MISSING
Mike Martz St. Louis: Martz is already talking like he’s done with the Rams. After it was announced that Martz was out for the remainder of the 2005 season due to his heart problems, he wasted no time in criticizing the current hierarchy. His comments have angered team president John Shaw, and it’s obvious Martz doesn’t really care who he upsets.
Mike Tice Minnesota: Many wanted him gone each of the last two years, beating the Packers in Green Bay may have saved him for a moment, but his ticket scalping scandal put him back on the edge of the table. Being the lowest-paid coach in the NFL doesn’t help his “lack of authority” either. Getting kicked out of Minnesota may be the best thing that ever happened to you.
Dom Capers Houston: While the talent simply isn’t there to win, QB David Carr and the rest of the younger players have regressed and the management of this “expansion” team knows what’s going on with you as they tag you like a laughing stock if you keep losing. for a long time. The team is horrible on both sides of the ball, and after firing the offensive coordinator early in the season, Capers was clear.
IT’S PROBABLY GONE
Mike Sherman Green Bay: This is the same organization (different GM, I know) that managed Ray Rhodes out of Green Bay in 1999 after an 8-8 season. Many have said that if he survives it may be because of Brett Favre, but I doubt that the QB will decide to retire because if Sherman is not there. None of Favre’s recent setbacks have stripped him of his uniform. The best trainer on staff is actually DC Jim Bates, though they’ll likely be looking for a bigger name. To be fair, the team has been ravaged by injuries, but past failures do bite Sherm, you know where.
Jim Haslett New Orleans: This team has been struggling against the odds all year and I give them credit for not going under (yet), but Haslett should have been gone at least a year ago. That 4-0 finish in late 2004 saved him, even though the first 12 games were ugly. The only way he survives is if Benson is too busy trying to move the team, that he doesn’t want to mess around with a coaching change.
Norv Turner Oakland: Suffers from Dave Wannstedt syndrome, great coordinator, bad coach. He didn’t impress me in Washington, he didn’t impress me now in Oakland. Al Davis isn’t a patient man either, even though his offseason moves are often woeful. He somehow thinks that every year they’re a Super Bowl contender for the Raiders, he’s too bad the fans can’t fire him.
50-50 LUCK
Brian Billick Baltimore: It’s very likely that this team will fall apart and take a different approach that Billick isn’t or doesn’t want to be a part of. He still gets a lot of respect because he brought a Super Bowl to Baltimore, but this offense has NEVER been good, both because of personnel and a lack of developing players. Offensive genius in Minnesota?? “Throw the ball deep to Randy!!” Doesn’t make you a genius, sorry.
Herm Edwards NY Jets: Another coach, like Sherman, whose team has been ravaged by injuries, and one from a bigger stage (NY). But he’s made plenty of mistakes in games, from running backs “throwing” interceptions to mishandling the clock. Much better at press conferences than as a football match manager. I’ll give him credit for being a good motivator, but so were Ditka and Glanville.
The rest: Steve Mariucci: I’m not going anywhere this year, it’s all Joey’s fault, remember. You won’t have to blame him if things don’t go well in 2006.
Jeff Fisher: I thought I was a horrible coach ten years ago when it was all about the D. Take an early 7-0 lead, try to sit on the ball for 55 minutes. But he started to let the OC show some imagination and feel that now he is the best in managing a game. It is his decision if he wants to look for other opportunities.
Dick Vermeil: Classiest coach in the NFL, probably any sport. He’s probably ready to retire, but I’d love to see him make a good playoff run before I hang him up.