NFL Report: Change inevitable for Eagles, Chargers

COACHING CAROUSEL ABOUT TO CRANK UP

BY STEVE DeSHAZO

’Tis the season to speculate about the NFL coaching carousel. And, as usual, there’s plenty of fodder.

There may not be as many changes as in 2008, when 10 teams hired new leaders, but there will be plenty of action.

There are three categories of hot-seat coaches: Dead Man Walking, Tightrope Walker and Out of Left Field. A prime example of the final group is Jon Gruden, who was fired by Tampa Bay in 2008 after consecutive 9–7 seasons and has been on the short list of potential hires ever since then (despite his professed allegiance to ESPN).

Don’t be fooled by Sunday’s streak-busting victories by the Eagles and Chargers. Long-tenured coaches Andy Reid and Norv Turner are simply waiting for the axe to fall—although they should be credited with keeping their respective teams motivated enough to stay competitive.

The same can’t be said for Ken Whisenhunt, whose Arizona Cardinals have dropped nine straight after a 4–0 start. None was nearly as humiliating as Sunday’s 58–0 beatdown in Seattle, a game that led the father of star receiver Larry Fitzgerald to claim that the Cardinals “quit.”

Although the son rebutted his father’s words Monday, it’s hard to argue—and even harder to imagine Whisenhunt returning for a seventh season in the desert.

Another likely goner is the Chiefs’ Romeo Crennel. Jacksonville’s Mike Mularkey has been on the job for only a year, but his team (like Crennel’s) is 2–11, and the Jaguars have a new owner (Shahid Khan) who could want to clean house and pick his own staff.

A similar situation could unfold in Cleveland, where new owner Jimmy Haslam already has seen club president Mike Holmgren resign. After an 0–5 start, second-year coach Mike Shurmur was thought to be a lame duck—until his young team won three straight to improve to 5–8 entering Sunday’s game with Washington.

It’s Haslam’s prerogative to hire whomever he wants, but ignoring a late-season surge can force a team to start over and set it back for years. (Just ask Dan Snyder about Marty Schottenheimer in 2000.)

Another team working to save its coach’s hide is Carolina. Ron Rivera’s seat got a little less hot after Sunday’s 30–20 upset of division leader Atlanta. And after a horrible start, Cam Newton has accounted for 15 touchdowns and just two turnovers in his past five games. A continuation of that trend could buy Rivera a third season.

Coaches on notice include Buffalo’s Chan Gailey and Chicago’s Lovey Smith, whose Bears are in danger of another late-season fade after a 7–1 start. First-year coaches Joe Philbin (Miami) and Dennis Allen (Oakland) are probably safe for at least one more year despite disappointing records.

Finally, two high-profile coaches’ jobs could hinge on how their teams finish.

The Jets’ Rex Ryan has tried to tone down his bluster, but a second straight season without a playoff bid—and the team’s quarterback drama—could cost him.

Likewise, Jason Garrett’s tenure in Dallas may require a postseason berth—a task that will be more difficult if star receiver Dez Bryant’s season is over.

Exiled Saints coach Sean Payton is likely to be the most sought-after candidate for any opening, along with University of Oregon coach Chip Kelly. Both would likely be appealing to Cowboys owner Jerry Jones or the Jets’ Woody Johnson.

Reid won’t be unemployed for long if the Eagles fire him, and Turner will be someone’s offensive coordinator in 2013.

The usual suspects (Gruden, Bill Cowher, Holmgren) will get lots of calls, as will hot coordinators like Greg Roman (49ers), Mike McCoy (Broncos) and Winston Moss (Packers).

And a team could do a lot worse than hiring Bruce Arians, who took over the Colts when coach Chuck Pagano was hospitalized with leukemia and has a team that went 2–14 in 2011 on the brink of the playoffs.

UPSET PICK

The Pick (2–11) hasn’t quit despite its lack of success and will go with the Jaguars (7-point road underdogs) to blow any chance at the No. 1 pick with a win at Miami.

Steve DeShazo: 540/374-5443

sdeshazo@freelancestar.com

COUNTING DOWN

1. Patriots (10–3)

Made a statement Monday.

2. Broncos (10–3)

Aim to finish more drives.

3. 49ers (9–3–1)

A. Smith has 19 1/2 sacks.

4. Texans (11–2)

Lots of wounds to lick.

5. Falcons (11–2)

Another late-year swoon?

6. Packers (9–4)

Division title theirs to win.

7. Seahawks (8–5)

They can smell playoffs.

8. Colts (9–4)

Run game still needs work.

9. Ravens (9–4)

Was Cameron firing panic?

10. Giants (8–5)

Ex-Hokie Wilson gives lift.

11. Redskins (7–6)

Cousins drafted for a reason.

12. Bears (8–5)

Fade pattern is getting old.

13. Vikings (7–6)

Peterson making MVP case.

14. Cowboys (7–6)

Losing Bryant would be big.

15. Rams (6–6–1)

Learning how to win.

16. Steelers (7–6)

Consistently inconsistent.

17. Buccaneers (6–7)

Playoff hopes almost gone.

18. Browns (5–8)

Saving Shurmur’s job?

19. Bengals (7–6)

No time to pout over loss.

20. Jets (6–7)

Still have shot at playoffs.

21. Chargers (5–8)

Delaying the inevitable?

22. Panthers (4–9)

Too little, too late.

23. Saints (5–8)

Does Payton want to return?

24. Lions (4–9)

Cards are a welcome foe.

25. Dolphins (5–8)

Last 6 games: one takeaway

26. Bills (5–8)

RB Jackson’s season over.

27. Eagles (4–9)

A rare chance to smile.

28. Titans (4–9)

Locker a turnover machine.

29. Raiders (3–10)

Young players get a shot.

30. Jaguars (2–11)

Team makes Mularkey ill.

31. Chiefs (2–11)

WR Bowe (ribs) is out.

32. Cardinals (4–9)

How low can they go?

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