Top NFL Head Coaching Candidates

Former Super Bowl winner John Gruden will reportedly interview for head coaching vacancies around the NFL. (Getty Images)

With seven NFL head coaching vacancies now available, it is time to examine the possible replacement candidates. My top five will be listed first and will be followed by five additional possibilities after.

1. Jon Gruden, former Oakland Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach

Whenever you have the opportunity to get a Super Bowl-winning coach, it’s definitely worth taking a shot. Gruden is reportedly interested in coaching again and willing to listen and/or interview for openings. He will likely want to come into a situation with pieces already in place to work with. Gruden know the game inside and out and would be a great hire for anyone who is able to get him. He is almost certainly going to return to coaching. It is just a matter of when and where.

Possible Landing Spots: San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears

2. Bruce Arians, Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator/interim head coach

Arians did an excellent job filling in as the Colts interim head coach during Chuck Pagano's absence. He guided the Colts to a 9-3 record and an unexpected playoff berth. Along with his head coaching duties, Arians continued to run the offense and played an important role in the development of rookie quarterback Andrew Luck. He was already highly regarded around the league for his offensive prowess, but now he has proven he can handle the responsibility of being a head coach as well.

Possible Landing Spots: San Diego Chargers, Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills

3. Chip Kelly, University of Oregon head coach

Kelly has has turned Oregon into perennial national contender in his four seasons at the helm. He has created an offensive juggernaut that is difficult for any collegiate team to shut down. Kelly is considered to be a hot commodity around the NFL. Many people think his creativity will transfer will to the pros. With the NCAA breathing down his neck and potential sanctions looming, the time for Kelly to go may be now. He might as well take the Pete Carroll approach and bail ship while he can.

Possible Landing Spots: Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs

4. Andy Reid, former Philadelphia Eagles head coach

Yes, Andy Reid did just get fired from his job as Eagles head coach, but his time in Philadelphia was fairly impressive. He boasts a 129-88-1 record in his career, and he guided the Eagles to the playoffs in nine of his 13 seasons, including one Super Bowl appearance. There are many NFL owners who would love to have a man like that coaching their team. Reid is still only 54 and one of the most well-respected coaches around the league. He should at least get interviews for many of the head coaching vacancies.

Possible Landing Spots: San Diego Chargers, Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns

5. Mike McCoy, Denver Broncos offensive coordinator

McCoy is one of the hottest names around the league. Given the Broncos’ offensive success this season and last, it should come as no surprise. McCoy built an entire offensive scheme around Tim Tebow as his quarterback last season. Then, he completely revamped the offense with an entirely different system to fit Peyton Manning for this season. At just 40 years old, McCoy fits the mold of the young mind team's love to hire. With the adaptability and diligence to hard work he has already shown, it is just a matter of time before he gets a head coaching gig.

Possible Landing Spots: Chicago Bears, San Diego Chargers, Buffalo Bills

Five Additional Names to Keep an Eye On

• Perry Fewell, New York Giants defensive coordinator
• Greg Roman, San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator
• Bill O’Brien, Penn State University head coach
• Mike Zimmer, Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator
• Dirk Koetter, Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator

Colts Make Playoffs One Season After Going 2-14

Rookie quarterback Andrew Luck has helped lead the Colts turnaround from 2-14 to a playoff berth. (AP Photo)

Last season, the Indianapolis Colts went a league worst 2-14 and were compensated with the first pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. With highly acclaimed Andrew Luck in the draft, they made the difficult decision to cut ties with the face of the franchise, veteran quarterback Peyton Manning. Expectations were high for the young quarterback, but no one knew for sure how much the Colts could accomplish with all of the changes that took place during a turbulent offseason.

Having to fill the shoes of a legend like Peyton Manning is not an easy task to say the least. However, I am sure that Luck and this season's Colts exceeded whatever expectations people had for them this season. They have even managed to accomplish everything without their head coach on the sidelines for the majority of the season. Coach Chuck Pagano has been undergoing treatment for leukemia.

The Colts entered Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs with much on the line. Luck took care of the first step late in the second quarter when he broke Cam Newton's single-season rookie passing record with a 23-yard pass to fellow rookie T.Y. Hilton. Luck has now thrown for 4,183 yards this season, but my guess is he didn't even realize it because he was focused on what he does best, winning football games.

The Colts needed him to do exactly that late in the fourth quarter with the game on the line. Luck took care of business. He drove down the field and completed a 7-yard touchdown pass to veteran wide receiver Reggie Wayne with 4:08 remaining in the game. The touchdown lifted the Colts to the win, 20-13. In doing so, Luck extended his own rookie record for fourth-quarter or overtime comebacks to seven.

The win improved the Colts record to 10-5 and clinched their spot in the playoffs. They join the 2008 Miami Dolphins as the only teams to win at least 10 games after losing 14 or more the previous season. The Colts have won four out of their last five games and currently hold the fifth seed in the AFC playoffs.

The Colts get to celebrate with Coach Pagano, who is expected to return to coaching on Monday. They will prepare to play an angry Houston Texans team in the regular season finale. The Texans had a chance to lock up home-field advantage in the playoffs, but lost today to the Minnesota Vikings. Instead of resting next week, they will be playing  to try and secure a first-round bye. The Colts will be playing under no such pressure. They are just happy to be winning once again and to be back in the playoffs.

Fans Cheering Cassel Getting Injured is Abombinable

Some fans of the Kansas City Chiefs cheered as their quarterback Matt Cassel lay on the ground at Arrowhead Stadium. (John Ringer)

I am as big of a sports fan as most anyone I know. I have to admit that there have been times were I have crossed the line morally when cheering for my teams. My love for a certain team has for instance caused to feel a sense of joy when a player on a team I dislike is injured or struggles. Let me be clear. That is wrong, and I shouldn't feel that way. However, as humans we are competitive by nature. This isn't an excuse. This is merely a factual statement about our depravity as human beings. We must do our best to overcome that to love another as we would want to be loved ourselves.

I know that I am not alone in my weakness. There have been well known instances where fans have openly cheered an injury or misfortune of an opposing player. A famous example would be when Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin lay motionless on the field in Philadelphia in 1999. Eagles fans cheered the whole time. The then Mayor of Philadelphia Edward Rendell described it as "in terms of bad taste was as bad as it gets."

Sadly fans took it one step further Sunday. Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs, has long been considered one of the NFL's most difficult venues to play in because of the passion and loudness of the home crowd. That home crowd turned against one of its own Sunday. Quarterback Matt Cassel has never been endeared by Kansas City sports fans. They booed him when he threw out the first pitch at the MLB All-Star Game in July.

Sunday, the fans found a new way to express their disdain for Cassel. In the game, the quarterback stepped back in the pocket to throw. He got leveled by Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Haloti Ngata. As Cassel lay motionless on the ground, many Chiefs fans began to loudly cheer and clap. They were openly happy that their own player was seriously injured on the football field.

This I simply cannot comprehend. I was born a New York Yankees fan. Few Yankees players have frustrated me as much as A.J. Burnett did. His inconsistency was a thorn in the side of the team for the duration of his stint. However, I never doubted the effort he gave. I always cheered for him to pitch well. After all, he was a Yankee. The Yankees are my team to cheer for. That means he is my player to support as well.

This season Burnett had an excellent year for the Pittsburgh Pirates. I couldn't be happier for him. I know how much he wanted to put up those kind of numbers in the Bronx. His game and temperament simply were not suited for life in the Big Apple. I hope he continues to succeed in Pittsburgh. I believe he is capable of helping to lead the Pirates to a playoff berth within the next few years.

Bringing this back to Cassel, as badly as Burnett played at times, I never hoped he would get hurt. It is so morally wrong for one to hope that another would get injured for one's one benefit. I loved how Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Winston stood up for his quarterback. If you haven't seen the video, you need to watch it.

One of the main points Winston made was that, "It's 100 percent sickening. I've never, ever -- and I've been in some rough times on some rough teams -- I've never been more embarrassed in my life to play football than that moment right there. Matt Cassel hasn't done anything to you people."

Winston was embarrassed to play the sport he loved. I am embarrassed as a fellow sports fan that this could happen. The problem is that this is a morally deeper problem than simply sports. The incident manifested itself in sports, but sports is not in and of itself the root cause for it. Sports is merely the avenue through which it was brought to life.

President Barack Obama is strongly liked and disliked by many people. If he were to be assassinated, I believe that there would be people that would be openly pleased by this. In fact, I don't just believe it from prior experience, but I can almost certainly guarantee it. This is truly tragic. We have been so morally corrupted as human beings. We look at our own interests before the well being of others in so many ways.

My plea to you is this: Don't applaud the misfortunes of others and don't allow others to do so unprovoked. This is not morally accepted behavior. I know that as humans we are not perfect, but that does not mean we cannot try to do what is right. Matt Cassel deserves to receive thousands of apologies from those who cheered for his injury. I must seek to do the same in my life. I have to live to a higher moral standard and help those around me to do the same.

Where Should Peyton Manning Play Next Season?

I have avoided blogging about the drama surrounding Peyton Manning from the beginning. I wanted to wait until Manning and Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay made their final decisions. Reports have come out this evening that the two have decided to split ways with the official announcement coming at a press conference tomorrow. I do think that Irsay handled the process poorly and ultimately made the wrong decision, but it is his money to spend not mine. That being the case, I finally feel safe giving my opinion on the best three places for Peyton Manning to play next season, with number one being the best choice.

3. Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins are the media favorite. After all, it is South Beach, hot weather, and most likely the biggest contract offer. The Dolphins do need a quarterback and have some talent on offense. The problem is that the talent has yet to prove itself. Also, the Dolphins brought in a coaching staff that runs a west coast offense, something Manning has no familiarity with. Miami could be attractive, but I think Manning will be smart enough to know he can do better.

2. Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs are an intriguing option. They are only one season removed from making the playoffs and play in a weak division. The Chiefs have a solid defense and plenty of young-talented offensive targets for Manning, including wide receiver Dwayne Bowe and running back Jamaal Charles. They are really only two knocks on the Chiefs. First, Manning is leery about playing in a cold weather city. Kansas City isn't the coldest, but it will be something he will consider. Second, the offensive line has been a weakness. That would need to be fixed, as the last thing you want is Manning taking shots. Overall, the Chiefs are a great option. Does this remind anyone of Joe Montana?

1. Arizona Cardinals

Does anyone remember veteran quarterback Kurt Warner nearly leading the Cardinals to a Super Bowl win over the Pittsburgh Steelers a few seasons ago. Well the team has improved in some areas since then, but the one gaping hole is at the quarterback position. If a healthy Manning was able to step in and fill that void, I believe this team would immediately become a Super Bowl contender. Sure the defense isn't the best, but neither was the Colts when Manning was playing. He would have some great offensive weapons to work with, especially Larry Fitzgerald. Just like Kansas City, the Cardinals' offensive line would need some upgrades to protect Manning. The Cardinals do have some other options at quarterback, but a chance to return to the Super Bowl should be too good to pass up.

NFL Week 13 Preview & Predictions (Abbreviated Form)

5. Kansas City Chiefs (4-7) @ Chicago Bears (7-4) - 1:00 PM EST, CBS

Chiefs X-Factor: Quarterback Kyle Orton - The Chiefs may turn to the veteran Orton after Tyler Palko struggled last week throwing three interceptions. Orton, the longtime Bears play-caller, might face his old team on Sunday. He will look to keep his team's slim playoff hopes alive in the AFC West.

Bears X- Factor: Quarterback Caleb Hanie - Last week, the Bears were forced to turn to a backup quarterback of their own. Following the injury to Jay Cutler, the Bears called on Caleb Hanie. Hanie threw two touchdown passes, but ultimately threw three interceptions, which cost the Bears the game. If the Bears want to stay in the NFC Wild Card race, they need Hanie to limit his mistakes.

Prediction: Bears 23 Chiefs 16

4. Green Bay Packers (11-0) @ New York Giants (6-5) - 4:15 PM EST, FOX

Packers X-Factor: Running backs Ryan Grant and James Starks - The Packers obviously haven't had to run the ball much with quarterback Aaron Rodgers picking apart opposing defenses for a total of 33 touchdowns this season. However, great defenses are eventually going to figure out how to slow him down. The question becomes will they have any running game to turn to if this happens.

Giants X-Factor: Head coach Tom Coughlin - Coughlin needs to get his team's attention, and he needs to do it now. The media is blowing the Giants three-game losing streak into another giant meltdown to miss the playoffs. If something doesn't change with this football team soon, the media is going to be right.

Prediction: Packers 38 Giants 17

3. Atlanta Falcons (7-4) @ Houston Texans (8-3) - 1:00 PM EST, FOX

Falcons X-Factor: Wide receiver Roddy White - Quarterback Matt Ryan has been looking to his favorite target, White, a lot over the past two weeks. White has 17 receptions, 267 yards, and one touchdown in those games. White will need to have another big game as the Falcons' offense faces off against a tough Texans' defense.

Texans X-Factor: Running back Arian Foster - The Texans need Foster to step up big, following yet another injury at quarterback. Both Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart are out for at least the regular season, so the Texans had to turn to rookie T.J. Yates. Yates has shown signs of being a good game manager, but doesn't seem ready to lead his team to victory in flashy fashion. It is up to Foster to help alleviate some of that pressure. A big running game will help Yates out a lot.

Prediction: Texans 24 Falcons 23

2. Cincinnati Bengals (7-4) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3) - 1:00 PM EST, CBS

Bengals X-Factor: Quarterback Andy Dalton - Rookie Andy Dalton has quickly learned how dominant the Steelers and Ravens defenses are. He threw a combined five interceptions in his first matchup against both teams. This week, he gets a rematch against the Steelers, and this time it is at Hines Field. Dalton has to be aware because the Steelers defense that will be coming after him.

Steelers X-Factor: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger - The Steelers defense dominated the Kansas City Chiefs last week, but Big Ben did little with it. You can blame the wind all you want, but I watched the game. Ben played poorly. He seems to struggle against bad teams. The Bengals will be pumped and seeking revenge. Big Ben better respond better in this one.

Prediction: Steelers 20 Bengals 17

1. Detroit Lions (7-4) @ New Orleans Saints (7-3) - 8:20 PM EST, NBC

Lions X-Factor: Quarterback Matthew Stafford - With his team's running backs and defense ailing, Stafford is going to have to play very well for his team to stand a chance. In order to do this, he needs to limit his mistakes. Over the past three weeks, he has thrown nine interceptions. That is simply too many.

Saints X-Factor: Quarterback Drew Brees - You might ask how Brees can be the X-Factor. He is a given to succeed. You would probably be right. But the Saints offense is so diversified, it is seemingly impossible to pick any one other player. Additionally, Brees has torched the Lions in the past. The Lions' secondary might be in trouble. They had so many injuries last week that wide receiver Rashied Davis had to come in and play safety. Look for Brees to have another monstrous game.

Prediction: Saints 42 Lions 21

Rivers' Late Fumble Treats Chiefs to a Halloween MNF Victory

Arrowhead Stadium was rocking for a Halloween divisional battle on Monday Night Football. The Kansas City Chiefs were playing host to their rival San Diego Chargers.

Kansas City controlled most of the 1st half and ended it with a 13-3. San Diego kicker Nick Novak scored all the points in the 3rd quarter, connecting on three field goals to bring his team within one point.

Chiefs running back Jackie Battle scored a touchdown to make it a 20-12 lead. Philip Rivers responded by driving down the field on a scoring drive that ended with a successful two point conversion to tie the game at 20-20.

After exchanging the ball several times, Rivers drove the Chargers to the 15 yard line with under a minute left in the game. Novak had already connected on four field goals, so the game appeared to be over. With 48 seconds left, however, Rivers snapped the ball and proceeded to fumble it. Chiefs linebacker Andy Studebaker jumped on it. We're headed to overtime.

Kansas City controlled most of overtime and finally won it on a 30 yard field goal by Ryan Succop. While this game will most likely be remembered by Norv Turner's foolish decision to not just take a knee and River's failure to complete a simple handoff, it should be remembered by the resurgence we are seeing from the Chiefs. They were outscored 89-10 in the first two games of the season and started 0-3. Since then, they have won four games in a row.

The Chiefs, Chargers, and Raiders now sit tied atop the AFC West, all with a 4-3 record. Next week the Chiefs face the winless Dolphins, the Chargers host the undefeated Packers, and the Raiders come off the bye to take on the Broncos.