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Yes, yes, it's much too early for this list. We aren't really even in camp yet, how can any coach be on the hot seat? Well, actually, some of 'em are. And it really isn't their fault. You see, this is an unusual year. It isn't so much the coaches that are in their jobs, it's who is waiting in the wings. Mike Shanahan, Mike Holmgren, Bill Cowher, and Jon Gruden have all won Super bowls. All 4 of 'em are total coaching free agents. Each have different situations, but all of 'em are football freaks and still able to help organizations. And one or two of 'em will probably be coaching in '10. I can't remember 4 more qualified coaches waiting in the wings and it's a factor in the continued employment of the following NFL coaches.
1. Wade Phillips Dallas Cowboys. I thought "Easy Wader" would be fired at the conclusion of last season. Instead, JJ ran off TO, after his son and Garrett convinced "Jerruh" that Owens was the cancer that needed surgery. Many NFL observers think Wade's gone next season no matter what. It may take a SB appearance to keep Wade in big D.
2.Dick Jauron Buffalo Bills. Buffalo made some big off-season moves. By going "all-in", the Bills warmed up the old hot seat for Jauron. Buffalo could have almost any kind of record based on a defense and an offense that both need to gel if they are to perform at a high level. Expectations are high and Buffalo will need to have a play-off appearance or a very solid run to keep Jauron the Bills coach.
3. Brad Childress Minny Soda ViQueens Seems like he's been listed in every hot seat article in the last 3 years. The ViQueens won three of their final four games to slide into the playoffs atop the NFC North last season, but that was the bare minimum for Childress to keep his job, and he didn't accomplish much once in the playoffs. So, if the Vikings go back to the way they have played under Childress in 2006 and 2007, underachieving with a top level defense, old Baldy is out.
4 . Norv Turner SD Norv was headed out of SD last season, too. Most of the coaches with high pre-season expectations got canned last year except for Phillips at Dallas. The late season rally that got the Chargers in the play-offs saved Turner's job. Norv's on his third team and none of 'em have gotten deep in the post-season. If they fired 'ol Marty after a great season and a first round out, shouldn't they be as quick to can Turner?
5. Josh McDaniels Broncos. I hate Denver and have been happy all off-season. McDaniels has shot his mouth off pretty hard and started a goofy power struggle with his QB for strange reasons, most if which add up to inexperience. McDaniels has the potential to be the worst first year coach since Les Steckel (AKA Less Steckel). McDaniels hasn't coached a game yet, but he's put himself in a position where he has to live up to high expectations in order to keep his job. The Broncos aren't looking for a chance to rebuild, and McDaniels will not be graded on the quality of his defense in his first year. Does Pat Bowlen trust McDaniels and will he give him plenty of time to get the Broncos back into the playoffs? I really don't like this kid and am rooting for him to bomb badly in his first season at the Bronco helm and earn a pink slip
The "very warm seat"
These guys are on less shaky ground, but could also have problems
-Sean Payton Saints
He was God in his first season, but the glow has worn off. He could be gone with another average campaign. Payton's offensive concepts were cutting edge 3 season's ago, but they've become pretty static. Their additions on D look promising, but so far there has been little to show for it. Another lackluster season could well result in a change in the Big Easy".
-John Fox, Carolina
The presence of Bill Cowher is a big factor in this listing. Cowher has settled in NC and likes the area. Fox has been around for seven seasons, and last year, he rebounded to lead the Panthers to 12 wins and the NFC South title. But Fox is a mainstay on these hot seat lists because of failures such as last year's NFC Divisional Round debacle against Arizona. The allure of the 2003 season is now gone. Fox could be in-line for a contract extension if his team has another 10+ win regular season, but if they drop to 3rd or 4th in the NFC South, he could get the boot.
- Jack Del Rio, Jacksonville
Del Rio has lasted an impressively long tenure in Jacksonville, as he begins his 7th year as coach of the Jags, one of only two coaches to roam the sideline in the franchises history (Tom Coughlin -- 8 seasons). But recent inconsistencies--following up playoff years in 2005 and 2007 with non-winning seasons in 2006 and 2008--mean that Del Rio is only as safe as his next season suggests. I don't think it's playoffs or bust for Del Rio, but if he wants to match Coughlin's length of tenure, he best have his team in the hunt in December.
- Jim Zorn, Washington
Jim Zorn is a second year head coach, but has been handed a ready-to-win team that figures to be much better than last year's 8-8 team. By no means is the Redskins roster without flaw, , but the expectations in the beltway mean that Zorn has to oversee a team that improves over last years first promising, but ultimately disappointing effort. Owner Dan Snyder has a itchy trigger finger and may use it on Zorn.
- Lovie Smith, Duh Chicaga Barz Lotta pressure on Smith. Coach Lovie is going to get all the heat if/when the team does not win with Jay Cutler. When your G.M. gets a top ten NFL QB gift-wrapped in a trade to you, losses against other teams in the division will likely not be tolerated. If the Bears struggle against Green Bay, Minnesota, and Detroit this year, I think Smith could take the fall. Otherwise, he should get at least one more year to try to get back to the playoffs.
- Mike McCarthy, Green Bay
If Smith's on here, fairness requires one to postulate, what if the Pack goes 6-10 again? Would the GM have to pull the trigger to save his job? Maybe.
- Andy Reid, Philadelphia
Andy Reid is still in a great situation for a coach to be in. However, do understand that both of the last two Eagles' playoff teams have wound up in last place the following season. That is not a pattern that will be tolerated for a third time. For Reid, it might be a playoffs or bust year. This also marks his 11th season with the team. Maybe he's out-stayed his welcome. It might take a bad year, but an iffy QB and an older D might yield a bad year and a early retirement for big Andy.
1. Wade Phillips Dallas Cowboys. I thought "Easy Wader" would be fired at the conclusion of last season. Instead, JJ ran off TO, after his son and Garrett convinced "Jerruh" that Owens was the cancer that needed surgery. Many NFL observers think Wade's gone next season no matter what. It may take a SB appearance to keep Wade in big D.
2.Dick Jauron Buffalo Bills. Buffalo made some big off-season moves. By going "all-in", the Bills warmed up the old hot seat for Jauron. Buffalo could have almost any kind of record based on a defense and an offense that both need to gel if they are to perform at a high level. Expectations are high and Buffalo will need to have a play-off appearance or a very solid run to keep Jauron the Bills coach.
3. Brad Childress Minny Soda ViQueens Seems like he's been listed in every hot seat article in the last 3 years. The ViQueens won three of their final four games to slide into the playoffs atop the NFC North last season, but that was the bare minimum for Childress to keep his job, and he didn't accomplish much once in the playoffs. So, if the Vikings go back to the way they have played under Childress in 2006 and 2007, underachieving with a top level defense, old Baldy is out.
4 . Norv Turner SD Norv was headed out of SD last season, too. Most of the coaches with high pre-season expectations got canned last year except for Phillips at Dallas. The late season rally that got the Chargers in the play-offs saved Turner's job. Norv's on his third team and none of 'em have gotten deep in the post-season. If they fired 'ol Marty after a great season and a first round out, shouldn't they be as quick to can Turner?
5. Josh McDaniels Broncos. I hate Denver and have been happy all off-season. McDaniels has shot his mouth off pretty hard and started a goofy power struggle with his QB for strange reasons, most if which add up to inexperience. McDaniels has the potential to be the worst first year coach since Les Steckel (AKA Less Steckel). McDaniels hasn't coached a game yet, but he's put himself in a position where he has to live up to high expectations in order to keep his job. The Broncos aren't looking for a chance to rebuild, and McDaniels will not be graded on the quality of his defense in his first year. Does Pat Bowlen trust McDaniels and will he give him plenty of time to get the Broncos back into the playoffs? I really don't like this kid and am rooting for him to bomb badly in his first season at the Bronco helm and earn a pink slip
The "very warm seat"
These guys are on less shaky ground, but could also have problems
-Sean Payton Saints
He was God in his first season, but the glow has worn off. He could be gone with another average campaign. Payton's offensive concepts were cutting edge 3 season's ago, but they've become pretty static. Their additions on D look promising, but so far there has been little to show for it. Another lackluster season could well result in a change in the Big Easy".
-John Fox, Carolina
The presence of Bill Cowher is a big factor in this listing. Cowher has settled in NC and likes the area. Fox has been around for seven seasons, and last year, he rebounded to lead the Panthers to 12 wins and the NFC South title. But Fox is a mainstay on these hot seat lists because of failures such as last year's NFC Divisional Round debacle against Arizona. The allure of the 2003 season is now gone. Fox could be in-line for a contract extension if his team has another 10+ win regular season, but if they drop to 3rd or 4th in the NFC South, he could get the boot.
- Jack Del Rio, Jacksonville
Del Rio has lasted an impressively long tenure in Jacksonville, as he begins his 7th year as coach of the Jags, one of only two coaches to roam the sideline in the franchises history (Tom Coughlin -- 8 seasons). But recent inconsistencies--following up playoff years in 2005 and 2007 with non-winning seasons in 2006 and 2008--mean that Del Rio is only as safe as his next season suggests. I don't think it's playoffs or bust for Del Rio, but if he wants to match Coughlin's length of tenure, he best have his team in the hunt in December.
- Jim Zorn, Washington
Jim Zorn is a second year head coach, but has been handed a ready-to-win team that figures to be much better than last year's 8-8 team. By no means is the Redskins roster without flaw, , but the expectations in the beltway mean that Zorn has to oversee a team that improves over last years first promising, but ultimately disappointing effort. Owner Dan Snyder has a itchy trigger finger and may use it on Zorn.
- Lovie Smith, Duh Chicaga Barz Lotta pressure on Smith. Coach Lovie is going to get all the heat if/when the team does not win with Jay Cutler. When your G.M. gets a top ten NFL QB gift-wrapped in a trade to you, losses against other teams in the division will likely not be tolerated. If the Bears struggle against Green Bay, Minnesota, and Detroit this year, I think Smith could take the fall. Otherwise, he should get at least one more year to try to get back to the playoffs.
- Mike McCarthy, Green Bay
If Smith's on here, fairness requires one to postulate, what if the Pack goes 6-10 again? Would the GM have to pull the trigger to save his job? Maybe.
- Andy Reid, Philadelphia
Andy Reid is still in a great situation for a coach to be in. However, do understand that both of the last two Eagles' playoff teams have wound up in last place the following season. That is not a pattern that will be tolerated for a third time. For Reid, it might be a playoffs or bust year. This also marks his 11th season with the team. Maybe he's out-stayed his welcome. It might take a bad year, but an iffy QB and an older D might yield a bad year and a early retirement for big Andy.
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