I know it may seem a little early to start burying NFL head coaches but realistically, this could be a record year for coaching vacancies come the end of the season.

Already two coaches have been replaced and by a conservative count seven to nine more could be tossed over the side or step down.

For starters, Marvin Lewis in Cincinnati and Rod Marinelli in Detroit are almost certain goners, especially Marinelli. He’s working for a new GM now, Martin Mayhew, and even though Mayhew was part of the Matt Millen regime, he will probably want to distance himself from some of Millen’s decisions and with the Lions at 0-6 that won’t be hard to do in Marinelli’s case.

The Bengals (0-7) are disintegrating and have been on an accelerating slide since winning the AFC North in 2005. They have a chance to win maybe two games this year, Houston next week and Kansas City at the end of the year. Speaking of Kansas City (1-5), it could be the end of the Carl Peterson era after this season – he has been the GM there for nearly two decades -- and head coach Herm Edwards is certainly likely to go barring a complete turnaround.

Other coaches who may be in danger: Wade Phillips, for sure if the Cowboys (4-3) don’t make the playoffs and maybe even if they do and don’t win a playoff game; Norv Turner, again if the Chargers (3-4) don’t make the playoffs; Brad Childress in Minnesota (3-4); Mike Nolan in San Francisco (2-5), and who knows what Al Davis will do with interim Tom Cable in Oakland (2-4). Also, don’t forget that Mike Holmgren has said this is his last season with Seattle (1-5) and so far it’s been a train-wreck, and Tony Dungy is always a possibility to call it quits in Indianapolis (3-3). Interim Jim Haslett could keep the job in St. Louis (2-4) if he can keep that franchise on the rebound but there are no guarantees if the Rams tank.