2010 NFL Season Continues To Amaze

So far this NFL season nothing has gone as anyone really thought it would. The NFC is a complete mess, most teams have either 4 or 5 wins and the 'powerhouse' teams have yet to live up to their name(Saints, Vikings, Packers and Cowboys). The AFC is very deep and competitive with several teams still trying to show they are the team to beat. People are already wanting some coaching changes to be made in several teams. Its been such a fascinating season so far.

First off I want to blog about the state that the Vikings are in right now. They are currently 2-5 on the season with wins over the Cowboys(1-6) and Lions(2-5). Not really any marquee wins there. The Vikings were a bad throw away from playing in the Superbowl last year(thanks again Favre) and returned most of the pieces of their very talented team. It was easy to think that the Vikings would contend again in the NFL...so what happened? Why are they so bad?

Well for starters Brett Favre has not played all that well. It doesn't help the 41 year old that his star wide receiver still has yet to play this year because of a hip injury. But that one injury shouldn't cause for all this mayhem. Favre's ankle clearly is not in that good of shape, his mobility is pretty bad and to make things even worse, his offensive line doesn't protect him very much at all, resulting in hm getting knocked down a lot.

Favre isn't the only problem though, the Vikings defense has been pretty bad. Last year their defensive line was one of the best in the league, they had some solid linebackers and when their secondary was healthy it was pretty good too. So far this year their defensive line has been awful, there really isn't another way to put it. They have dropped the ball and sucked it up.

However, I think one of the biggest problems for the Vikings is related to their coaching staff and how they are not working well together. Head coach Brad Childress has lost his locker room, they don't respect him or even like him at this point. Childress has handled things pretty poorly in Minnesota. He again waited till the very end to get Brett Favre to show up, he missed the entire offseason. He didn't have time to get back into shape, didn't have time to work with his teammates and get used to not having Sydney Rice to throw to. Coach Childress was perfectly fine waiting on Brett Favre to show up, he had no real back up plan if Favre didn't show up. Tavaris Jackson is the back up QB and is not good enough to lead the Vikings to a Superbowl, looks like Favre isn't good enough this year either. I highly doubt that Favre will play next season, or that the Vikings will want him. Minnesota doesn't have a solid future QB and had a chance to draft one this year, and let him wait for Favre to retire. Vikings aren't going to be improving in the near future.

Then we get to the whole issue with Randy Moss. The Vikings picked up Moss from the Patriots a few weeks ago for a third round draft pick. Moss played three games I think, all of which were losses, and then was put on waivers, meaning the Vikings don't want him and another team can pick him up.

Moss has always been a diva. He is very outspoken, quits on plays and often doesn't try his hardest. He is still an elite receiver and will be in the hall of fame one day. But to get rid of him after 3 games? That is ridiculous! Especially that you gave up a third round pick, those picks may not strike people as amazing picks, but very solid players come out of the third round, its not a pick you just give away and that is what the Vikings did.

To make things even more interesting, it looks like coach Childress released Moss on his own, he did not consult the owner or anyone else. Owner Ziggy Wolfe is pretty upset about this, and he has every right to be. A coach should never just cut an elite player because that player said some bad things about the team in a media interview. Childress should have consulted the owner, that is what Ziggy Wolfe wants to happen.

Given that the Vikings have two wins, an aging team that had high expectations and one of the leagues highest payrolls, don't be surprised if Brad Childress is out of a job. I know I would fire him. He has lost his locker room, makes bad playcalls, and makes bad player choices.

A few other teams should be looking for new coaches after this season is over, not all of these coaches will be fired I am sure, but a few NEED changes.

Dallas Cowboys - The Cowboys always have huge expectations, they attract a lot of media and owner Jerry Jones is really outspoken and wants people to think about the Cowboys all the time. This is not good, because every little mistake and every loss gets blown out of proportion. The Cowboys have one win so far this year and six losses. They have lost their starting QB Tony Romo with an injury, but that is not what the problem is. The problem is the Cowboys have quit on the year. They have no heart at all. This past Sunday they played the Jaguars, who are not that good of a team, especially in regards to throwing the ball. However, Jags QB David Garrard looked like a Pro Bowl QB last week, he threw 4 touchdowns and ran for another. The Cowboys defense is not hurt, they just quit. When a team quits on a season there is one person to blame. That is the head coach. Wade Phillips should be fired, he has had one of the best teams on paper for a few seasons, but yet has one playoff win to show for it. He doesn't have what it takes to coach in the NFL. If a team that is as talented as the Cowboys(they have a lot of pro bowl players) can only win one game after 7 games and quits on the season, its time for a change.

San Francisco 49ers - Entering this season the 49ers were clear favorites in the NFC west. Its a pretty poor division and it was a smart guess to think they would win it. So far they are 2-6 and seem to simply find ways to lose games. Coach Singletary is a good coach, but he may not be the right fit for the Niners. They have questions at QB, and their defense that was suppose to be strong has yet to show up. I don't see him getting fired, but a change may be needed in the Bay.

Denver Broncos - I know Josh McDaniels is only in his second season, but he seems to be a bit over his head. Since he has been head coach he has driven off their starting QB Jay Cutler and their star WR Brandon Marshal. Now Cutler isn't a great QB, but he was a first round draft pick a few years ago, you can't just get rid of him. The Broncos are in a tale spin after their 6-0 start last season. Since then they have won a total of 5 games. McDaniels drafted up to pick up overrated QB Tim Tebow, he may have drafted him to get him more time as head coach, simply to see if Tebow can emerge as a QB and save his job. I don't see it happening. He will probably keep his job, but he will be on thin ice next year, although I would fire him.

Cincinnati Bengals - The Bengals won the AFC north last year and seemed to be on the verge of breaking free. This season they have simply fallen apart. They have two wins so far and are already out of the playoffs. Head coach Marvin Lewis has been with the team 2003-2004 season, since then the Bengals have had high hopes and low results. A change is needed on a lot of levels, starting with the coach.

San Diego Chargers - If the Chargers miss the playoffs this year head coach Norv Turner will be fired. The Chargers always start seasons slow, but seem to recover to make it to the playoffs. This year I'm worried it won't happen. They lead the NFL in offense and defense yet have a record of 3-5. Special teams and penalties are killing the Chargers. I've always thought the Chargers would play better when Norv Turner was fired, he can't coach in the NFL.