Top 5 List: Coaches on the hot seat
1- Mike Martz: Offensive genius in the minds of some, bungling fool in the eyes of others. I would be amazed if Martz still hangs onto the St. Louis Rams job if this team doesn’t show marked improvement on defense and at least wins the NFC West title and one playoff game. The way their season ended at the hands of Atlanta was embarrassing. Their special teams play in that game was a joke. And please Mike, stop using up all your timeouts in the first and third quarters!!!
2-Jim Haslett: The New Orleans Saints coach has dodged the pink slip bullet the last couple of seasons. Much like Martz Rams, the Saints play on defense leaves much to be desired (though they came on strong late last year). Its also hard to gauge which Aaron Brooks will show up to play from one Sunday to the next. He has great numbers, but always seems to make ill-advised decisions at key moments in the game. Haslett hopes the team’s fine performance at the end of 2004 carries over into this season. I wouldn’t count on it.
3- Mike Holmgren: How much longer can the Seattle Seahawks coach’s past success in Green Bay keep him in good graces with fans and management? Granted, in Holmgren's first few seasons at the helm, Seattle didn’t have a lot of talent, Matt Hasslebeck was still raw, Shaun Alexander hadn’t yet become a dominant NFL back, and it took some time to build the defense to respectability. It would be an excellent time for Seahawks management to come to terms with Alexander on a long term deal. He is the key to Holmgren’s future here, and if he’s unhappy, big Mike’s days in Seattle could be numbered.
4- Jeff Fisher: The way I see it, this isn’t as much of a hot seat situation as it is a guy who may be looking to move on. Fisher has been with the Tennessee Titans since 95, when they were the Houston Oilers. He’s led them to the AFC Playoffs a handful of times, and nearly a Super Bowl title in 99’. Fisher is one of the best in-game coaches in the NFL, in my opinion. Nevertheless, the Titans are in full rebuilding mode after releasing multiple key players from last year’s squad. Former MVP Steve McNair's injuries have finally caught up to him, which may force him into retirement, and despite a solid performance last year, I seriously doubt that backup Billy Volek is the long term answer to lead the huddle.
5- Mike Shanahan: The Denver Broncos haven’t won a playoff game since John Elway retired. That’s six years for those of you scoring at home. I really have to question some of the personnel moves this team has made the past couple seasons. They’ve retooled the defensive line with all former Cleveland Browns. By the way, the Browns were one of the worst teams in football in 04’, so this could hardly be considered an upgrade. The Broncos have been trounced by the Indianapolis Colts the last two postseasons and they must make some noise in January to give Broncos ownership reason to retain Shanahan. This looks like a 7-9 or 8-8 team to me in 05.
By John Onan (ego74)
Jul 12, 2005
© Copyright 2004-2005 www.realfootball365.com
1- Mike Martz: Offensive genius in the minds of some, bungling fool in the eyes of others. I would be amazed if Martz still hangs onto the St. Louis Rams job if this team doesn’t show marked improvement on defense and at least wins the NFC West title and one playoff game. The way their season ended at the hands of Atlanta was embarrassing. Their special teams play in that game was a joke. And please Mike, stop using up all your timeouts in the first and third quarters!!!
2-Jim Haslett: The New Orleans Saints coach has dodged the pink slip bullet the last couple of seasons. Much like Martz Rams, the Saints play on defense leaves much to be desired (though they came on strong late last year). Its also hard to gauge which Aaron Brooks will show up to play from one Sunday to the next. He has great numbers, but always seems to make ill-advised decisions at key moments in the game. Haslett hopes the team’s fine performance at the end of 2004 carries over into this season. I wouldn’t count on it.
3- Mike Holmgren: How much longer can the Seattle Seahawks coach’s past success in Green Bay keep him in good graces with fans and management? Granted, in Holmgren's first few seasons at the helm, Seattle didn’t have a lot of talent, Matt Hasslebeck was still raw, Shaun Alexander hadn’t yet become a dominant NFL back, and it took some time to build the defense to respectability. It would be an excellent time for Seahawks management to come to terms with Alexander on a long term deal. He is the key to Holmgren’s future here, and if he’s unhappy, big Mike’s days in Seattle could be numbered.
4- Jeff Fisher: The way I see it, this isn’t as much of a hot seat situation as it is a guy who may be looking to move on. Fisher has been with the Tennessee Titans since 95, when they were the Houston Oilers. He’s led them to the AFC Playoffs a handful of times, and nearly a Super Bowl title in 99’. Fisher is one of the best in-game coaches in the NFL, in my opinion. Nevertheless, the Titans are in full rebuilding mode after releasing multiple key players from last year’s squad. Former MVP Steve McNair's injuries have finally caught up to him, which may force him into retirement, and despite a solid performance last year, I seriously doubt that backup Billy Volek is the long term answer to lead the huddle.
5- Mike Shanahan: The Denver Broncos haven’t won a playoff game since John Elway retired. That’s six years for those of you scoring at home. I really have to question some of the personnel moves this team has made the past couple seasons. They’ve retooled the defensive line with all former Cleveland Browns. By the way, the Browns were one of the worst teams in football in 04’, so this could hardly be considered an upgrade. The Broncos have been trounced by the Indianapolis Colts the last two postseasons and they must make some noise in January to give Broncos ownership reason to retain Shanahan. This looks like a 7-9 or 8-8 team to me in 05.
By John Onan (ego74)
Jul 12, 2005
© Copyright 2004-2005 www.realfootball365.com
