Well at the end of another NFL season, it’s officially become the firing period for Head Coaches…and it didn’t take too long for the first head to roll. Well for the 20 NFL teams that didn’t make the playoffs there is plenty of blame to go around. Usually the biggest change a team can make is to its coaching staff, as they are ultimately responsible for poor team play. In the grand tradition of the Washington Redskins, owner Daniel Snider has decided to fire another Head Coach today, as Jim Zorn was relieved of his duties. Was this a big shock to the sports world? No, Zorn has been on the chopping block for a while with Snyder’s open flirtation with former Super Bowl winning coaches Mike Shanahan and Bill Cowher. Zorn went 12-20 over two seasons and lost 18 of his last 24 games after a 6-2 start in 2008. What Snider needs to do is use his money to sign anyone to play offensive line, upgrade his RB/WR positions and draft a QB to groom.

Let’s take a look at who else is on the Coaching Death Watch:

Lovie Smith, Chicago Bears: I really don’t think Lovie will be fired this season; he still has 2 years and $11 million left on his contract. I do expect to see OC Ron Turner to be jettisoned for a stale, boring offense that failed to utilize QB Jay Cutler to his talent level. Granted the Offensive Line problems and the regression of Matt Forte didn’t help, but someone will have to pay for missing the playoffs again.
Prediction: One more year for Lovie, I’m not sure I like it, but I don’t write the checks.

Eric Mangini, Cleveland Browns: Talk about a reversal of fortune here, the Brownies won four games in a row and they might have found a RB in Jerome Harrison but will it be enough to keep his job? Cleveland just hired Mike Holmgren as President of Football Operations and it will be interesting to see if the two can co-exist. That is a lot of Ego in that War Room.
Prediction: He will keep his job as the Browns don’t want to overpay for a new coach when they just paid for Holmgren, but he will be on a really short leash.

Jack Del Rio, Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jags won seven games and were in contention for the play-offs (at least in spirit) but the bottom line is that they ended up with another losing season. Did the team play up to its potential? The offense needs help in a big way with only Maurice Jones Drew as a highlight.
Prediction: My guess is that he gets another chance but if the team loses a few games early next year he will be fired quickly.

Perry Fewell, Buffalo Bills: He served on an interim basis after HC Dick Jauron was fired during the season, so a new coach is certain. Team played better but still not good enough.
Prediction: Fewell will probably be offered a Defensive Coordinator position for another team, as he was let go by the Bills today.

Long Shots but worth noting:

Jim Mora, Seattle Seahawks: Unless they can sign Shanahan, Cowher or Gruden, I think he is safe this year. The fans are getting restless with a team that is ragged on both offense and defense and not showing much resolve.

John Fox, Carolina Panthers: Missing the playoffs again, this time due to a team ravaged with injury, might have bought Fox another year. Don’t be surprised if they start the covert interviewing process now to check out their options. Sticking with QB Delhome might have been his undoing.

Tom Coughlin, NY Giants: Surprise, he makes this list because his team gave up this year. After winning the Super Bowl just two years ago this team has taken a fall. He will make it through but they have started the firing with new Defensive Coordinator Bill Sheridan, and will Coughlin be around much longer?

- Jeff Powers

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