Coaching Casualties and more..

It's about 48 hours after the last whistle blew on the 2008 regular season, and already three coaches have been canned. Here's what I think about all of them.

1. Detroit coach Rod Marinelli

Good defensive coach, and an even better guy. However, there is NO WAY a coach can let his team go 0-16 in a season, and still make a case for keeping his job. Well, his Lions team captured that illustrious record Sunday, and Marinelli was fired Monday. If there is the right way to go 0-16, Marinelli's Lions did it. They never gave up, and were competitive until the very end. But in this league, being competitive doesn't win you games, and in direct relation, doesn't keep you your job. 

2. Cleveland coach Romeo Crennel

What a difference a year makes. This time last year, the Browns finished their season 10-6, just a game out of the playoffs. And with that came excitement and expectations. Pro-bowlers Derek Anderson, Braylon Edwards, and Kellen Winslow were supposed to get Cleveland to the playoffs for the first time since 2000. Instead of landing the city of Cleveland a trip to the playoffs, those three players landed on the injured-reserved list, and the Browns ended up going 3-13. Shockingly, It wasn't that the Browns missing the playoffs got Crennel fired. It was the way it happened. Fights in the locker room, players speaking out, not scoring an offensive touchdown in the final 6 games of the season, now that's something that might get a coach canned.

3. Jets coach Eric Mangini

Not sure what to think about this one. Two season with a winning record, but the collapse of the 2008 season is what most likely sealed his fate. The Jets started 8-3, and were poised for the post-season. However, losing 4 of their last 5 games, New York found themselves on the outside of the playoff picture, looking for someone to blame. To me it was either "Blame Mangini" or "Blame Favre". In the Jets perspective, it's alot easier to blame a young, in-experienced coach, than a first-ballot Hall of Fame Quarterback.  

Other Coaches Who I Predict Will Get the Pink Slip

1. Bills coach Dick Jauron

2. Chiefs coach Herm Edwards

3. Rams interim coach Jim Haslett

4. Raiders interim coach Tom Cable

Other Coaches Who Should Get Fired, But Won't

1. Cowboys coach Wade Phillips

2. Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio

3. Broncos coach Mike Shanahan

4. Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden