Posted on
10/25/2007 6:53:51 PM
NFL Betting Futures – Coaches On the Hot Seat
By Tim Furious
Last football betting season, the NFL saw six new head coaches take over the helm during the offseason. This year, seven guys are already on the hot seat, and we haven’t even reached the halfway point of the season! Join us in our NFL futures section and bid on which signal-caller you think will be hitting the unemployment line by the turn of the century.
7. Marvin Lewis – Cincinnati Bengals (2-4)
Marvin has bought himself some time because he turned around the Bengals from a loser to a winner virtually overnight. But now they’ve gone from a winner to a loser almost as fast. They Bengals have been to the playoffs just once, and lost in 2005 to the Steelers. He posted an 11-5 record that year, but every other season has been a mediocre 8-8. This year looks like it will be his worst ever.
For as much talent as Cincinnati has, Lewis has only been able to push these guys over the hump once. The ownership loves him, but if Lewis posts two losing seasons back-to-back, he will be begging for another chance at head coach somewhere else.
Next game: Pittsburgh (-1) vs. Cincinnati
6. Eric Mangini – New York Jets (1-6)
The news that Mangini is starting Chad Pennington again this week spawned this article. What could he possibly be thinking? Either Kellen Clemens is atrocious (which he isn’t) or Mangini is a true blooded, American idiot. Perhaps the worst thing that Mangini has done, other than betray the Jets fans and betting faithful, was bite the hand that fed him life in the NFL. If it wasn’t for Bilichek, Mangini wouldn’t have a job. What a scumbag.
Next game: Buffalo vs. NYJ (-3)
5. Brian Billick – Baltimore Ravens (4-3)
Billick will never lose his job in Baltimore with a winning record, but after a devastating playoff loss last season and an unthinkable loss to a feisty Buffalo Bills team last Sunday, Billick could find himself in the doghouse. Making matters worse is Billick getting lambasted in the media by Ray Lewis for not unleashing Willis McGahee against his former team.
The defense is aging, but still playing at an elite level. They rank third in the league with only 268.0 yards against per game and are ninth in average points against with 17.0. But their offense is 24th in the league with only 17.7 per game and has absolute zero finish in the red-zone. Billick will find himself on the hot seat if the Ravens fail to make the playoffs this year, which is a distinct possibility.
Next game: BYE WEEK
4. Bobby Petrino – Atlanta Falcons (1-6)
Petrino’s debut as a head coach has been an utter disaster. He refuses to let give Jerious Norwood the start over the aging and weary Warrick Dunn and he just released a defensive lineman that had 21 tackles and 5.5 sacks this year for no apparent reason.
Not to mention that DeAngelo Hall has blasted him twice this year in the media, and was heavily criticized by Alge Crumpler. Have you ever heard of Crumpler voicing complaint? First year or not, Petrino’s debut as a head coach has been a disaster. And this is one mishap you can not pin on Michael Vick.
Next game: BYE WEEK
3. Lovie Smith – Chicago Bears (3-4)
My favorite part about the Bears 97-yard, game-winning drive last week was not that Brian Griese was at the helm. My favorite part is that Lovie Smith had nothing to do with it. With the headset short-circuiting, Griese had to make his own calls. The Bears are off to a yo-yo start this year and are experiencing the worst Superbowl hangover in recent memory. Chicago is not known for its patience, and Lovie’s head could be on a skewer if the Packers win this division.
Next game: Detroit vs. Chicago (-4.5)
2. Scott Linehan – St. Louis Rams (0-7)
Nobody expected too much out of the Rams in 2007, but zero wins with half the season almost upon us is ridiculous. Granted, he has had to deal with a massive amount of injuries, but he has still had Torry Holt. They’ve been a betting man’s best friend by going 1-6 ATS. Linehan will get another shot next year, unless the Rams go winless.
If you are smart enough to bet on this gravy train before it leaves town in our NFL futures you might find yourself striking gold, while Linehan strikes out. The Rams have the worst offense in the league, which is no good for a team with so many offensive weapons and a coach who built his reputation as an offensive coordinator.
Next game: Cleveland (-3) vs. St. Louis
1. Cam Cameron – Miami Dolphins (0-7)
If you have seen a Dolphins game this year, you know how bad they are. Cameron looks like a lost puppy on the sidelines. Those sunglasses, which seem too small for his face anyways, do nothing to hide the fact that he has no business with the headset on his skull. Injuries or not, Cameron’s defense is the worst in the league and the quarterback situation has been a mess ever since he brought in Trent Green to replace Daunte Culpepper.
Obviously, this is Nick Saban’s mess, but Cameron has done little to nothing to tidy things up. The Dolphins betting faithful should hope that Dom Capers gets a promotion this summer or the Fins are going to remain dead in the water.
Next game: New York Giant (-9.5) vs. Miami
> > Check Week 8 Odds Here
The 2007 NFL betting season is here in full force! If you like to bet on the NFL, you are in the best possible place for online betting. The BetUS sportsbook has NFL odds up on a ton of futures, and you will also find NFL lines up for early games as well. Join BetUS today and we'll help guide you right through to Super Bowl XLII and beyond!