Meanwhile, some people are updating resumes........

The end of the NFL's regular season also sees some more blood-letting, as in, coaches being dismissed, with only one vacancy reportedly about to be filled. It's just a question, the media says, of when, not if. We'll get to that shortly.

Indianapolis, finishing last in the AFC South after Jacksonville's worst-to-first finish, fired head coach Chuck Pagano after 6 seasons, despite the Colts winning their season finale over Houston. The Colts have fallen on hard times the last three seasons, so of course a change needed to be made. I shan't be surprised if overtures are made to former QB Peyton Manning, still a beloved fan favorite in Indianapolis despite his unceremonius exit a few years back, to give up his other gig as a Nationwide insurance pitchman and try to turn the team's fortunes around. At least, if this happens, we wouldn't have to suffer with another series of insanely stupid ads like we've seen this season, in which the ad agency went out of its way to embarrass country singer Brad Paisley.

In the NFC North, Chicago said good-bye to John Fox after 3 seasons and diminishing returns. Whatever magic Fox had at Carolina had all but completely dissipated by the time he left Denver. Detroit dismissed Jim Caldwell in a clear case of "what have you done for us lately?". The Lions lost out on both the division and the playoffs as they were steamrolled by the resurgent Minnesota Vikings.

Reportedly, both the Lions & Colts are looking at talking to Patriots assistants Matt Patricia, an RPI graduate, and Josh McDaniels, who flamed out the last time he left New England.

The biggest story, however, is in Oakland, where the Davis family is thinking of reuniting with current ESPN analyst/beer salesman Jon Gruden. Gruden's last coaching job was in Tampa Bay in 2008. Since then, he's reinvented himself as a broadcaster, and has dodged rumors of returning to coaching in recent times. The Monday Night Football gig, of course, led to his endorsement deal with Corona beer. I believe Gruden is working one of today's bowl games. so the issue will be addressed, if that's the case. To make room, Jack Del Rio was sacked, despite leading the Raiders to the playoffs after the 2016 season. Gruden's brother, Jay, currently is the head man with the Washington Trumpets.

There may be more before we get to the Super Bowl. One coach who isn't going anywhere---yet---is Jests coach Todd "Salad" Bowles, who instead was given a 2 year extension, and, we think, a supply of baby powder & shampoo, by owner Woody Johnson. Of course, a case of Tylenol was probably part of the deal, too (Johnson & Johnson took over Tylenol and its related brands a while back). Seems to me that Johnson was afraid Bowles would wind up with a division (Miami) or conference (Oakland, if they don't bring back Jon Gruden) rival. At this time next year, watch, the extension will be as worthless as a counterfeit penny.