Coaches on the hot seat after three weeks:
Rex Ryan, obviously. I think that he won't make it to the end of the season. Shocking move firing the OC after 2 weeks, but even more shocking that the move was made by the owner himself... and without consulting Rex. The whole season comes down to their match up with Belichick in a few days. If they get rolled by the Ravens and Jets to start the season, and then can't beat the Pats without Brady... Rex will be gone. 1-3 with a relatively healthy and talented squad will be unacceptable in western NY. However, they were an absolute buzzsaw as they dismantled the Cardinals... a universally accepted elite team in the NFL. If they follow that up with another stellar performance vs. the Pats they will be 2-2 and looking like a team on the rise. One game can be so impactful. P.S.- Tom Coughlin has been rumored to be talking with the ownership in Buffalo.
Jay Gruden, unquestionably. He has certainly stumbled and struggled from day one as the big cheese in Washington. They won their division last year, but it was a historically bad division. What it boils down to in this situation is the team has performed well below their perceived talent level. It's that simple. If they don't squeak out that win last week in East Rutherford Gruden would have already been fired IMHO.
Gus Bradley, finally. My gosh, this team has drafted SO WELL over the past 4 years. Tons of young talent, a legitimate franchise QB, a solid coaching staff serving under Bradley... and it's Groundhog Day all over again in Jacksonville. Losing close games, and not making key plays when they are needed. It goes back to the culture that is created by the HC. Bradley is a loser. Get a guy like Mike Zimmer or Jack Del Rio in there who can help this squad grow a set of balls and this roster is deep in the playoffs. Stick with Bradley and you'll be drafting in the top 10 every year.
Sean Payton, surprisingly. I think he is a brilliant coach, and if he gets clipped this year he would be a PERFECT fit for the aforementioned Jaguars. The Saints are facing two main problems that have caused their struggles over the last few years and their current 0-3 start. One is horrendous drafting/ free agent signings/ trades. Yup I'm grouping all of that stuff into one category... 'roster moves'. Trading Jimmy Grahm was dumb. He and Brees had rare chemistry, breaking it up for a draft pick... when you obviously can't evaluate/ identify talent in the draft was a mistake. A big one. I am not sure how much influence Payton has on roster moves in general, but he's not the GM so I can't put much of the blame on his shoulders.
The other main problem that has been holding them back is Brees's greed. His contract has suffocated this team and limited their ability to sign talent. I felt that he showed some signs of decline last year despite his usual huge stat line. But this year I definitely see him starting to hit the wall. And he just forced his teams hand again into another huge extension. Payton needs a fresh start.
One final name I will mention is Todd Bowles. I've been a Jets fan for 30 years... inexplicably LOL. I was very excited about the Bowles hiring. I have been a very enthusiastic supporter of his. But, I also predicted a 2-5 start through the first 7 games this year, which defied conventional wisdom. My prediction wasn't because of Bowles, but because of poor roster management. The Jets GM won the prestigious executive of the year award is rookie season in 2015. But I have been very critical of his moves... and non-moves. The bloom is off the rose and we are starting to see the ramifications of his missteps. After an unacceptable one point loss in the home opener to a mediocre Bengals team that is not known for their poise in big games, followed by an absolute meltdown/ blowout loss on the road in KC the team is 1-2. Their sole victory coming vs. Rex Ryan's circus of a team in Buffalo.
Two factors that I think will start to warm up Bowles seat are his decision to keep FitzMagic in the game after 3... 4... 5... and even 6 INT's. It was terrible in game management. I'm one of his biggest fans, and even I shook my head. The second issue is that The Jets are facing the Seahawks this week. Their defense has been outstanding so far this season. Their QB is hobbled. They are traveling across the country for this game. The Jets are expected to win this game, no matter what the spread may be. I am sure they will lose. That will be a 1-3 start for a team that some expected to be a playoff caliber squad. Rumblings will start in NY. Trust me.
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