Five NFL Head Coaches That Could Be Headed for Unemployment

Here we are, Week 12 of the '08 NFL season, and three coaches have already been fired. Mr. Kiffin, Mr. Nolan, and Mr. Linehan all had their shots to make a difference with their respective teams, but, ultimately, none could.

They paid the price, and now I'd like to highlight some others who could follow suit after the season.

1. Andy Reid

Okay, Eagle fans, I know that Andy has been the guy for nine seasons now and has led the Eagles to contention in six of those years. I also know that he holds the Philly record for wins (93) and winning percentage (.620), but it's time for the Eagles to make a change.

There is plenty of talent on that team, so there's really no reason they should tie with the Bengals.

Reid just hasn't utilized his weapons effectively recently. Using Bryan Westbrook on 4th-and-short at the end of the Giants game was not a smart call.

The opposite was true against Cincinnati. After a nine-yard carry by Westbrook on first down, the offense was unsuccessful on consecutive short-yardage passes, and was forced to punt.

Donovan's confusion at the end of the game just supports the need for a change in the City of Brotherly Love.

2. Lovie Smith

Lovie has always been a soft-spoken guy, which worked just fine during the Bears' Super Bowl run in '06.

Smith got more out of Rex Grossman that year than anyone could have imagined, and he let the lights-out defense do its thing. They were unable to claim the trophy, but he deserves credit for rallying the Bears to two consecutive division titles in '05 and '06. 

Since then, however, things really haven't been the same.

The offense really took a hit when it lost Thomas Jones last season, and the defense had some key injuries. This season, the rush defense has been back to normal, but the dreadful pass defense has killed Chicago.

I think all this team needs to be a serious contender is a shutdown corner, a good quarterback (which Kyle Orton very well could be), and the new attitude of a different coach.

3. Gary Kubiak

Kubiak was given the difficult task of bringing the three-year-old Texans into legitimacy.

The former Denver offensive genius has developed some players but has failed overall to guide the team to anything better than its .500 finish in '07. The AFC South is usually one of football's most competitive divisions, but with perennial division powers Indianapolis and Jacksonville struggling, I think it is about time Kubiak conquers the demons with at least a third-place finish.

The Texans have a very good defensive unit, and they have consistently drafted very well, but they just haven't produced. Is it time for Gary to be shown the door?

I think he'd find a lot more success as an offensive coordinator somewhere.

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