NFL coaches that would gotten the axe for going for it on 4th and 2 on their own 28.

Bill Belichick is the talk of the sports world after his daredevil play calling in the fourth quarter of sunday night’s New England Patriots at Indianapolis Colts game. To quickly recap Belichick went for it on fourth and two at his own 28 and Peyton Manning easily led his team down the short field capping it of with a touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne to win the game 35-34. Belichick happens to be the most successful active coach in the NFL and has more job security than anyone. The same cannot be said for a majority of the other head coaches in the league. Lets take a look at some jobs that might be in jeopardy if the same events occurred with a different coach.


Wade Phillips: He would never have the authority to pull a move like that, but if he did Jerry Jones would have fired him by the time the Cowboys got to the locker room.


Jim Zorn: In this case Zorn would have defiantly been fired on the spot. Then again he would have been fired if the Redskins punted. Although the Skins did show some life in their upset of the Falcons.


Dick Jauron: The scary thing is that he would probably keep his job. In this case the Bills would have probably just run the ball up the middle three times , but if this happened to the Bills you would have to think he would finally be out leaving behind his legacy of 7-9 seasons.


Tom Cable: He would almost certainly get the boot, but for that to happen the Raiders would actually have to have a six point lead with two minutes to go.


John Fox: Considering that a loss like this would put the final nail in the coffin for the Panther playoff hopes It would be very difficuly for Fox to survive the backlash.


Raheem Morris: There have been reports that he may be on the hot seat. Despite the fact that the Bucs have not played a meaningful game since last season’s finally a 33 year-old coach making a move like that could pressure the owner Malcolm Glazer to make a move and fast.


Gary Kubiak: Considering that this may be a make or break season for Kubiak with the Houston Texans a move like this would likely ensure the break. However, if the team could survive it and make the playoffs he would probably survive regardless.


Norv Turner: I think we should give him a chance to actually try this. He’s always found a way to mess up yet he keeps getting work , but you would have to think that with the annual expectations for the San Diego Chargers that General Manager A.J. Smith might pull the plug onTurner.


Eric Mangini: With the recent firing of General Manager George Kokinis it has already been speculated that the former Mangenius will not make it past this season. After the disasterous season that he has had the Browns might cut ties on the spot.


Jack Del Rio: There have been rumblings that Del Rio is on the hot seat, but the Jaguars have recently gotten themselves back into the playoff hunt. With that said if he pulled a Belichick, which would severely damage Jacksonville’s playoff hopes that hot seat would be scorching.


You would have to think that the rest of the first year coaches would be safe along with the remaining coaches in the league. However if this were to happen in a playoff situation then it could end the tenure of a long time coach who has never quite reached the pinnacle such as: Andy Reed, Lovie Smith, and Brad Childress.


The message here is if you are an NFL head coach do not do anything too crazy.

Why History Is Not On The New Orleans Saints Side

The New Orleans Saints have stormed out to an impressive 8-0 start and a three game lead in the NFC South. The team has a favorable schedule and has an excellent chance to get home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. On the offensive end Drew Brees has been outstanding and the passing game has been unstoppable during the first half of the season. The team’s three headed running attack of Pierre Thomas, Reggie Bush, and Mike Bell have given the Saints offense a balanced attack. The defense has improved under new defensive coordinator Greg Williams forcing turnovers and getting a good rush, but you have to be concerned with the amount of points they are giving up. This side of the ball has to be a major concern for the team heading into the playoffs especially when you consider the solid running game possessed by a Minnesota or Dallas, which could potentially keep the New Orleans offense of the field. Unfortunately for the Saints recent history has shown us that high octane offensive teams with questionable defenses with questionable defenses are no strangers to great starts but often burnout in the playoffs.


Historically, scoring a ton of points in the regular season has not always translated to post-season success. The 2005 Colts took the NFL by storm. They started the season with 13 straight wins and finished 14-2, heavily favored to go the Super Bowl. Their offense could not be stopped. However, they were upset in the first round by the #6 seed Steelers, who ended up going on to win the Super Bowl. The same is true for the '03 Chiefs. They started the year with a franchise best 9-0 start and finished 13-3. The tandem of Trent Green and Priest Holmes led the Chiefs to the AFC West championship and a first round bye. Holmes ended up breaking Marshall Faulk's single season rushing record. However, the post-season loomed and they ended up losing a shootout in the AFC Divisional Playoffs to the aforementioned Colts in which their defense could not come close to stopping the Colts. In 1998 the Minnesota Vikings tore through the NFL led by league MVP quarterback Randall Cunningham, and the electrifying rookie Randy Moss. This team also featured the legendary Chris Carter and Robert Smith who helped the Vikings offense set what was at that time the scoring record for points in a season and a 15-1 record. However, despite all the accolades Minnesota lost a heart breaking NFC Championship game to the Atlanta Falcons 30-27 in overtime bringing their record breaking season to a stunning end. Finally, lets look at the '07 Patriots. This may be the best example of all. Tom Brady, Randy Moss, Wes Welker and company were a historic offensive force. Welker led the league in receptions while Moss set an NFL record with 23 touchdown grabs. It seemed like every week the Pats would put up 50 and not think twice. Even though some teams came close, the Pats went undefeated in the regular season and beat the Jaguars and Chargers to advance to the Super Bowl. Deemed by some to be the best team of all time, they were double digit favorites against the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII. However, once again Defense prevailed. The Giants put tremendous pressure on Tom Brady and the offensive juggernaut was held to only 14 points, in what some people call the biggest upset in football history. The Pats ended the season 18-1, leaving the 1972 Miami Dolphins as the only undefeated champions in NFL History.


What will the future hold for the New Orleans Saints only time will tell.