Raider Nation
Devil's Advocate
I only listed the coaches who you could make a serious argument for with four games to play. That came out to eleven names. I think all of these guys would be in the running if everything breaks right down the stretch.
For the record, I'm torn between Schottenheimer, Payton, Fisher and Mangini.
Schottenheimer - Marty has a lot more to work with than the other three finalists on my personal list, but nevertheless, the Chargers are a wrecking machine on both sides of the ball, and they are doing it behind a QB who is starting for the first time. Very impressive with only two losses. But the man does have the obvious advantage of coaching the best player in the sport along with a host of great run-stuffers.
Fisher - Tennessee's talent level is BRUTALLY bad. You look up and down their roster and you see players with less than 3 years of experience, yet they have only been blown out in three of their twelve games. This might be Fisher's best coaching job yet. If the Titans let him walk, they are insane. Still, the Titans are only 5-7, and Fisher has no shot unless his team has a winning record.
Mangini - I am frankly amazed that the J-E-T-S are 7-5. Amazed. I pegged them as the worst team in the league entering this campaign. I figured they would finish the season with three wins. Pennington is steady, the receivers are playing very well, and Mangini found a way to effectively utilize the "3-headed-RB monster" that they had for most of the season, even though none of the three backs are very special players. On defense, the Jets have had trouble stopping the run all year long, but they have steadily improved. DT Dwayne Robertson is finally playing up to his potential, and 2nd-year FS Kerry Rhodes is playing at a Pro Bowl level, and you have to think it's because of Mangini's defensive tutelage.
Payton - Another team the prognosticators had winning about four games, especially in a division that looked to be awfully difficult on paper. People wondered how Bush and McAllister would coexist, but they have each managed to find success and get plenty of touches. Post-Katrina New Orleans residents needed something to uplift them, and Payton had that added pressure on his shoulders. His work with Brees, Colsten and the other offensive personnel confirms what everyone in the league suspected -- Payton is the next great offensive mind. The Saints will likely finish at 10-6. That is mind-blowing!
Who do I go with? It's gotta be Sean Payton.
For the record, I'm torn between Schottenheimer, Payton, Fisher and Mangini.
Schottenheimer - Marty has a lot more to work with than the other three finalists on my personal list, but nevertheless, the Chargers are a wrecking machine on both sides of the ball, and they are doing it behind a QB who is starting for the first time. Very impressive with only two losses. But the man does have the obvious advantage of coaching the best player in the sport along with a host of great run-stuffers.
Fisher - Tennessee's talent level is BRUTALLY bad. You look up and down their roster and you see players with less than 3 years of experience, yet they have only been blown out in three of their twelve games. This might be Fisher's best coaching job yet. If the Titans let him walk, they are insane. Still, the Titans are only 5-7, and Fisher has no shot unless his team has a winning record.
Mangini - I am frankly amazed that the J-E-T-S are 7-5. Amazed. I pegged them as the worst team in the league entering this campaign. I figured they would finish the season with three wins. Pennington is steady, the receivers are playing very well, and Mangini found a way to effectively utilize the "3-headed-RB monster" that they had for most of the season, even though none of the three backs are very special players. On defense, the Jets have had trouble stopping the run all year long, but they have steadily improved. DT Dwayne Robertson is finally playing up to his potential, and 2nd-year FS Kerry Rhodes is playing at a Pro Bowl level, and you have to think it's because of Mangini's defensive tutelage.
Payton - Another team the prognosticators had winning about four games, especially in a division that looked to be awfully difficult on paper. People wondered how Bush and McAllister would coexist, but they have each managed to find success and get plenty of touches. Post-Katrina New Orleans residents needed something to uplift them, and Payton had that added pressure on his shoulders. His work with Brees, Colsten and the other offensive personnel confirms what everyone in the league suspected -- Payton is the next great offensive mind. The Saints will likely finish at 10-6. That is mind-blowing!
Who do I go with? It's gotta be Sean Payton.
