Three coaching hot seats

1. WADE PHILLIPS, COWBOYS

Let's see. The Cowboys haven't won a playoff game since the 1996 season, they're going into a new stadium in 2009, and Phillips' career playoff record is 0-4. And that includes last season's home loss to the Giants in the divisional round after posting an NFC-best 13-3 regular-season record.

2. MIKE NOLAN, 49ERS

Poor Mike is 16-32 in San Francisco, and his best quarterback is Shaun Hill. Eventually, Nolan and former No. 1 overall pick QB Alex Smith will have to quit feuding and win some games. Perhaps new offensive coordinator Mike Martz can get between them and make that happen.

3. LANE KIFFIN, RAIDERS

The seat in Oakland is always hot. Maybe if he times his exit just right, Kiffin can finally get that Gophers job.

RANKING THE NEW HEAD COACHING JOBS

1. MIKE SMITH, FALCONS (4-12)

He has two first-round draft picks in QB Matt Ryan and OT Sam Baker to mold. The Michael Vick storm has blown over. Pain-in-the-neck CB DeAngelo Hall is gone. And who wouldn't look good following a quitter like Bobby Petrino?

2. JIM ZORN, REDSKINS (9-7)

Replacing Joe Gibbs wouldn't be easy for anyone, let alone someone who went from position coach to inheriting most of Gibbs' staff. Gibbs, however, did leave a playoff team behind. Zorn also has a talented QB (Jason Campbell) who could flourish with some continuity on the offensive coaching staff.

3. JOHN HARBAUGH, RAVENS (5-11)

When taking over a new team, it's never good when the veteran QB (Steve McNair) and the future Hall of Fame left tackle (Jonathan Ogden) retire. There will be lumps to take with Kyle Boller, Troy Smith and rookie Joe Flacco battling at QB.

4. TONY SPARANO, DOLPHINS (1-15)

Being a rookie head coach working for Bill Parcells won't be easy. When Sparano speaks, Parcells' lips are sure to move. Also, Miami just lost its best player in DE Jason Taylor and has a three-headed QB situation that includes Josh McCown, John Beck and rookie Chad Henne.

OUR FAVORITE POSITION BATTLE

DONOVAN MCNABB, LEFT, VS. KEVIN KOLB

The job is McNabb's as long as he stays healthy and wins. But he has missed 15 games over the past three seasons, and he sat during a June minicamp because of tendinitis in his shoulder. Kolb, the team's top draft pick a year ago, is being groomed to replace McNabb. If he were to come in and play well, McNabb's days in Philly are over.

HONOR ROLL

MVP

Tony Romo, Cowboys QB

He's gotten better in each of his first two seasons as a starter and should take the biggest step of all this season. He needs to cut down on his interceptions (32 over the past two seasons), and the Cowboys have to keep from imploding around T.O. and Pacman Jones.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Romeo Crennel, Browns

Cleveland missed the playoffs at 10-6 last season but could win the AFC North and return to the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

OFFENSIVE ROOKIE

Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Steelers

Raiders RB Darren McFadden, the fourth overall draft pick, seems like the logical choice. But until he proves he can handle NFL riches, the assumption here is his questionable character can't be trusted. Mendenhall gives the Steelers their best big back since Jerome Bettis.

DEFENSIVE ROOKIE

Glenn Dorsey, DT, Chiefs

This poor guy was picked apart so badly leading up to the draft, it's hard to remember that he had seven sacks as the best defensive player in the Southeastern Conference last season. If he doesn't let his weight get out of control, he'll be a force in the NFL.

COMEBACK PLAYER

Marvin Harrison, WR, Colts

If he's healthy and Peyton Manning is his QB, Harrison wins the award after an injury-marred 2007 season.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER

Jared Allen, DE, Vikings

Let's see. He's the reigning NFL sack king. He's playing next to Pat and Kevin Williams. And he gets to chase Aaron Rodgers, Jon Kitna and the Rex Grossman and/or Kyle Orton combo a combined six times.