NFL head coaches and their staffs are judged by the results of their jobs and that could be anything from their substitution decisions during the game, their play-calling on a certain drive in the third quarter, the flow and chemistry of the team from week to week, and their accomplishments.
Back in the days when the Great Lombardi patrolled the sidelines, team owners paid attention to the product that the coaches and players worked together to create and produce, but they weren't as trigger-happy as today's NFL owners when it came to dealing with "the result."
Gone are the days of Tom Landry, Chuck Knoll, Paul Brown, Bill Cowher, and Mike Shanahan.
Today, teams are based on the same principles and philosophies as that of Fortune 500 companies, to the point that head coaches are better off renting than owning their own homes.
While it is still a little early to start labeling a team as a failure for this season, the performances and "results" on the field are beginning to reflect whose ear pads on their headsets might be more soaked in sweat as they look up to the owner's box.
- Brian Billick - Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome and his scouting department do an outstanding job in finding superb talent for Coach Billick and Co. It's his job to utilize that strength and produce bankable success. Not happening.
- Tom Coughlin - The last two wins could very well be a last-minute climb to a higher altitude before the plummeting continues. A loss to the cross-town Jets will have many fans looking for a parachute.
- John Fox - Carolina fans are turning against him, but what else is new. Every NFL team has fair-weather fans that want the coach to take the fall, but Mr. Richardson may have his hand forced to find a new coach if this team doesn't start winning and that starts with its defense playing with passion and heart.
- Scott Linehan - St. Louis is a franchise that has taken a really bad wrong turn and is now lost. Yes, Linehan has the credentials as a great O-coordinator which should always mean that you are going to be a great head coach. Right, Norv Turner?
- Norv Turner - For the third time......STAY IN THE COACH'S BOX!
This is a critical week for several teams as they frantically search and reach for anything that will keep them from succumbing to the quicksand's suction.
- Cleveland Browns (2-2) at New England Patriots (4-0): CBS, 1pm EST - An intriguing coaching battle takes place in Foxboro as ex-Pats defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel returns to his old stomping grounds and faces his former partner-in-crime Bill Belichick who started his coaching career in Cleveland. I expect Cleveland to keep this one very close....within 3 TD's. EDDIE'S PICK - NEW ENGLAND
- N.Y. Jets (1-3) at N.Y. Giants (2-2): CBS, 1pm EST - The Battle of the Big Apple pits a Jets team that can't find its identity on defense or at QB vs. a Giants team whose D-line is playing lights out. EDDIE'S PICK - N.Y. GIANTS
- Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1) at Kansas City Chiefs (2-2): CBS, 1pm EST - Both squads have their defenses clicking, but K.C. has the momentum and returns to their fortress after a huge road win last week in San Diego. J-town has had trouble stopping the run which is excellent news for Larry Johnson. EDDIE'S PICK - KANSAS CITY
- Miami Dolphins (0-4) at Houston Texans (2-2): CBS, 1pm EST - This has been a very frustrating season for Miami who has shown zero consistency at any position. Houston has only faced Miami twice and won both times. In a very competitive AFC South division, the Texans can't afford to lose ground. EDDIE'S PICK - HOUSTON
- Carolina Panthers (2-2) at New Orleans Saints (0-3): FOX, 1pm EST - Go figure this one: Carolina is 0-2 at home and 2-0 on the road. They enter the Superdome to face a Saints team that knows they are on the brink of a lost season and have had two weeks to think about it. EDDIE'S PICK - NEW ORLEANS
- Atlanta Falcons (1-3) at Tennessee Titans (2-1): FOX, 1pm EST - Joey Harrington vs. Vince Young. I'm sorry, I don't know what else to say. EDDIE'S PICK - TENNESSEE
- Seattle Seahawks (3-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1): FOX, 1pm EST - I think this is probably the most exciting game of the week as this Super Bowl XL rematch pits a Seattle team that is the most balanced team in their division vs. a Pittsburgh team that is very hard to beat at home and possesses a running attack anchored by Willie Parker. The Steelers have won 8 straight games vs. NFC opponents at home. EDDIE'S PICK - PITTSBURGH
- Arizona Cardinals (2-2) at St. Louis Rams (0-4): FOX, 1pm EST - Before the season began, I would have guessed that these records would be reversed. The Rams are simply playing pitiful football mostly due to injuries and shaky depth which is typically a lethal combination. Arizona has the elements to become a well rounded squad, and RB Edgerrin James should have a huge day. EDDIE'S PICK - ARIZONA
- Detroit Lions (3-1) at Washington Redskins (2-1): FOX, 1pm EST -You hear about the chess match between coaches and the war in the trenches, but a battle between WR's and a secondary does not get much press. The super-sized receivers of Detroit up flying among the Skins secondary, which features four #1 draft picks, will be like a dogfight in the sky. Detroit is 0-20 on the road vs. Washington and coach Joe Gibbs has never lost to Detroit posting an 11-0 record. EDDIE'S PICK - WASHINGTON
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1) at Indianapolis Colts (4-0): FOX, 4:05pm EST - This will be a great litmus test for the Bucs as they face the elite world champions on their home turf. The jury is still out on how solid and serious this Tampa team is and losing RB Cadillac Williams and LT Luke Petitgout only compounds things. The Bucs defense has allowed a league-low 11 points/game and will enjoy facing Manning and Co. EDDIE'S PICK - INDIANAPOLIS
- San Diego Chargers (1-3) at Denver Broncos (2-2): CBS, 4:15pm EST - A very disappointing early season has befuddled the Chargers, and the Broncos are struggling to stop the run while also dealing with drug issues concerning RB Travis Henry. Jacksonville proved two weeks ago that Mile High Stadium is penetrable so expect L.T. to lead a Chargers resurgence as they take a step forward to save their season. EDDIE'S PICK - SAN DIEGO
- Baltimore Ravens (2-2) at San Francisco 49ers (2-2): CBS, 4:15pm EST - If there's a weakness to the stout Baltimore defense it's the 19th-ranked secondary which faces ex-Ravens QB Trent Dilfer who led Baltimore to the Super Bowl in 2000. The Niners offense though is ranked last in the league and must have one amazing performance by RB Frank Gore for them to have a prayer. EDDIE'S PICK - BALTIMORE
- Chicago Bears (1-3) at Green Bay Packers (4-0): NBC, 8:15pm EST - I don't care what the records show. Both teams could be 0-15, and this historic NFC North rivalry is still pure magic to watch. This week's battle takes place in Lambeau Field and the mystique is back! EDDIE'S PICK - GREEN BAY
- Dallas Cowboys (4-0) at Buffalo Bills (1-3): ESPN, 8:30pm EST, MNF - And you thought Super Bowls XXVII and XXVIII were overpowering? EDDIE'S PICK - DALLAS
STANDINGS
Cris Collinsworth: 7-7, 42-20
Eddie Chinn: 6-8, 39-23
Bob Costas: 8-6, 39-23
Cris Carter: 5-9, 38-24
Chris Mortensen: 10-4, 37-25
Dan Marino: 5-9, 36-26
Sean Salisbury: 5-9, 33-29
BYE: PHILADELPHIA, MINNESOTA, CINCINNATI, OAKLAND
No comments:
Post a Comment