NFL COACHES ON THE HOTSEAT - Part 3

(Monday, December 19th) - Part 3

In Part I we talked about the firing of Steve Mariucci and the impending dismisals of Mike Mularkey, Norv Turner, and Dom Capers. In Detroit, things seem to have deteriorated behind 0-3 interim HC Dick Jauron. With Matt Millen looking less and less like he is going to survive, look for a new front office and coaching staff in the Motor City. The Bills are 0-3 since we last looked and Mike Mularkey was recently seen coming out of a Kinkos. The Raiders are close to overtaking Houston and San Francisco as the league's worst team. The Black and Silver have produced 7-10-10 points and 256, 179, and 291 total yard over the past three weeks. Norv is done. The Texans must have read my column as they've put together three pretty good efforts in a row, even winning handily against fellow doormat Arizona yesterday. Too little, too late to save Mr. Capers.

In Part II, we looked at the imminent dismisals of the Mike Martz, Brian Billick, and Mike Sherman regimes. In St Louis, the Rams have lost five of six, the win by an act of God where a rookie QB from Harvard threw for 290 yards in less than three quarters. Since then, the Lambs are 0-3 getting outscorred 38-71 and committing 11 turnovers. Ownership has been trying to buy out the final year of his deal all week. Brian Billick has somehow pulled things together splitting last two game with life and death home win over Houston and 12-10 loss at Denver. The Ravens have gone as far as they can go with this staff and even with Rick Nueheisel mentoring Kyle Boller, the offense has gone nowhere. After New Year's Day roadie at Cleveland, quoth the Billick nevermore. Two weeks ago, Sherman and Favre both appeared to be done but am abysmal win over Detroit and improbable home wins vs. Bears and Mike Holmgren and Seattle might leave everyone warm and fuzzy. Unless Brett goes another year, Sherman is done.

Which leaves us with three coaches that it is becoming harder and harder to figure out.

Dick Vermiel: Kansas City Chiefs

A month ago, all was good in Kansas City. The Chiefs were riding a four game win streak, the transition from Priest Holmes to Larry Johnson had gone without a hitch, and the defense was much improved, and Kansas City was talking playoffs. Bad road losses to Dallas and the Giants has KC the odd man out in the playoff chase with two tough games left to play.

A month ago, Vermiel probably would have returned even in the likely event that the Chiefs were knocked out early in the playoffs. The Chiefs would continue to improve the defense and pick up an impact wide receiver on offense. The Cowboy and Giant losses came by way of turnovers and lack of execution which might be more than Vermiel can take. A Super Bowl run has gone to missing the playoffs to possibly finishing 8-8. The Chiefs are NOT close to a championship. I'd say that Vermiel is 50/50 to be back.

Joe Gibbs: Washington Redskins

Gibbs, like Vermiel, has the luxury of making the deciion himself as to whether to return or not.
Three weeks ago, after losing three of four, it seemed a cinch that Gibbs would hang it up and return to Nascar. Wins over the Rams and Cardinals plus yesterday's destruction of the Cowboys may have given Gibbs new hope and life.

Skins have a tough go but control their own destiny. A Skin split in final two games vs. Giants (who waxed them 36-0 5 weeks ago) and at Philly plus loss by Dallas, Minnesota, or Atlanta will give the Skins a wildcard. With huge cap players like LaVar Arrington not likely to be back, Skins will have room to maneuver in the off-season for the first time in a long time. The Skins future is in good shape and Gibbs will probably hang around.

Jim Haslett: New Orleans Saints

This guy has nine lives and will probably survive another horrendous season this year. Here's why!

How can you fire the guy considering everything the Saints have had to go thru this season as a result of Hurricame Katrina. As bad as Saints are, they've played hard despite countless injuries, uncertaun training and practice facilites, no home field and unthinkebale travel.

WHO DO THEY GET TO COACH ??? This is not a good job and there is no way the Saints will be able to get a marquee name that would make any kind of a difference. The Saints have some talent, get Deuce McAllister back, and will have a top five draft pick. Haslett has one year left on his deal and is basically a good guy. He also has more career wins than any coach in Saint history other than Jim Mora. Benson would do best to just ride this out another year and make his moves when the franchise's future is more clearly defined. Haslett stays.

Next week I'll conclude the series with anybody who looks like they might be on the bubble (Denny Green) plus an unforgetable Mike Tice edition. Don't miss it.

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3

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