Halfway through the season, it's time to look at who might be in trouble or on the bubble in the head coaching ranks:
--Scott Linahan, St. Louis Rams: The Rams have simply been pathetic. Yes, they have suffered injuries at almost every key position offensively but Linahan appears to have lost the lockerroom at this point. The team has seemingly quit on their coach and that always is the signal of the end. The question really isn't if but when is Linahan gone and can he make it through the season before getting axed.
--First year coaches Cam Cameron (Miami), Bobby Petrino (Atlanta) and Norv Turner (San Diego) have all had very rough starts to the season. Of these Cameron appears to be in the most trouble. Owner Wayne Huizenga is not known for his patience and have no doubt, he won't hesitate to cut the first year coach off after one year if the Dolphins continue to spiral. Turner's Chargers have played much better as of late and he might save his job, although firing him after one season would be an admission of a huge mistake by San Diego and I think GM A.J. Smith would rather get run over by a truck than admit that. Petrino was hired with the thought that he was going to have Michael Vick running the offense. So much so that the Falcons traded Matt Schaub to Houston. Now the Falcons are stuck with a cast of QBs that Vince Lombardi couldn't win with, so Petrino should get a pass on this season.
--Marvin Lewis, Cincinnati Bengals: Has Marv wore out his welcome in Cincy? The team's struggles this year have highlighted the fact that although Lewis has brought the Bengals some sense of respect throughout the league, they haven't yet been able to get over that hump. Add to that the plethora of off-field incidents that have plagued the Bengals and it may be time for Lewis to move on to new challenges.
A couple of other notes worth mentioning:
--There has been talk in Seattle that this could be Mike Holmgren's last year as head coach of the Seahawks. The window is closing on Seattle's chances of getting to the Super Bowl and aging stars Shaun Alexander, Matt Hasselbeck have had very spotty performances this year to say the least.
--John Fox is looking over his shoulder in Carolina right now. The latest round of QB woes and ineffective offensive play has people talking about a change. Bill Cowher bought a house in Carolina last year and moved to be close to his daughter who is attending college there. Seems like a perfect fit to me.
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4 comments:
Hey Philman...good reading. But I think the Cincinnati job is safe, if the radio station out of Cincy we picked up Sunday night is any indication. Says he has another 4 years on a contract. I think they just need to clean house of the bad influences and they'll be fine. I think Fox is fine too, he always seems to find ways to win. They just need a quarterback who won't get hurt.
Lewis was 8-8 in his first two seasons, then went 11-5, losing in the Wild Card round. Last season another 8-8 season and this year they are presently at 2-5, not exactly ringing endorsements. Lewis has done a job bringing this franchise some respectablility but I think his time has come. After 4 1/2 seasons they are a .500 club with one playoff loss. The fact that he has 4 yrs. left on his contract shouldn't be a consideration.
You might be right about Fox, but after an 8-8 season last year, if the Panthers have a second half meltdown, owner Jerry Richardson is going to be looking very hard at Cowher.
Well hate to say it but I think Linehan will be there through the year. The bad thing is.....if they stsrt winning say 3 to 4 of their remaining games then they may have second thoughts about canning him.
I would do it anyways. No doubt in my mind.
Now the Cincy job....
Something is wrong there. Too many things going on and at some point you have to look at the Coach and ask yourself if he really has control of the team. At this point I dont think he does.
I think a change needs to be done there just to have a change and to point that team in the right direction. They do have some talent.
If Bill Cower wants to come back next season, John Fox is gone. If the Rams play like they did on Sunday and finish the season strong, Linahan may save his job. Brian Billik in Baltimore looks to be next on the chopping block.
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