Ranking The Best Open Head Coaching Gigs In the NFL

Black Monday has come and gone in the NFL, which means that for some teams, their head coach has left the building and they are in search of a new one. For some teams, namely Jacksonville and Minnesota, they already have their coach and are able to concentrate on other matters this offseason.

For the myriad of teams who are either without a head coach or whose head coach could still be let go, today begins the start of the long offseason process of finding a head coach and helping to rebuild the team. These eight teams may all be on the market for a new coach when everything is said and done. Which of these options offer the best talent and the best chance for a head coach to turn the team around and into a playoff power?

8. Carolina Panthers

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 02: Jason Snelling #44 of the Atlanta Falcons breaks a tackle by Sherrod Martin #23 of the Carolina Panthers at Georgia Dome on January 2, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

If a coach wants to start practically from scratch, then here's the job for you. A 2-14 record, no good quarterbacks, an old number one receiver, and only a couple good defenders, it's tough to know where to begin. At least John Kasay can still kick. Good luck, new Carolina coach.

7. Cincinnati Bengals

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BALTIMORE, MD - JANUARY 2: Willis McGahee #23 of the Baltimore Ravens runs the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Bengals 13-6. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images)

While the Bengals do have some talent, such as Cedric Benson, Carlos Dunlap, and Leon Hall, Carson Palmer no longer seems to be the Carson Palmer of old. The new head coach will have to make a decision on that, and whichever way he picks will be frowned upon.

Aside from that, this team always has off-field issues and can't seem to stay consistent. Even when they do acquire talent, like this year, they can't get it to produce. Marvin Lewis can have it back if he really wants it.

6. Cleveland Browns

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CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 02: Safety Ryan Mundy #29 of the Pittsburgh Steelers tackles running back Mike Bell #22 of the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

On the surface, this looks like a good gig. Mike Holmgren has built up a young core that includes Colt McCoy, Joe Haden, Peyton Hillis, and others. They have the ability to win against big teams when they work together, as we've seen.

Two major problems emerge, though. First, Browns fans tend to be impatient. Mangini lasted only two seasons, and four years is the record since re-establishment. They want to win now, and if the number don't improve immediately you're gone. Second, the AFC North is a very tough conference, with the Ravens and Steleers being good year in and year out. Should you actually pull this job off though, you'd be set for life.

5. Miami Dolphins

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 02: Brandon Tate #19 of the New England Patriots carries the ball as Reshad Jones #20 of the Miami Dolphins chases after him on January 2, 2011 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Taking over a 7-9 team doesn't sound all that bad. Taking over a 7-9 team that is about to lose both its running backs is a much tougher puzzle to solve. There are pieces of a good team around, such as Brandon Marshall, but they haven't come together yet.

Not to mention that the AFC East has the Patriots and Jets running wild. Should you accept this job, you need to decide if Chad Henne's going to be the franchise quarterback quick, and work from there, particularly in the secondary. Just be careful: this team may have overachieved in some games, so a 5-11 could happen, which would look pretty bad.

Tony Sparano might be back next year, but Miami could easily decide to go in another direction.

4. Oakland Raiders

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 02: Wide receiver Nick Miller #89 of the Oakland Raiders laterals the ball in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Tim Umphrey/Getty Images)

If we were going solely by talent, the Raiders would be around the top. Darren McFadden has proven why he was drafted so high, they played amazingly in conference games, Kamerion Wimbley has proven to be a great pickup, and their 8-8 record is their best in quite some time.

So why is this bad? Al Davis hires and fires on a whim. you could go 1-15 and be entirely fine, or go 9-7 and be canned, or anything else. You never really know what's going on in the front office, and that's a terrible place for a head coach to be. On the plus side, the Raiders are a continually improving team and could absolutely make the playoffs in 2011 with some adjustments, so long as Davis approves.

Tom Cable's not gone yet, but you never know what will happen in Oakland.

3. Denver Broncos

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DENVER - JANUARY 02: Wide receiver Randy McMichael #81 of the San Diego Chargers makes a 17 yard first down reception as linebacker Mario Haggan #57 of the Denver Broncos moves in for the tackle at INVESCO Field at Mile High on January 2, 2011 in Denver,

How is Denver better than Oakland? For starters, you can't do much worse than the last guy, Josh McDaniels. There's already a potential franchise quarterback in Tim Tebow and a very good receiving corps.

That being said, the defense need to be completely restructured, and that will be your task in Denver. It doesn't need to be completed immediately, as the offense can pull off some wins, but it does need to happen relatively soon. The front office is ready to win, though, and people will get behind you.

2. Tennessee Titans

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INDIANAPOLIS - JANUARY 02: Chris Johnson #28 of the Tennessee Titans is tackled by Robert Mathis #98 and Antonio Johnson #99 of the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. the Colts won 23-20. (Photo by Andy

Jeff Fisher may or may not be on his way out. If he is, then here lies a great opportunity for any coach. You have a franchise running back in Chris Johnson, many great defensive playmakers, and a quarterback who can potentially be a franchise guy if you're able to go what Jeff Fisher could not: cause him to mature.

The pieces are there to make a great team. The trick is just to add in the right pieces to fit alongside them, as well as making sure Johnson doesn't get hurt and ruin the running game. If you can manage this, then taking over the AFC South could be easily, particularly if this year was the beginning of Peyton Manning's decline.

1. San Francisco 49ers

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 02: Ahamd Brooks #55 of the San Francisco 49ers intercepts the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on January 2, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

The best opportunity out there, the 49ers have a lot of talent ready to go. Michael Crabtree, Manny Lawson, Vernon Davis, Frank Gore, Nate Clements, and Patrick Willis can all be great; that's where the coach comes in. The team underachieved badly this year, and needs a coach that can step up and make the team win.

Should you accept this job, a quarterback needs to be found. Should the right one be added onto the 49ers roster, everything else should fall into place pretty easily, and an NFC West title even in the first year is not out of the question. Work will need to be done on both sides, especially defense, to stay over .500 though.