Grading AFC Coaches for 2009

Cincinnati’s Marvin Lewis Gets Top Spot

Baltimore Ravens – John Harbaugh
In his second year as a head coach, Harbaugh has led the Ravens to the playoffs twice with Joe Flacco and Ray Rice as the backbone of his offence. He struggled with an aging defense and an 8-7-1 ATS record reflected how the oddsmakers overestimated the productivity of this defense. How he replenishes his defense over the off season is the only way to keep the Steelers off his back and pace the Bengals.

Grade: A-

Buffalo Bills – Dick Jauron/Perry Fewell
The Bills have missed the playoffs for the past ten years, making them one of the only teams to not make the post season this past decade. I wouldn’t blame a pretty stacked roster from Buffalo that included Terrell Owens, Fred Jackson, Marshawn Lynch and Lee Evans. The fact is that the coaching staff in Buffalo has been on a short leash and has been the fastest moving revolving door in the NFL. It’s time for big changes in Buffalo, but they’re dreaming if they think they can lure anybody with the pedigree of a guy like Shanahan or Cowher.

Grade: Fail

Cincinnati Bengals – Marvin Lewis
Nobody had less job security entering this season than Marvin Lewis. For six straight years since 2003, Lewis had just one winning season (11-5 SU in 2005) and zero playoff wins. Well the Bengals made a huge turnaround this season and Cedric Benson turned in a Pro Bowl worthy year. Kudos to the Bengals’ brass for keeping faith in Lewis and refusing to risk the continuity of their playbook by jettisoning what every NFL free picks expert saw as the captain of a sinking ship.

Grade: A+

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Cleveland Browns – Eric Mangini
You guys know how I feel about Eric Mangini. What’s more important is how Mike Holmgren feels about him. Strange thing is that a 10-6 ATS record and a four game winning streak to finish the season didn’t even remotely save Mangini’s job.

Grade: D-

Denver Broncos – Josh McDaniels
Nobody expected the Titans to make the playoffs at 0-6 SU, but the Broncos’ late season collapse after starting 6-0 SU and having one of the top-rated defenses in the league is going to bring McDaniels much scrutiny. They’ll get help with a top-15 draft pick courtesy of the Bears via the Cutler trade.

Grade: C+

Houston Texans – Gary Kubiak
His name was on the chopping block for a whole week and then the Texans stunningly made the playoffs. The demise of the Kubiak era in Houston was wildly over exaggerated.

Grade: B-

Indianapolis Colts – Jim Caldwell
Frankly, nobody on the planet knew that Jim Caldwell was the coach of the Colts until he yanked his starters to lose a shot at a perfect season in Week 16. Giving Caldwell credit for steering a team to 14-2 SU and 10-6 ATS record in his first year as a coach is like saying that True Lies was a good movie because of Tom Arnold.

Grade: B+

Jacksonville Jaguars – Jack Del Rio
Del Rio is beloved in Jacksonville, where he’s coached for seven seasons. The problems in Jacksonville have more to do with David Garrard, and fewer to do with Del Rio but his name will be melting on the hot seat if he can’t be productive in 2010. Probably helps that it would cast Jacksonville $15 million to buy him out…

Grade: D

Kansas City Chiefs – Todd Haley
Patience is the only way to make the Chiefs contenders again. GM Scott Pioli hade a few over reaching moves this season: signing Matt Cassel to a $63 million contract after a single productive year in his entire college and pro careers, bringing in Mike Vrabel, thinking that Chris Chambers was a real number-one guy and assuming that the success of the 2008 Arizona Cardinals was due to Haley and not Ken Wisenhunt.

Grade: D-

Miami Dolphins – Tony Sparano
The Dolphins were supposed to make “the leap” this year, but drastic changes to their offense and a switch at quarterback from one Chad to another, along with another season-ending injury to Ronnie Brown, failed to put the Dolphins in the playoffs. Still, striking quarterback gold with Chad Henne has put the Dolphins in a position to contend in a heated NFC East for the next five years.

Grade: B

New England Patriots – Bill Belichik
You live by the sword and you die by the sword. Belichik is immortal in New England, and another AFC East championship will certainly help but that infamous “4th and 2” call tested the unflappable genius of Uncle Bill. The loss of Wes Welker in the playoffs, and for a huge chunk of 2010, will put his back against the wall.

Grade: B-

New York Jets – Rex Ryan
Rookie head coach, rookie quarterback, a complete overhaul on defense and a playoff spot thanks to a 9-7 SU/ATS betting record. The only reason he loses some points is because he cried. Seriously, dude. This is football.

Grade: B

Oakland Raiders – Tom Cable
Tom Cable led a team that beat the Bengals, Eagles, Steelers and Broncos and beat up a couple ex-girlfriends and ex-assistant coaches too. How Cable avoided getting beat up in the media is beyond me. The Raiders are a disaster through and through but those big marquee victories that littered their win column will keep Davis convinced that a grimacing, woman hating, personnel punching, fatass like Cable is his guy. Cable isn’t the focus of concern for Raider Nation – it’s JaMarcus Russell. Here’s a hint, Al: cut your losses. Literally.

Grade: C

Pittsburgh Steelers – Mike Tomlin
Let it be a lesson that when you promise that your roster is going to “unleash hell” to the media, you’re putting more pressure on your own team in a negative way. Tomlin has a way with words, and his passion is undeniable, but 2009 was a humbling experience for the Super Bowl champion coach who has to learn to keep his mouth shut. You don’t motivate your players by putting them in the line of fire during a press conference. Save that talk for the locker room, coach.

Grade: C-

San Diego Chargers – Norv Turner
Why is it that every time I think “Wow! The Chargers look GREAT!”, and then the camera shot changes to a shot of Norv Turner holding a clipboard, my stomach begins to churn?

Grade: B+

Tennessee Titans – Jeff Fisher
Vince Young and Chris Johnson are the future of Tennessee. Finishing 8-8 SU and 6-10 ATS made them a betting disaster this season, but Fisher is safe. Still you can’t give a guy a pat on the back for starting the season with six straight losses and refusing to insert Young earlier.

Grade: D+