2011 NFL Predictions: 6 Teams That Could Fire a Coordinator This Season

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

In the National Football League, there are a number of teams that have significant weaknesses on either offense, defense, or special teams.

Even though a team may win 12 or 13 games, they could still have some glaring holes in their roster, or perhaps even an entire side of the ball may be weak. 

The following six slides will highlight the coaches who may be fired by the end of the 2011 season if his team does not improve. 

Mel Tucker, DC, Jacksonville Jaguars

NFL Photos/Getty Images

The defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Mel Tucker joined the team after the 2008 season. In his two seasons with the team, Jacksonville has allowed 380 and 419 points (compared to the 304 in 2007 and the 267 in 2008). 

How much worse does the defense need to get before he is blamed for the team's failures?

Jim Haslett, DC, Washington Redskins

Handout/Getty Images

A former head coach with the New Orleans Saints, Jim Haslett was brought in to bring the Redskins' defense back to one of the best in the league.

He failed miserably in 2010, as the unit surrendered 377 points. The low was a 59-point game against the Philadelphia Eagles, as well as the eventual suspension for defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. 

Juan Castillo, DC, Philadelphia Eagles

NFL Photos/Getty Images /Getty Images

For more than a decade, Juan Castillo served as the offensive line coach for the Philadelphia Eagles. So why, why, why was he promoted to defensive coordinator? He hasn't coached any part of a defense since the late 1980s, and that was in high school.

With the incredible talent that the Eagles brought in on defense during the offseason (Nnamdi Asomugha, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Cullen Jenkins, Jason Babin), Castillo could be the fall guy if the defense doesn't improve from an extremely disappointing 2010 season, particularly in the red zone. 

Gus Bradley, DC, Seattle Seahawks

Handout/Getty Images

Gus Bradley was hired to help improve a defense that allowed close to 400 points in the 2008 season.

In his two seasons as the team's defensive coordinator, the Seahawks have allowed 390 and 407 points, and have shown absolutely no signs of improving on defense. I'm still not sure why they cut three-time Pro Bowl linebacker Lofa Tatupu. 

Ray Rychleski, ST, Indianapolis Colts

NFL Photos/Getty Images

During Rychleski's two years with the team, the Colts have had one of the worst special teams units in the league. In 2009, they allowed 25.3 yards per kick return, and in 2010 they allowed 25.8 yards per kick return, as well as two return touchdowns.

There's also the dropped onside kick in the Super Bowl against New Orleans that turned out to be a pretty important play. It wasn't his fault that Hank Baskett dropped the kick, but he should have put his hands team in to prepare. 

Romeo Crennel, DC, Kansas City Chiefs

Scott Boehm/Getty Images

Crennel anchored the Chiefs' defense in 2010, and they performed well, surrendering just 326 points for the season. 

But they have allowed 89 points in just two games in 2011, easily the worst total in the National Football League. They've also lost safety Eric Berry for the year.