4 Worst Coaching Decisions of the 2011 NFL Season

There have been a lot of spectacular of moments this season, but there have been a fair share of coaching blunders. Some of them may have cost their team a game, but there have been some head-scratching moves that have cost their team a chance at a successful season.

Here are four bonehead moves that have been the worst of the 2011 season.  

Andy Reid Hiring Juan Castillo as Defensive Coordinator

When Andy Reid made the announcement that his former offensive line coach was going to call his defensive plays, it left a lot of us scratching out heads. 

So far, the gamble has not paid off. Literally, for the type of personnel they have, they have played a style of defense that is almost exactly the opposite of what they should be doing. They put a lot of pressure on their inexperienced linebackers and safeties. They tried using Nnamdi Asomouga, who is an excellent press-man corner who knows how to use angles and the sideline, in zone coverage. 

If Reid does not rectify his mistake at the end of the year, the move may very well cost him his job.

Mike Smith's Infamous 4th Down Decision

I know hindsight is 20/20, but my issue with this decision isn't the down and distance, it was where they were on the field. If they are on their 40-yard line, I got no problem with it. 

But in this instance, the reward just does not warrant the risk. Failure would have been an automatic loss. Even if they do get it, the Falcons still would have had to drive another 45 yards to get into field goal range.

Either way, it's a decisions I know Mike Smith regrets. 

Mike Shanahan Benching Rex Grossman

My problem with this decision isn't benching Grossman, it was the timing of it. The Redskins were still not totally out of the playoff picture, and Grossman was not the only reason they were losing. When Beck went in and did even worse, Shanahan looked like a bit of a fool when he went back to Grossman, who enjoyed two solid games before a drubbing by the Jets. 

It was almost as if they were just waiting for Grossman to fail so they could get a look at Beck. At least they accomplished something. 

Jim Caldwell Not Doing Anything

You know you have no impact on your team when they go to a Super Bowl and go winless within a three-year span. 

The Colts have not won a game. They have looked like a high school team at times. So what does Caldwell do? Nothing. They don't add shifts to their offense, they don't try blitzing on defense. They would rather hold their hands to their ears and yell "lalala I can't hear you!"

They finally did fire their defensive coordinator, but it is far too late to make any impact. Caldwell has done an awful job this season.