thependulumswings

Hurry, there are only six shopping days left till Christmas.   If you are in the market, or soon will be, for a new head coach in the NFL Black Monday is fast approaching as well.  Black Monday is the day several coaches will get their pink slips.  This year it falls on New Year’s Eve.  What a way to end this year and ring in next.

Part one of our commentary and predictions on which franchises thought their coach was naughty and which were nice posted yesterday.  Today we examine eight more teams on our way to all 32 in our four-part series.  And, we lead off with none other than America’s team.

Dallas Cowboys, Jason Garrett– How bout dem Cowboys?  To answer that question, we have a question.  Which Cowboy’s team are you asking about?  After a slow start Dallas used an efficient offense and a stingy defense to rip off five wins in a row including a convincing Thursday night win over the N.O. Saints two weeks back.  This past Sunday they scored exactly zero and allowed Indy’s run game to resemble a startled colt in an open field.  This season is a microcosm of the Jason Garrett tenure as their HC.  Up, down, up….  Normally impatient Jerry Jones has been patient for eight years with Garrett.  If they fall shy of a playoff berth this year his patience may have run its course.  A playoff berth and a “one and done” might not be enough either.  Who really knows?  It’s Jerry’s World.  We think a change is possible and borders on probable.  Kliff Kingsbury anyone?

Denver Broncos,Vance Joseph– Saturday’s home loss to Cleveland extinguished any playoff hopes that the now 6-8 Broncos had.  It likely extinguished the undistinguished two-year run that Vance Joseph has had at the helm.  The Broncos need better players and they need a better coach.   Vance Joseph, he of two first names, will add his name to the unemployed.

Detroit Lions, Matt Patricia– The pencil behind his ear makes him look a bit like one William Belicheck on the sidelines.  The beard and his team’s performance make him look like anything but Patriot Billy.  It’s year one for him.  If you are a Ford and your maiden name is Firestone, as the principal owner’s is, you must give Matt more time on the assembly line to improve on a 5-9 and counting first year record.  The winter always seems longer in Detroit right about now.

Green Bay Packers, Joe Philbin– Philbin took over for Mike McCarthy two weeks ago.  McCarthy had a long and successful run in Cheese Land.  But, as stated above, sometimes it’s just time.  This time the departure was hastened by the discord that festered between McCarthy and wonder boy Aaron Rodgers.  If you cannot get along with Aaron you cannot get along with anyone.  Um, well, that is true unless you are his family, his ex GF, or his ex coach of course.  Danica Patrick beware.   Philbin is (ph)illing in for two more weeks.  The winter suddenly seems longer in Wisconsin right about now.  The new coach will benefit from multiple 2019 draft picks and a franchise QB.  It’s a good spot.

Houston Texans, Bill O’Brien– Media and fans alike chuckled at the five-year, $25 million fat contract extension O’Brien got this past offseason prior to owner Bob McNair’s passing.   Who’s laughing now?  An 0-3 start has turned all the way around to a #2 seed if the playoffs began today.  Mr. McNair is smiling from above.  Bill and his smug attitude are in H Town for a while.

Indianapolis Colts, Frank Reich– Year one for Coach Reich has had a bit of everything.  He’s made a few questionable strategic moves at crunch time.  But, after a slow start, he has the team playing as one and in the hunt down the stretch.   A healthy Andrew Luck has helped.  Reich’s time in Indy is just beginning.

Jacksonville Jaguars, Doug Marrone– Well, well.  This is an enigma wrapped in a conundrum.   Marrone and his stingy D had Jacksonville one bad fourth quarter AFC Championship game away from a Super Bowl berth last year.  One year later and player outbursts, concentration penalties, a bad Blake Bortles extension, and several mail it in efforts define the lost year that 2018 is for them.  This is a tough call in only his second year.   He was fired once as a HC already as Buffalo shuffled him out.  Is it him or is it his players?  This franchise continually lacks continuity.  It would surprise no one if he was fired.  Our guess is that his success last year earned him one more try next year.

Kansas City Chiefs, Andy Reid–  Reid is one of the five best coaches in the NFL.  Period.  His resume’ speaks loudly.  What’s the high side?  Reid and Mahomes could go on a run like Belicheck and Brady if they field a legit D.  If they don’t they could go on a run like Payton and Brees.  Regardless, they will go on nice run even if Andy doesn’t look like a guy who enjoys running.  Reid, Mahomes, and KC BBQ is a nice combo platter.

The tally on our call on the above teams is three more out and five in.  That brings us to halftime with seven out and nine in.

The series rolls on tomorrow with part three.  Let us know what you think.