For 20 NFL teams today, Monday December 31, 2012, is the first day to try and figure out what went wrong. It is Black Monday for NFL head Coaches and General Mangers who managed and coached underperforming teams. Some of the moves have been a long time coming, some we suspected were coming, and before the day is done there will likely be a surprise or two.
Here is what we know so far:
The Cleveland Browns have fired Head Coach Pat Shurmur and General Manager Tom Heckert. This follows the mid season ousting of President Mike Holmgren and we all know the Browns have new ownership and that almost always means regime change.
The New York Jets have fired GM Mike Tannenbaum, but Head Coach Rex Ryan will remain. The Jets are a total and complete mess. Tannenbaum has not done a great job of securing talent for his team and that is why he is gone. It seems a little bit odd that Ryan will remain, but giving the lack of talent on his roster the Jets woes may not be entirely his fault.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have fired GM Gene Smith. On teams that go 2-14 there are no sacred cows. The Jags need a new direction, and they also have a new owner. Not to mention the second pick in the 2013 NFL draft. There are lots of rumors about this team bringing in QB Tim Tebow and while that might not translate to success on the field it will surely help ticket sales.
The Kansas City Chiefs have fired Head Coach Romeo Crennel. Again not a big shocker as teams that go 2-14 obliviously needed to be shaken up. We are awaiting word on the fate of GM Scott Pioli.
In a move we saw coming for weeks now the Philadelphia Eagles have fired Head Coach Andy Reid. After a very disappointing season in Philly it became obvious that this team needed a new direction. Reid served in Philly for 14 years earning the team one trip to the Super Bowl.
Adam Schefter is reporting that the San Diego Chargers have fired Head Coach Norv Turner and GM AJ Smith. Which brings the Black Monday total to four head coaches and four GM’s fired thus far.
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