NFL WEEKLY PREDICTIONS

In the world of: "What have you done for me lately?", being a coach in professional sports offers very little in terms of job security. With every game being so meaningful, this is especially true in pro football. Back in the spring, well before the beginning of preseason, I compiled a list of NFL coaches which I felt would be under the greatest pressure this season. I placed the coaches that I thought had the greatest chance of losing their jobs at the top. With Week 6 now in the books, I thought I'd take the time to revise that list. For interest's sake, I included my earlier predictions.

Coaches most likely to be fired or to resign

1. Mike Tice - At 1-4, the Vikings are probably the biggest under-achievers in the league. The recent 'sex scandal' certainly doesn't help matters.

2. Dom Capers - Coming off an ugly loss to the Seahawks, which saw them allow 320 rushing yards and commit 13 penalties, the Texans remain winless.

3. Norv Turner - The Raiders have talent. However, they are coming off another loss and are now 1-4. You can bet that Al Davis is losing patience quickly.

4. Mike Martz - Could health problems force Martz to retire before he 'gets the axe'?

5. Herman Edwards - Its not his fault that Pennington got hurt. That may not matter if the Jets (2-4) finish in the AFC East basement.

6. Mike Sherman - Sherman received a contract extension prior to the season. Even that may not save him if the Packers (1-4) don't turn things around.

7. Dennis Green - Arizona was expected to be a contender this year. Nope. Same old Cardinals!

8. Jim Haslett - Hurricane Katrina may have bought Haslett a little time. However, if the Saints (2-4) don't turn things around, Haslett is unlikely to be back in 2006.

Note that two of the coaches on the above list, Mike Tice and Mike Sherman, will face each other this week when the Packers travel to Minnesota. Last Tuesday, Vikings Owner Zygi Wolf gave his head coach a 'vote of confidence'. "I'm backing our coach 100 percent," Wilf said. "I'm going to do whatever is necessary to give him whatever help he needs to improve our team. I don't know if he's always gotten that. He's our coach for this season, as we have said many times before. So that's the situation, and my message is: 'Let's go try to win our division.' " That message was delivered prior to the Vikings getting crushed by the Bears. Despite Wilf's words, another loss to a division rival this week could prove fatal for Tice!

What I Said Back in April

1. Norv Turner - Turner is skating on thin ice if the Raiders don't improve significantly in his second year.

2. Jim Haslett - Strong finish saved his job in 2004. A slow start to 2005 would likely prove fatal.

3. Mike Martz - Reckless use of time-outs and questionable play-calling are the norm under Martz.

4. Herman Edwards - Clock (mis)management skills have left Edwards perpetually under fire.

5. Mike Tice - Ticket scalping issue will loom larger and larger if the Vikings stumble.

6. Mike Holmgren - Seahawks fans are hungry for playoff success. Their patience won't last forever.

7. Dick Vermeil - Last year's team greatly underachieved. Crying isn't acceptable when losing.

8. Dom Capers - It's Year four of a 5-Year plan. The Texans must compete for the playoffs.