[b][color=red]Job in Jeopardy[/b][/color]
[b]Brad Barber - Lions[/b]
No more excuses in Detroit. Ownership has made it very apparent that they either expect wins in the final two games against the Chiefs and Packers, or that the Lions make the playoffs (which essentially means winning the division). Looking at the state of Kansas City and Green Bay, it's achievable, but any slip up will cost GM Barber his job with the organization.
[b][color=red]On the Hot Seat[/b][/color]
[img]http://smashmouth-football.net/files/images/icons/Giants.gif[/img] [b]Romeo Mendez - New York Giants[/b]
It seems like it was just yesterday that we were talking about the New York Giants being Super Bowl contenders. Just goes to prove that nothing is a given in the SFL. After a bad start, GM Mendez held a fire sale on veterans. Looks like he plans to re-tool for 2008 in the hopes of saving his position with the team.
[img]http://smashmouth-football.net/files/images/icons/Steelers.gif[/img] [b]Tim Miller - Pittsburgh Steelers[/b]
This likely does not come as a surprise to anyone, but the Vince Young-led Pittsburgh Steelers failed to perform this season. Ironically, a change was finally made and the Steelers won a couple of late games, but ownership says it's "too little, too late". They expect better in 2008 or will look elsewhere.
[b][color=red]In Jeopardy[/b][/color]
[img]http://smashmouth-football.net/files/images/icons/Browns.gif[/img] [b]Tom Collins - Cleveland Browns[/b]
While it's unlikely the Browns are back on the hot seat next year, a late season collapse and lack of postseason play will surely send Browns ownership into a right tizzy -- they're used to a high level of play in this organization and demand it year in and year out.
[img]http://smashmouth-football.net/files/images/icons/Seahawks.gif[/img] [b]Rock Hewko - Seattle Seahawks[/b]
It would take a near-on miracle of the Seahawks to end up back on the hot seat next season. First, multiple NFC North teams would have to end 9-7. Second, Seattle would have to lose their last two games (against Baltimore and Atlanta). Third, the numbers would STILL have to bounce away from them. It's possible, but I don't see it happening.
[img]http://smashmouth-football.net/files/images/icons/Ravens.gif[/img] [b]Norbert Huszti - Baltimore Ravens[/b]
Things looked good early in the year for GM Huszti who has fallen from grace with Baltimore ownership, claiming that he rode "coattails" to the organization's first Super Bowl in 2003. He's drafted well over the years, but eight straight losses will likely place him on the hot seat unless he can beat both Seattle and Pittsburgh to close out the season.
[img]http://smashmouth-football.net/files/images/icons/Bears.gif[/img] [b]Brent Lachapelle - Chicago Bears[/b]
Things did not look good early in the year, especially after a severe concussion knocked out young QB Alex Smith for the entire season. The Bears have persevered though and have won four of their last six. One more win ought to satiate the critics and with games left against an injured Green Bay and a New Orleans Saints team that will have likely clinched their playoff seed in week 17, I'd like to imagine they reach six wins.
[img]http://smashmouth-football.net/files/images/icons/Bills.gif[/img] [b]Brandon Lindgren - Buffalo Bills[/b]
Brandon Lindgren finds himself on this list, but I don't think many people actually envision a scenario in which he and the Buffalo Bills are back on the hot seat next season. A playoff birth or winning out prevents any drastic action and the team is currently sitting in a good spot with easy games against the Giants and Eagles left on the schedule.
[img]http://smashmouth-football.net/files/images/icons/Broncos.gif[/img] [b]Olivier Ratajczak - Denver Broncos[/b]
Denver made the big move for Ben Roethlisberger this last offseason and it has failed to pay dividends. Ownership has made themselves quite clear. Win out, or next year you're on the hot seat. If I'm GM Ratajczak, I'm a bit nervous. Denver plays at San Diego (a hot and up and coming team) and against Minnesota in Daunte Culpepper's first game back with a potential playoff birth on the line.
[img]http://smashmouth-football.net/files/images/icons/Buccaneers.gif[/img] [b]Bill Ryan - Tampa Bay Buccaneers[/b]
GM Ryan was the receiver of a lot of criticism after his decision to pick Joe Thomas at the top of last year's draft, passing on Calvin Johnson, but it was a bold move that said "I'm doing it my way." What's even more impressive is that if Tampa Bay can finish out the season with a pair of wins against San Francisco and Carolina (whom they have already beat), ownership will likely make sure he has a couple more years to follow-through on promises.
[b][color=green]Safe for Now[/b][/color]
[img]http://smashmouth-football.net/files/images/icons/Titans.gif[/img] [b]Gary Cohen - Tennessee Titans[/b]
There were a couple points this season where I wasn't sure. Tennessee fiddled with mediocrity for a large part of the season, then got hot and made sure their GM wouldn't be fired. However, the Drew Bledsoe injury (and pending retirement) does raise some questions that GM Cohen is going to have address immediately.
[img]http://smashmouth-football.net/files/images/icons/Texans.gif[/img] [b]Wade Pearce - Houston Texans[/b]
Rumors are that GM Wade Pearce is buying quarterback Brian Griese a mansion in Houston. Also something was said about a ferrari. And there is even a conspiracy about a mail-order Lithuanian bride. Truth be told, the Texans should give Griese whatever he wants, because his return to Houston has made them relevant again.
[b][color=green]Contract Extended 2+ Years[/b][/color]
[img]http://smashmouth-football.net/files/images/icons/Cowboys.gif[/img] [b]William Cook - Dallas Cowboys[/b]
It's about damn time. After seasons of suffering verbal abuse from divisional rival Bryan Mellon and the Washington Redskins, the Dallas Cowboys have answered the call and lead the league at a stunning record of 12-2. When asked about what a potential Super Bowl birth means, GM Cook stated, "It means it'll be time to move on and leave GM Mellon in ancient history." There have been quiet whisperings of a secret meeting between Lions ownership and GM Cook.
