NFL Predictions: Assistant Coaches Who Deserve a Chance at the Top Spot

The NFL has a strange carousel of coaches it uses over and over again to fill voids in the chain of empty coaching positions.

With the complexity of offenses and defenses, assistant coaches are just as vital as the head man in charge, maybe even more so.

The NFL does turn to assistant coaches to help fill these voids as well like Ron Rivera in Carolina, Rex Ryan in New York, Jack Del Rio in Jacksonville and John Harbaugh in Baltimore.

There is a growing list of assistants who are gaining ground and winning praise for their efforts this season and could get a call when the season is over to fill voids in cities where you know the head coach will be relieved of his duties.

Mike Zimmer, Cincinnati Bengals

Zimmer has the Cincinnati Bengals defense playing better than it has in years.

If the Bengals, who look like a playoff team, continue to play at such a high level, Zimmer should get a look to run a team on his own.

Rob Ryan, Dallas Cowboys

Another defensive coordinator who may get a long look.

Ryan, the twin brother of Rex Ryan in New York with the Jets, has gotten looks before, but now may be the right time for a team to strike and scoop up the other half of the Ryan brain trust.

Besides, two Ryans in the head position should prove to be quite comical.

Brian Schottenheimer. New York Jets

He is one of the reasons Mark Sanchez is playing better of late.

Schottenheimer and his offensive game plan have helped the Jets reach the AFC Championship game two years in a row.

He is young, innovative and could have a job waiting for him at the end of the season.

I like him in Jacksonville as a possible replacement for Jack Del Rio.

Tom Cable, Seattle

He is the current offensive line coach of the Seahawks, but there is something out there that tells me Cable can coach.

After an 8-8 record last year with the Raiders, Cable was released of his duties. Hue Jackson has the Raiders playing better, but injuries have cut the Raiders down a few pegs.

Cable is a no-nonsense coach who could whip a team into shape.

Mel Tucker, Jacksonville Jaguars

Tucker has transformer the Jaguars defense into a force.

A far cry from the units over the last few years.

Tucker took the parts given to him through free agency and existing players and molded them together to form a great run-stuffing front line and a better secondary.

Anyone who saw the game against the Ravens knows Tucker is an up and coming coach.

Jerry Gray, Tennessee Titans

For years, it was thought that Gray would get a head coaching job.

It has not happened yet.

All he does is develop defenses into top units.

Tennessee's defense has improved under his watch.

He should get at least a look this offseason.

Bill O'Brien, New England Patriots

O'Brien is offense coordinator and one of the reasons Tom Brady puts up mad numbers week after week.

But with any Bill Belichick-run system, you have to worry the assistant is a product of that system and whether or not they can go their own way.

See Josh McDaniel.

Perry Fewell, New York Giants

The Giants are playing well, thanks in part to the defensive work of Fewell.

Being in a division with the likes of Dallas and Philadelphia, you need to gameplan for strong offenses.

Fewell has the Giants playing at a pretty high level this season.

Mike Matrz, Chicago

This may not be a popular choice, but Martz was the offensive coordinator and then head coach of the "Greatest Show on Turf" and he is trying to work his magic in Chicago.

Admittedly, the Bears do not resemble the Rams, but Martz is known for his offensive creativity.

Jay Gruden, Cincinnati Bengals

This one is just a hunch.

Gruden, the younger brother of Jon Gruden, is the offensive coordinator in Cincinnati.

He has worked wonders with rookies Andy Dalton and AJ Green.

He may not get a look this season, but if the success of these two rookies continues and the Bengals make the playoffs on a consistent basis, then he will surely be a hot commodity.