Black Monday 2014

New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan coaches against the New England Patriots during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Jets 17-16. (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)

Black Monday is quickly approaching, this is the day we see NFL Head Coaches handed pink slips and a boot to the ass out of the organization they have presumably spent more time with than their families. But this is a business and while some owners give Coaches a long leash most have a short “WIN NOW” or get fired collar around their necks.

This year I can see 6-7 Coaches hitting the Unemployment line. Most of whom actually do deserve to be fired and a few that I think could have one hell of a wrongful termination suit on their hands. I will not sit here and guess what the billionaire owners will do, but I will sit here and say who I think should get canned and who I think would give each team the best chance to win in the coming seasons.

• Number One 
  

Rex Ryan is a great Defensive Coach, not a very good HC and not a very good judge of talent. I think He should be fired and to give the Jets the best chance to rebuild I think one guy is tailor made for the rebuilding effort. That guy is Brian Bilick. He has been out of the coaching circle for some time but he has a proven track record and knows what it takes to win.

• Number Two
  

  CHICAGO BEARS

Marc Trestman had tons of offensive weapons at his disposal but he couldn’t make them run on all cylinders,  Cutler didn’t grow as a QB and that is what Trestman is known for, being the QB Whispers. Since the Bears have the talent and now a decent draft pick they can really make a run next season with or without Cutler. I would do everything in my power to bring in Jim Harbaugh, he knows the NFC, and he wins and could end up bringing a Super Bowl to the Bears. I doubt he takes the job but the Bears MUST give him an offer.

• Number Three
  

  OAKLAND

The Raiders have a chance to be a good team if they could find the right Coach; Dennis Allen had no business being a Head Coach and Tony Sparano didn’t make much of an impact with the Raiders either. I would move on and take a guy that has been brought along slowly and has a ton of knowledge. Winston Moss, the Packers Assistant Head Coach/Linebacker Coach, is a guy that I’ve said deserves a shot at a Head Coaching gig for a few years now.

• Number Four

  GIANTS

Tom Coughlin is old and hasn’t been able to get the best out his players for a few seasons now, he is a great coach and a Super Bowl winning coach but it’s time the team moves on and looks elsewhere. The Giants have been on the downside of good for a few seasons now and they need to rebuild, they need a coach that knows how to push his players above and beyond, one name comes to mind, Vic Fangio… WHO? Yep Vic Fangio the 49ers Defensive Coordinator that helped Harbaugh turn around the 49ers and give them a top ranked defense. Granted Fangio doesn’t have Head Coaching experience but he has done enough as the DC to open my eyes and offer him a job.

• Number Five
  

  SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Let me get this out of the way… Jim Harbaugh should not be fired but all signs point to him being removed, with that being said I think they have a nasty defense and should use that as their groundwork. Todd Bowles from Arizona would make an immediate impact with the personnel he would have at his disposal on defense. I think for him to be successful he would have to hire an OC that uses the Spread or Pistol to really tap into all the benefits that Colin Kaepernick has to offer. AGAIN JIM HARBAUGH SHOULD NOT BE FIRED, if anything they should fire their OC, Greg Roman and keep the rest of the Coaching staff intact.

• Number Six
  

  ATLANTA FALCONS

I’m writing this before I know the outcome Panthers game. It has a lot riding on it and the winner may do enough to keep their job and the loser, well chances are they hit the road. So I’ll say this, if the Falcons lose, Mike Smith needs to go, he has enough weapons on offense not to win, he has had a long leash and has not improved much over the years.  Rumors are that the Falcons will offer the job to Adam Gase from the Broncos but I am not sold on him, he could be a product of having a guy named Peyton Manning as the QB.  I would take the team in another direction; I would offer the job to Pete Carmichael, Jr. the Saints Offensive Coordinator. Carmichael has done wonders for the Saints and has a great Pedigree for coaching, working under Marty Schottenheimer and Sean Payton. Why not hire a guy that knows the teams in your own Division.

• Number Seven
  

  CAROLINA PANTHERS

Again, this depends on who wins the final game, if the Falcons win Ron Rivera is gone…  Only one guy comes to mind here and it would take a lot of convincing to pull him out of the broadcast booth but since it’s in his own state and he would have an electrifying QB in Cam Newton he should at least think about it. Who you ask? Bill Cowher is the guy. Chances are slim that he would get back into coaching but one must try.

Well there you have it, my list of 7, it could be less it could be more but let me say this again JIM HARBAUGH should not be fired.  Black Monday always has a surprise or two and I doubt this Monday will disappoint us. Pink Slips will be flying and rumors will be swirling, it’s just the start to what seems like will be an exciting NFL off-Season.