Don't Sit There! That's the Hot Seat! 2006 NFL Hot Seat Candidates

Ah yes, the proverbial hot seat. As in every season, the inevitable fact is that someone is going to get fired for their team's lack of success.

As we approach the mid point of the season, here's a look at which coaches could (or should) be on their way out at the end of the season - maybe before.

Dennis Green - Green has not been able to duplicate his successes in Minnesota. In his tenure with the Vikings, he had one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL, that hasn't been the case in Arizona. Looking at his old Vikings team and his current team the talent base is not much different. Arizona would seem to have far too many offensive weapons to be struggling like they are, and offense is supposed to be Green's forte. The loss against the Bears seems to have really dampened the spirits of the Cardinals, as they looked pathetic against the Raiders. I don't see them getting better soon, and that will probably spell the end of the Dennis Green era.

Matt Millen - I know he is not a coach, but how has Millen kept his job for so long? It can be argued that the Detroit Lions are actually in worse shape now than when he joined the team. The team has made horrible draft decisions, still has no direction, no identity, and keeps frequently changing head coaches. Millen was a good broadcaster, and after this season he should return to the booth.

Joe Gibbs - It's hard to imagine this hall of fame coach being on the hot seat, but the truth of the matter is, that, regardless of all the money the Redskins have thrown at free agents, the team has not improved. It's very possible that Gibbs is out of touch with today's player, and can't relate. Whatever the reason, he is simply not getting the job done.

Bill Parcells - I can't imagine Jerry Jones firing Bill Parcells after this season, unless the Cowboys totally implode, but maybe he should. Parcells has been in Dallas four seasons and has yet to restore the Cowboys winning culture. As with Gibbs, he may be out of touch with today's player, but the bottom line is that he is not returning on the promise of making the Cowboys playoff contenders. For the first time, I believe this truly may be Parcells' last season, but not because he'll be fired, he's much too proud for that, he'll retire first.

Art Shell - I know it's his (second) first season but Al Davis has never been a fan of patience. The Raiders have not shown any improvement this season; actually they may have taken a few steps backwards. Now that they've won their first game, it'll be interesting to see if that will be the springboard towards getting more wins. If not, the Art Shell reunion may be over.

Romeo Crennel - The Browns have shown no improvement under the watchful eye of Crennel. This week he fired offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon, and it's been reported that Crennel made the move in part to save his own job, as the executives had grown weary of Carthon's play calling. It'll be interesting to see if the Browns improve during the second half of the season, if not, it's possible Crennel will be a defensive coordinator elsewhere next season.

Jeff Fisher - Fisher is one of the longest tenured coaches in the league right now, but that may come to an end if the Titans don't improve - quickly. Yes, the salary cap has caused issues in Tennessee, but this business is about winning, and Fisher hasn't produced many wins as of late. Throw in his handling of Albert Haynesworth, who should have been suspended by the team for kicking his teammate in the chest, and that may have been the straw that broke the camel's back.

Jon Gruden - This may be a long shot, because the Buccaneers are starting to show some life. But Chucky is not winning like he used to, and with the age of this team, a rebuilding process may be coming very soon. Gruden is a good coach, so if he gets fired, or leaves the Buccaneers, he'll find another head coaching position soon.

Brian Billick - Billick is another Vikings alumnus that has failed in bringing an explosive offense to Baltimore. With the Ravens defense, an adequate offense is all that is needed, but for the most part, the offense has been inept. Maybe things will change now that Billick will be handling the play calling. It needs to, winning a championship will only carry you so far, and if the Ravens continue to struggle, Billick may be out of a job.