game, and he too benefits from representing a branch of the Parcells coaching tree, having served on The Tuna's Cowboys staff.

• Jim Fassel -- You can expect Fassel to take the Raiders job if Al Davis doesn't retain Tom Cable and can't find anyone else to say yes. Fassel will try to get involved in St. Louis as well, but as we noted earlier, the Rams are said to be inclined to go with a defensive-minded coach.

• Mike Tice -- Jacksonville's assistant head coach hasn't been helped by the Jaguars poor season, but he has one key supporter within the league: Parcells, who talks him up to anyone who asks. That could gain the ex-Vikings head coach an interview or two.

• Mike Holmgren -- I happen to believe that the Seattle head coach will follow through on his plan to take at least a one-year sabbatical from the NFL, but speculation surrounding his possible interest in the 49ers head coaching job was inevitable, given his history with the team and the area.

The Hot Seat Rankings
1. Rod Marinelli, Detroit -- No way, no how the Lions sell tickets for 2009 with Marinelli still around. Time to put Matt Millen's final coaching hire out of his misery. A historic 0-16 season wouldn't even require an explanation, just a firing and a press conference.

• Pink slip potential: 99 percent.

2. Jim Haslett, St. Louis -- After those hopeful first two wins over Washington and Dallas after he took over for Scott Linehan, Haslett's Rams have laid down and died like dogs, dropping six straight. Most of them in the ugly blowout fashion. Look for the Rams to try and land a high-profile defensive coordinator like Spagnuolo, Schwartz or Rex Ryan.

• Pink slip potential: 95 percent.

3. Romeo Crennel, Cleveland -- League sources I talk to say it's 50-50 that Browns owner Randy Lerner blows up the whole thing and starts over in Cleveland with a new general manager and a new head coach. But those odds are on both Savage and Crennel to be fired together. When you ask around regarding just Crennel, it approaches a foregone conclusion that he's gone.

• Pink slip potential: 90 percent.

4. Wade Phillips, Dallas -- To be sure, the Cowboys' season-saving three-game winning streak has lightened the pressure on Phillips -- for now. But it's still all about playoff success, or bust, in Dallas this season. Since the Cowboys are going to have to go the wild-card route -- if they go at all to the playoffs -- that makes it a very difficult road to ride.

• Pink slip potential: 75 percent.

5. Herm Edwards, Kansas City -- That win at Oakland on Sunday was only Kansas City's second in its past 21 games, and there's not many coaches who could survive a 2-19 run in the NFL. But Edwards could be one of them, if -- and it's a big if -- Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson returns. I just don't know how owner Clark Hunt sells another season of Peterson and Edwards to the frustrated fans of Kansas City.

• Pink slip potential: 55 percent.

6. Mike Singletary, San Francisco -- If the 49ers could split their last four games, after winning Sunday at Buffalo, that late-season momentum might be enough to turn the tide in favor of Singletary getting the interim tag removed from his title. It's a fluid situation, but after a shaky start, Singletary has a shot to survive.

• Pink slip potential: 55 percent.

7. Norv Turner, San Diego -- I really don't believe that Chargers general manager Smith wants to fire Turner, who led San Diego to those two long-awaited playoff victories last January. But he might find himself feeling forced to make a move if the wheels continue to come off for the Chargers in the season's final month. As we said above, New England offensive coordinator McDaniels might be an intriguing option.

• Pink slip potential: 50 percent.

8. Tom Cable, Oakland -- The Raiders could easily fire Cable, of course, but the question in Oakland is who does Davis get to take the job at that point? Cable could stick around, because Davis is said to see a bit of young John Madden in him, and he has had the Raiders playing hard in recent weeks. For Davis, that win at Denver alone is worth considering Cable for the full-time gig.

• Pink slip potential: 50 percent.

9. Gary Kubiak, Houston -- Texans owner Bob McNair has always struck me as a reasonable and largely patient man, and that's probably going to work in Kubiak's favor regarding a fourth season in Houston. Also, don't underestimate the importance of the Texans' big home win over Jacksonville in their first-ever Monday Night Football game. An egg-laying in that one could have really doomed Kubiak.

• Pink slip potential: 35 percent.

10. Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati -- If Lewis was coaching anywhere else, his team's 1-10-1 record this season would be a death sentence. But he's working for an owner in Mike Brown who holds his nose at the thought of paying off a coach to disappear. Brown, who still owes Lewis at least $8 million over the next two years, came out this week and praised Lewis for doing "an incredibly good job'' this season.

• Pink slip potential: 30 percent.

11. Brad Childress, Minnesota -- The Vikings and Childress don't have any reason to get comfortable just yet, but they are 7-5 and in sole possession of first place in the NFC North. A 9-7 record and a division title is probably what it's going to take to make Childress entirely safe. The Vikings have to win at Detroit this week, then get one more W out of the tough final three weeks: At Arizona, then home against Atlanta and the Giants. Fortunately for Minnesota, the Cardinals and Giants will probably have already clinched.

• Pink slip potential: 30 percent.

12. Andy Reid, Philadelphia -- It's not out of the question that a change is in the offing in Philly, but my gut tells me that that Eagles management will give Reid the benefit of the doubt in this, his third non-playoff season in four years. But with three games remaining in the rugged NFC East, the story could still take a downward spiral for the Eagles in December.

• Pink slip potential: 25 percent.

**morphius** · 12-02-2008, 02:51 PM

This is the first year we have every really been under the cap, so I don't think that is valid.

**DaneMcCloud** · 12-02-2008, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morphius

Yes it would be a wise move, if you consider that we have the cap to bring in some FA's that a new HC would like to have. What costs you more, the 3 mill to Herm, or one mistake like Harris?

The only problem with that is that you're not rebuilding.

The Chiefs haven't had a young, talented core of players since 1989.

Think about all of the homegrown talent: Hackett, Burruss, Cherry, Ross, Smith, Okoye, Palmer, Carson, Paige, Pearson, Maas, Alt and on and on.

Since Peterson's arrival, the philosophy has been to sign "talented" free agents and supplement through the draft, which is why the Chiefs have been 9-7, 10-6 with an occasional 13-3 thrown in for good measure. They've never taken a step back, reassessed their philosophy and said "It's time to blow this thing up".

Until now.

**DaneMcCloud** · 12-02-2008, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

There is absolutely no reason why Marvin Lewis, Andy Reid, or Brad Childress should have jobs next week, let alone next year.

Add in Holmgren, Crennel, Turner and Cable. There's going to be massive coaching turnover in 2009.

FloridaMan88 · 12-02-2008, 05:55 PM

I would seriously be in eternal heaven if somehow Mike Leach and Mike Martz ended up with the Chiefs.

However my realistic and choices remain Josh McDaniels as head coach, Scott Pioli as GM and Charlie Weis (if he's axed from Notre Dame) as offensive coordinator.

**DaneMcCloud** · 12-02-2008, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCChiefsfan88

I would seriously be in eternal heaven if somehow Mike Leach and Mike Martz ended up with the Chiefs.

Yeah, that would be great.

No running game, no defense but an offensive jaggernaut.

The Chiefs would lose 51-48 every week.

Sully · 12-02-2008, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCChiefsfan88

I would seriously be in eternal heaven if somehow Mike Leach and Mike Martz ended up with the Chiefs.

However my realistic and choices remain Josh McDaniels as head coach, Scott Pioli as GM and Charlie Weis (if he's axed from Notre Dame) as offensive coordinator.

Weird.
If either of them ended up with the Chiefs, I could possibly go on a killing spree.

BigChiefFan · 12-02-2008, 06:00 PM

$3 million paid for shitcanning Edwards,would be an investment into the fans returning and buying tickets. Guaranteed, they make more by firing him, than they would by sticking with him.

Mecca · 12-02-2008, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Many have said it and I'll say it again: There is ZERO percent chance that Herm's fired.

Should Cleveland have fired Chris Palmer after year one?
Jacksonville fired Tom Coughlin after year one?
Houston fired Dom Capers after year one?

Rebuilding takes TIME. Herm may not be the coach to lead the Chiefs AFTER the rebuilding period but for the time being, he's the RIGHT coach to lead the Chiefs. He's personable, upbeat and won't allow the players to sulk or get down on themselves.

But I'm sure that you and guys like Reerun hope he's fired and replaced with some retread. Then the Chiefs can go out and spend a ton of money on over-priced free agents in hopes of 9-7 or 10-6 for the next few years until THOSE guys are too old and then the Chiefs just repeat the cycle.

Right?

In case you haven't noticed those were expansion teams and also Herm has been here longer than 1 year...

No other organization would retain a coach that had the the span Herm has had over these last 2, not one.

**SAUTO** · 12-02-2008, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mecca

In case you haven't noticed those were expansion teams and also Herm has been here longer than 1 year...

No other organization would retain a coach that had the the span Herm has had over these last 2, not one.

those expansion teams STARTED with better vets than we do now. jus sayin

**Bowser** · 12-02-2008, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Many have said it and I'll say it again: There is ZERO percent chance that Herm's fired.

Should Cleveland have fired Chris Palmer after year one?
Jacksonville fired Tom Coughlin after year one?
Houston fired Dom Capers after year one?

Rebuilding takes TIME. Herm may not be the coach to lead the Chiefs AFTER the rebuilding period but for the time being, he's the RIGHT coach to lead the Chiefs. He's personable, upbeat and won't allow the players to sulk or get down on themselves.

But I'm sure that you and guys like Reerun hope he's fired and replaced with some retread. Then the Chiefs can go out and spend a ton of money on over-priced free agents in hopes of 9-7 or 10-6 for the next few years until THOSE guys are too old and then the Chiefs just repeat the cycle.

Right?

Explain that to the Dolphins, Ravens, and Falcons.

Mecca · 12-02-2008, 07:46 PM

Rebuilding is really no excuse for this stretch the Chiefs have had...

The Chiefs will probably win no more than 3-5 games next year also, should Herm be retained again after that too cause rebuilding takes time?

milkman · 12-03-2008, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowser

Explain that to the Dolphins, Ravens, and Falcons.

Those teams didn't rebuild.

They retooled, while also adding a couple of talented rookies.

milkman · 12-03-2008, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Many have said it and I'll say it again: There is ZERO percent chance that Herm's fired.

Should Cleveland have fired Chris Palmer after year one?
Jacksonville fired Tom Coughlin after year one?
Houston fired Dom Capers after year one?

Rebuilding takes TIME. Herm may not be the coach to lead the Chiefs AFTER the rebuilding period but for the time being, he's the RIGHT coach to lead the Chiefs. He's personable, upbeat and won't allow the players to sulk or get down on themselves.

This thinking makes absolutely no sense.

If he's not the right person to lead this team when the rebuild is complete, then how can anyone justify keeping him during the rebuild?

Are you suggesting that a competent gameday coach is incapable of keeping players upbeat?

If you believe that winning creates a winning attitude, and that losing creates a losing attitude, then the games lost this season as the direct result of Herman ****ing Edwards' sorryass gameday coaching should cost him his job.

There isn't any reason that a coach that can both coach and motivate during this rebuild can't be found to replace this useless ****ing joke that is running things now.

Quote:

But I'm sure that you and guys like Reerun hope he's fired and replaced with some retread. Then the Chiefs can go out and spend a ton of money on over-priced free agents in hopes of 9-7 or 10-6 for the next few years until THOSE guys are too old and then the Chiefs just repeat the cycle.

Right?

Yeah, everyone that wants Herman ****ing Edwards gone wants a retread.

Chiefnj2 · 12-03-2008, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

Those teams didn't rebuild.

They retooled, while also adding a couple of talented rookies.

What's the difference between retooling and rebuilding? The Falcons are getting production from a lot of young players. Is the difference that KC's drafts (last 3 years) haven't worked as well so that playing more draftees from this last years draft class means it is a rebuild, as opposed to Atlanta who might be getting a little more production out of some of the guys they took the last 2-3 years?

milkman · 12-03-2008, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

What's the difference between retooling and rebuilding? The Falcons are getting production from a lot of young players. Is the difference that KC's drafts (last 3 years) haven't worked as well so that playing more draftees from this last years draft class means it is a rebuild, as opposed to Atlanta who might be getting a little more production out of some of the guys they took the last 2-3 years?

The Falcons have a good mix of veteran players and young talent, and drafted the Matt Ryan to be the face of the franchise replacing the old face, Michael Vick.

Ryan is the centerpiece, but look at the two guys that they signed in the offseason who have been huge contributers in Grady Jackson and Michael Turner.

12-02-2008, 01:18 PM
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3914454	Don Banks Coaches on the Hot Seat: December Personally, id love to see Spagnuolo come in to KC and shake things up. 5. Herm Edwards, Kansas City -- That win at Oakland on Sunday was only Kansas City's second in its past 21 games, and there's not many coaches who could survive a 2-19 run in the NFL. But Edwards could be one of them, if -- and it's a big if -- Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson returns. I just don't know how owner Clark Hunt sells another season of Peterson and Edwards to the frustrated fans of Kansas City. • Pink slip potential: 55 percent. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...hes/index.html For starters, we take note of the premise that whatever works is always instantly emulated in the NFL. And then we remind you that all four of this season's four rookie head coaches have teams in legitimate playoff contention, with winning records and a combined mark of 30-18 entering Week 14. Will it be any wonder then if the NFL owners who go looking for a coach this offseason are trying to identify the next John Harbaugh, Tony Sparano, Jim Zorn or Mike Smith, men who landed jobs last year with little (Smith) or no (the other three) NFL experience at the coordinator level? Adding to the perception that coordinating has become a non-essential part of a head coach's background is the success of Mike Tomlin and Eric Mangini -- both of whom were one-year coordinators before landing head coaching jobs -- and the recent struggles of respected coordinators such as Cam Cameron, Scott Linehan, Romeo Crennel, Brad Childress and Mike Nolan. But with my third installment of this year's NFL coaching hot seat rankings (see the first two here and here) heating up to include an even dozen names as December dawns, there's enough potential openings in the headset crowd to defy any one particular hiring trend. Our goal in this case is to give you not only an up-to-the-minute reading of which current NFL head coaches are most vulnerable to pending unemployment, but to offer an early preview of the leading potential candidates to interview for and win those jobs. First, a look at the likely head coaching prospects, roughly grouped from the most popular to the long-shots on the list. Following that will be a fresh temperature reading of the league's coaching hot seats.... The A List • Bill Cowher -- If, as expected, he chooses to peel off his TV persona and end his two-year hiatus from the sideline, the former Steelers coach will essentially have his pick of the openings. Cleveland would roll out the red carpet for him, and Detroit could be an intriguing possibility as well. • Steve Spagnuolo -- The Giants defensive coordinator will be in high demand for a second consecutive offseason, especially if New York rides the wave all the way to another Super Bowl appearance. St. Louis is one team known to be in the market for a defensive-oriented head coach. • Jim Schwartz -- After strong interviews last offseason in Washington, Miami and Atlanta, Schwartz is nearly certain of parlaying the success of Tennessee's defense into a No. 1 job this time around. He's smart, articulate, extremely well prepared, and his coaching pedigree includes having worked for both Bill Belichick and Jeff Fisher. • Josh McDaniels -- The Patriots 32-year-old offensive coordinator has only enhanced his résumé this season, proving he can craft successful game plans with or without league MVP Tom Brady at quarterback. It might take just the right situation for McDaniels to leave Foxboro, but I could see the Chargers, led by Patriots-envying general manager A.J. Smith, being an enticing option. • Jason Garrett -- No surprise here, but if the curtain falls on the Wade Phillips era in Dallas, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones will toss the keys to Garrett, who he kept away from both Baltimore and Atlanta last offseason with just such a plan of succession in mind. The Next Best Things • Pete Carroll -- Nobody's predicting a return to the NFL, but if the USC coach was of a mind to get involved anywhere -- San Francisco, we're looking in your direction -- he'd get his phone call promptly returned. But he's likely not going anywhere. (NOTE: Two other high-profile college coaches who roughly fall into the same category are Florida's Urban Meyer and Oklahoma's Bob Stoops. There, we've done our due diligence and mentioned them). • Marty Schottenheimer -- The word is he badly wants back in, and his first choice is Cleveland, where his long head-coaching career began in 1984. He might be the Browns' fallback plan if there's no Cowher in their future. • Rex Ryan -- The Ravens veteran defensive coordinator nearly landed the Baltimore job last year, and then he subjugated his ego and stayed on staff to work, and work well, with Harbaugh. The Ravens' resurgence this season only makes his resume that much stronger. • Mike Mularkey -- As the Falcons' first-year offensive coordinator, Mularkey has quietly done one of the best coaching jobs in the NFL this season, putting rookie quarterback Matt Ryan into the position to win right away. He has also gotten the best from Atlanta's Michael Turner-led running game and an offensive line that few thought would achieve so much. His previous NFL head coaching experience in Buffalo won't hurt him a bit. • Kirk Ferentz -- Here's a scenario I'm hearing from a league source: If Browns general manager Phil Savage manages to keep his job, which is far from a certainty, he'll go hard after Ferentz as Crennel's replacement. After 10 years as Iowa's head coach, Ferentz might finally consider the time is right for a return to the NFL. The Hawkeyes rebounded this year to 8-4 and knocked off undefeated Penn State in November. Some Names to Know • Jim Harbaugh -- Though his name surfaced in regards to Oakland's interest in him a few weeks back, the Stanford head coach doesn't have to settle for that losing proposition. Harbaugh, the ex-NFL quarterback, has name recognition, great motivational skills and he's known as a high-energy, positive individual. And the head coaching success of his brother, John, in Baltimore makes him even more attractive. While the NFL could come calling, another possibility to keep an eye on is Notre Dame. Harbaugh is extremely popular in Indiana following his successful career with the Colts, and he's known as a great recruiter. Given Harbaugh's public rebuke of his alma mater, Michigan, last year, wouldn't that spice up the Irish-Wolverine rivalry? • Mike Leach -- The Texas Tech head coach wouldn't be a fit for everyone. He's an offensive innovator in the Mike Martz mold, but he's a bit of a loose cannon -- also a Martz-ian trait -- and that would scare off some teams. But it only takes one NFL owner who's intrigued enough to interview him, and then who knows? What if Leach wound up going from the Red Raiders to the Raiders? • Raheem Morris -- Haven't heard of the Bucs defensive backs coach? You will. For one thing, he's thought to be a slam dunk to become Tampa Bay's defensive coordinator should Monte Kiffin join his son's staff at the University of Tennessee. But Morris is also thought of as the next Mike Tomlin, whom he worked under in Tampa Bay as recently as 2005. He's got a winning and magnetic personality, and though he's only 32 -- younger than Bucs veterans Derrick Brooks and Ronde Barber -- his players rave about his fiery coaching style and his ability to motivate. • DeWayne Walker -- Walker has spent the past three seasons as UCLA's defensive coordinator, but he's also got a wealth of NFL experience to draw from, having served as an assistant under a virtual who's who of coaches: Pete Carroll (at New England and USC), Bill Belichick (New England), Joe Gibbs (Washington), and Jim Fassel (Giants). His collegiate background includes coaching stints under Steve Mariucci (Cal) and LaVell Edwards (BYU), and he's thought of as one of the brighter young coaching minds in the game. • Brian Kelly -- Though the second-year University of Cincinnati head coach isn't thought to be quite ready for the NFL just yet, don't forget his name. You can bet the struggling Bengals won't, given that he's right under their nose. Kelly's a proven winner and after leading the lowly Bearcats to a Big East title, a 10-2 record, and a BCS Bowl (probably the Orange) this season. His name has surfaced in connection with head coaching jobs at Notre Dame, Washington and Tennessee. His lack of NFL experience hurts for now. • Karl Dorrell -- The Dolphins receivers coach has five years of head coaching experience at UCLA (2003-07), but no NFL coordinating stops on his résumé. But as a well-thought of position coach within the league, he'd be the kind of insightful pick that some team owners have made in recent years. He served on Mike Shanahan's staff in Denver from 2000-2002, and was hired by Bill Parcells in Miami this year. That will get him noticed by those owners who do their homework. • Todd Haley -- Thanks to Arizona's success, the Cardinals offensive coordinator has a little buzz surrounding his name these days. Haley gets some credit for the effectiveness of the Cardinals' Kurt Warner-led passing game, and he too benefits from representing a branch of the Parcells coaching tree, having served on The Tuna's Cowboys staff. • Jim Fassel -- You can expect Fassel to take the Raiders job if Al Davis doesn't retain Tom Cable and can't find anyone else to say yes. Fassel will try to get involved in St. Louis as well, but as we noted earlier, the Rams are said to be inclined to go with a defensive-minded coach. • Mike Tice -- Jacksonville's assistant head coach hasn't been helped by the Jaguars poor season, but he has one key supporter within the league: Parcells, who talks him up to anyone who asks. That could gain the ex-Vikings head coach an interview or two. • Mike Holmgren -- I happen to believe that the Seattle head coach will follow through on his plan to take at least a one-year sabbatical from the NFL, but speculation surrounding his possible interest in the 49ers head coaching job was inevitable, given his history with the team and the area. The Hot Seat Rankings 1. Rod Marinelli, Detroit -- No way, no how the Lions sell tickets for 2009 with Marinelli still around. Time to put Matt Millen's final coaching hire out of his misery. A historic 0-16 season wouldn't even require an explanation, just a firing and a press conference. • Pink slip potential: 99 percent. 2. Jim Haslett, St. Louis -- After those hopeful first two wins over Washington and Dallas after he took over for Scott Linehan, Haslett's Rams have laid down and died like dogs, dropping six straight. Most of them in the ugly blowout fashion. Look for the Rams to try and land a high-profile defensive coordinator like Spagnuolo, Schwartz or Rex Ryan. • Pink slip potential: 95 percent. 3. Romeo Crennel, Cleveland -- League sources I talk to say it's 50-50 that Browns owner Randy Lerner blows up the whole thing and starts over in Cleveland with a new general manager and a new head coach. But those odds are on both Savage and Crennel to be fired together. When you ask around regarding just Crennel, it approaches a foregone conclusion that he's gone. • Pink slip potential: 90 percent. 4. Wade Phillips, Dallas -- To be sure, the Cowboys' season-saving three-game winning streak has lightened the pressure on Phillips -- for now. But it's still all about playoff success, or bust, in Dallas this season. Since the Cowboys are going to have to go the wild-card route -- if they go at all to the playoffs -- that makes it a very difficult road to ride. • Pink slip potential: 75 percent. 5. Herm Edwards, Kansas City -- That win at Oakland on Sunday was only Kansas City's second in its past 21 games, and there's not many coaches who could survive a 2-19 run in the NFL. But Edwards could be one of them, if -- and it's a big if -- Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson returns. I just don't know how owner Clark Hunt sells another season of Peterson and Edwards to the frustrated fans of Kansas City. • Pink slip potential: 55 percent. 6. Mike Singletary, San Francisco -- If the 49ers could split their last four games, after winning Sunday at Buffalo, that late-season momentum might be enough to turn the tide in favor of Singletary getting the interim tag removed from his title. It's a fluid situation, but after a shaky start, Singletary has a shot to survive. • Pink slip potential: 55 percent. 7. Norv Turner, San Diego -- I really don't believe that Chargers general manager Smith wants to fire Turner, who led San Diego to those two long-awaited playoff victories last January. But he might find himself feeling forced to make a move if the wheels continue to come off for the Chargers in the season's final month. As we said above, New England offensive coordinator McDaniels might be an intriguing option. • Pink slip potential: 50 percent. 8. Tom Cable, Oakland -- The Raiders could easily fire Cable, of course, but the question in Oakland is who does Davis get to take the job at that point? Cable could stick around, because Davis is said to see a bit of young John Madden in him, and he has had the Raiders playing hard in recent weeks. For Davis, that win at Denver alone is worth considering Cable for the full-time gig. • Pink slip potential: 50 percent. 9. Gary Kubiak, Houston -- Texans owner Bob McNair has always struck me as a reasonable and largely patient man, and that's probably going to work in Kubiak's favor regarding a fourth season in Houston. Also, don't underestimate the importance of the Texans' big home win over Jacksonville in their first-ever Monday Night Football game. An egg-laying in that one could have really doomed Kubiak. • Pink slip potential: 35 percent. 10. Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati -- If Lewis was coaching anywhere else, his team's 1-10-1 record this season would be a death sentence. But he's working for an owner in Mike Brown who holds his nose at the thought of paying off a coach to disappear. Brown, who still owes Lewis at least $8 million over the next two years, came out this week and praised Lewis for doing "an incredibly good job'' this season. • Pink slip potential: 30 percent. 11. Brad Childress, Minnesota -- The Vikings and Childress don't have any reason to get comfortable just yet, but they are 7-5 and in sole possession of first place in the NFC North. A 9-7 record and a division title is probably what it's going to take to make Childress entirely safe. The Vikings have to win at Detroit this week, then get one more W out of the tough final three weeks: At Arizona, then home against Atlanta and the Giants. Fortunately for Minnesota, the Cardinals and Giants will probably have already clinched. • Pink slip potential: 30 percent. 12. Andy Reid, Philadelphia -- It's not out of the question that a change is in the offing in Philly, but my gut tells me that that Eagles management will give Reid the benefit of the doubt in this, his third non-playoff season in four years. But with three games remaining in the rugged NFC East, the story could still take a downward spiral for the Eagles in December. • Pink slip potential: 25 percent.
Posts: 66,914

12-02-2008, 02:51 PM	#31
morphius World's finest morphius Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $6925027	This is the first year we have every really been under the cap, so I don't think that is valid.
Posts: 25,971

12-02-2008, 05:55 PM	#34
FloridaMan88 Mahomes: We Are All Witnesses Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Miami, FL Casino cash: $3142906	I would seriously be in eternal heaven if somehow Mike Leach and Mike Martz ended up with the Chiefs. However my realistic and choices remain Josh McDaniels as head coach, Scott Pioli as GM and Charlie Weis (if he's axed from Notre Dame) as offensive coordinator.
Posts: 38,259

12-02-2008, 06:00 PM	#37
BigChiefFan MVP Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: In the Top 10 Casino cash: $9924205	$3 million paid for shitcanning Edwards,would be an investment into the fans returning and buying tickets. Guaranteed, they make more by firing him, than they would by sticking with him. __________________ A 35 year drought can make you thirsty.
Posts: 15,777

12-02-2008, 07:46 PM	#41
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $2597050	Rebuilding is really no excuse for this stretch the Chiefs have had... The Chiefs will probably win no more than 3-5 games next year also, should Herm be retained again after that too cause rebuilding takes time?
Posts: 110,962