GM Fired
Scott Gardiner - Detroit Lions
Scott entered the league into a very tough situation -- Detroit was in shambles with lots of talent in all the wrong places and he was in a division with the tough Minnesota Vikings and the surging Chicago Bears. It hasn't turned out well and Detroit has let him know of their intent to move forward. Scott's only opportunity to remain in Detroit is if the front office staff is unable to find someone willing to take the position.
Fighting For Thier Job
Tim Miller - Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh finds itself in a very interesting position, with two ways for Tim Miller to keep his job. The first is to win the division, even at 8-8 or 7-9. The latter is to get to 9 wins. Playoffs is the best option as he would get an extension, but things look pretty good with Pittsburgh the current leader in the division. If I know anything, Scott Gardiner may be rooting for the Steelers more than anyone right now.
On the Hot Seat in 2012
Anthony Cepparulo - San Diego Chargers
The Chargers seem far gone from their Super Bowl run a few years back. Since then the team has never really connected and even though they've had a couple of good seasons, being eliminated from the playoffs has sealed Anthony Cepparulo's fate. He's got to turn it around next season or he's looking to be the GM of another team.
William Cook - Dallas Cowboys
There are a couple situations that could play out here -- first off, Donovan McNabb was injured, so the Cowboys will invoke the "QB Injury" clause to keep their GM safe for next season, but doing so forces a playoff berth in 2012. The other option is to finish at .500 and merely just extended the contract. That would mean 9-7 or playoffs for William Cook next year, but the playoffs wouldn't be mandatory.
Justin Herr - Kansas City Chiefs
Chiefs fans are frustrated with their GM. He's constantly asking their advice and then does the exact opposite of what they say. That's led to dysfunction, a lack of direction and multiple losing records in Kansas City. It's put GM Justin Herr on the hot seat next season, and if I say so, deservedly so.
Fighting to Stay Off the Hot Seat
Peter Fenger - San Francisco 49ers
The GM save last year saved GM Peter Fenger and he's got at least one more season after this in San Francisco, but fans are getting impatient. A surprise San Francisco trip to the playoffs this year would get him off the hot seat completely, but that's looking less and less likely. It looks like improvement will once again be the name of the game in San Francisco.
Rock Hewko - Seattle Seahawks
We make jokes that Rock Hewko doesn't know he's on the hot seat -- but he definitely does. This season he's done just enough to extend his job and still has a chance to make the playoffs (albeit incredibly small). He looks to be in a similar situation to Peter Fenger in San Francisco, which could make for some interesting narratives in 2012.
Gary Hickman - Green Bay Packers
Green Bay will likely put Gary Hickman on the hot seat next season as well. If he were to surprisingly make the playoffs (also a small chance), he would be fine. Winning their last two games against the Bears and Lions would also likely be enough to satiate ownership.
Romeo Mendez - New York Giants
It shouldn't be a surprise that Romeo Mendez finds himself on the hot seat -- he spends more time talking crap about teams better than his than actually fixing the glaring issues on his roster. The Giants could still make the playoffs, however, and a 9-7 record (beating the Jets and Cowboys) would keep him off the hot seat as well. But it's not a done deal.
