Heads Are Rolling on Black Monday in NFL

29 Dec, 2014

Marc Trestman’s tumultuous two-year run as Chicago Bears head coach is over. FOX Sport Insider Alex Marvez reports Chicago fired Trestman two years after hiring the former Canadian Football League-championship winning coach.

In addition, the Bears have fired general manager Phil Emery, according to Marvez and other media reports.

Trestman, who guided the Montreal Alouettes to the Grey Cup title in 2009 and 2010, was supposed to breathe life into the Bears’ offense. Instead, the offense — especially quarterback Jay Cutler — regressed this season despite an abundance of talent.

It got so bad that Cutler was benched in favor of backup Jimmy Clausen for Week 16 against the Detroit Lions. Clausen suffered a concussion during the game, forcing Cutler back into action but it didn’t make much difference as the Bears lost 20-14.

The Bears had high hopes coming into this season with former Pro Bowlers Matt Forte at running back, Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall at wide receiver and Cutler at quarterback. But Trestman failed to take advantage of that talented core as the Bears struggled to find consistency.

Woody Johnson decided to completely clean house.

The New York Jets owner fired coach Rex Ryan and general manager John Idzik on Monday, one day after one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history.

With the Jets (4-12) failing to make the postseason for the fourth straight season, Johnson chose to start fresh with a new coach and GM. He met with Ryan and Idzik Monday morning after “extensive thought and reflection” and informed them they would not be returning.

“Getting the Jets back on track is my top priority,” Johnson said in a team statement, “and today’s decisions are important steps towards achieving our goals.”

Ryan was 50-52, including 4-2 in the postseason, in his six seasons with the Jets.

Idzik lasted just two seasons after replacing the fired Mike Tannenbaum in 2013. He was heavily criticized this year for questionable draft and free agency decisions.

Mike Smith was fired as the Atlanta Falcons’ coach Monday, one day after the end of his second straight losing season and a 34-3 rout by the Carolina Panthers before booing fans at the Georgia Dome.

The team scheduled a morning news conference.

Atlanta had a 66-46 regular-season record with Smith and won two NFC South titles. But this season ended at 6-10.

“Smitty’s contributions to our club, team and city over the last seven years are numerous,” Falcons owner Arthur Blank said in a statement released by the team. “His accomplishments on the field made him the most successful coach in the 49-year history of the Falcons, and we are grateful for the foundation he has laid for us for the future.”

Smith joined the Falcons with general manager Thomas Dimitroff in 2008. Quarterback Matt Ryan was the new management team’s first draft pick, and the three combined for instant success with five straight winning seasons.

Before Smith was hired, the Falcons never had back-to-back winning seasons. He immediately raised expectations with an 11-5 finish in his first season. The Falcons won 10 or more games in four seasons under Smith, including 13-3 finishes in 2010 and 2012. Smith reached 50 wins in only 71 games, the third-fastest pace since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.

Smith, however, had a 1-4 record in the playoffs. Following a trip to the NFC championship game in 2012, the Falcons have fallen to 10-22 the last two seasons.

AP Fox Sports 

Image Chicago Bears Twitter 

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