(Photo by: Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
2009 is going to be an important season for more than a few people. If these coaches or players don't succeed, they could see themselves out of a job by 2010.
Not all of them are on the axe list because of the their performance, but of because of their circumstances.
Jim Zorn, Head Coach, Washington Redskins
This one is beyond me. Jim Zorn has only been a head coach for a year, and posted an 8-8 record last year. Sure it's not great, but it could be worse. How could a young coach possibly be in position to be canned?
Well the reality is that he works for Dan Snyder. And Dan Snyder burns through more head coaches faster than Bowflex supposedly burns fat. From 2000-2008, he has hired then fired six coaches.
Most infamously, he fired Norv Turner mid-season, who went on to become the head coach of the Chargers, and found much more success there.
The Bottom Line: If Zorn doesn't perform to Snyder's ridiculously high standards, he'll be out of a job, and someone else will step into the hot seat.
David Garrard, Quarterback, Jacksonville Jaguars
I'm alone in this it seems, but I think Garrard is a good QB. He has a good arm, and he has a scrambling and rushing skill comparable to Michael Vick in his prime.
The only knock on him is his decision making, which led to a few boneheaded picks late in the season. And that is enough to upset the fans and put him in the hotseat.
The Bottom Line: Garrard's success lies in the team as much as him. If the Jags can reverse their 5-11 record, it won't really matter how he plays. If the Jags post the same record or worse, Garrard better put up some good numbers, or he'll be on the bench or out of work.
Tom Cable, Head Coach, Oakland Raiders
Like Jim Zorn this isn't necessarily about his skill, but about his boss. Tom Cable hasn't served a full season as a head coach but is already in the hot seat.
Al Davis is like Dan Snyder, just not as extreme. He burns through so many coaches you could have a full coaching staff filled with the people he canned. He posted a 4-8 record as interim head coach, as many wins as his predecessor in a full season.
The Bottom Line: Cable looks OK, for now. If he doesn't perform to the Absolute Dictator's liking, he'll join Norv Turner, Bill Callahan, Art Shell, and Lane Kiffin as former Raider coaches.
Jason Campbell, Quarterback, Washington Redskins
Jason Campbell may well be entering his last year as a Redskin. Jim Zorn seems committed to him, and I don't blame him. He threw 16 touchdowns in 2008 and only six interceptions.
But fans feel that he is the reason for the 'Skins late-season collapse that forced them into an 8-8 record and last in their division.
The Bottom Line: If Campbell and the Redskins can't perform well this year, Campbell will most likely be blamed. Being nailed to the cross by the fans and players could likely mean his benching or firing.
JaMarcus Russell, Quarterback, Oakland Raiders
JaMarcus Russell came into Oakland with high expectations. As of now, he has shown some flashes of brilliance, but only flashes. The pressure is on Russell now since the addition of veteran Jeff Garcia.
Garcia has a long track record, playing for five different teams before the Raiders. Not only that, he is a four-time Pro Bowler and posted a passer rating of 90.4 last year in 12 games.
The Bottom Line: If JaMarcus Russell can't have a breakout year or perform to Al Davis's standards, then Jeff Garcia will take his spot, and Russell will be on the bench.
Wade Phillips, Head Coach, Dallas Cowboys
People wanted Phillips to be fired at the disastrous end of the Cowboys' 2008 campaign. Phillips and the Cowboys topped the NFC in 2007 with a 13-3 record, only to fall in the Divisional Round to the Giants.
To be honest, the only reason that I can think of is that Phillips would be fired is his ignorance in press conferences. Every answer is either "I don't know" or "I can't answer that question."
We're going to send you the most entertaining Washington Redskins articles, videos, and podcasts from around the web.
15 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete