Head coaches on the hot seat
By ASHTON GREWAL
Training camps are opening across the country and already there are some coaches who are taking a double dose of Pepto-Bismol.
You see, some NFL sideline bosses know that a poor showing in 2009 means that they’ll become one of the many Americans looking for a new job.
While preseason wins don’t win Super Bowls, they can lower the under-the-collar temperature. With that in mind, here’s a look at five men to watch closely this August.
Dick Jauron, Buffalo Bills
Things turned quickly for Jauron. Last October the Bills were first in the AFC East with a 5-1 record and Jauron was close to signing a three-year extension. Two months later Buffalo was 6-7 and the franchise’s owner Ralph Wilson was telling reporters he’s not sure if Jauron will be back for the 2009 season.
The Bills did bring Jauron back and they also acquired for every coach’s nightmare – Terrell Owens.
Vegas has the Bills’ season win total listed at 7.5, but I see a 6 or 7-win season in the cards for Buffalo. The club plays Tennessee in the Hall of Fame game a week from Sunday. Offshore books are giving the Bills three points in the preseason opener.
Lovie Smith, Chicago Bears
It’s been three years since the Bears lost to the Colts in Super Bowl XLI. Chicago has not qualified for the postseason since and if they don’t make it again this time, the axe will fall on Lovie.
Smith didn’t absorb as much of the blame for the past two seasons because of the instability at the QB position, but he won’t have that same shield with Jay Cutler under center.
The Bears still don’t have much for offensive weaponry outside Cutler and second year running back Matt Forte. And don’t forget this defense isn’t nearly as good as most people think. The unit is old and not nearly as fast as it was three years ago.
Oddsmakers pegged Chicago’s season win total at 9, which may be an overreaction to Cutler’s arrival. Chicago plays its first preseason game on August 15 against the Bills.
Wade Phillips, Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys coach would like you to think he’s changed his ways. He says he’s going to be tougher on his club this season and depart from his easy-going nature.
Of course Phillips wouldn’t have to morph into a hard ass if it wasn’t for Dallas’ under achievements over the last two campaigns.
Owner Jerry Jones tells reporters that Phillips is the right man to right the ship, but that doesn’t mean he believes it.
Expectations are high in Dallas, as they always are, and if the Cowboys don’t make it to a least the NFC Championship game, you can bet the farm Phillips won’t be back in 2010.
The Boys’ season win total is set at 9.5 and they are 1-point favorites in their exhibition contest against the Oakland Raiders on August 13.
Brad Childress, Minnesota Vikings
The one thing holding the Vikings back from competing for the Vince Lombardi trophy is the club’s inability to put points on the board. Childress’ specialty is offense, so the club’s shortcomings have to fall on the former Eagle offensive coordinator’s shoulders.
It doesn’t help either that Childress opened up a can of worms in his pursuit of Brett Favre.
I’m not sold on the Vikings, but I think they should be a good bet this preseason. Childress knows this will be his make or break year in Minny and the open quarterback competition between Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels should boost the offensive production in August.
Childress’ club is getting 2 points at Indy on August 14.
Gary Kubiak, Houston Texans
There’s no question the Texans have improved under the former Bronco offensive coordinator. Houston finished 2-14 the year before Kubiak arrived and improved to 8-8 two years later.
But we live in an impatient world and last season’s repeat .500 season wasn’t enough to impress Texans owner Bob McNair.
“I’ll be disappointed if we don’t make the playoffs,” he told the Houston Chronicle following April draft.
He went on to say about a playoff guarantee, “I don’t make predictions, but I fully expect us to do it.”
Here’s a prediction: If Houston doesn’t reach 9 wins (its over/under is set at 8.5), Kubiak will be joining Mike Shannahan’s staff in 2010.