I just read the title. Saban has alot to prove this year? YOU'VE GOT TO BE EFFING KIDDING ME RIGHT? After turning a 4-12 team to 9-7, and now looking into bringing some new free agents, and the 2006 draft, he will do EVEN better next season. Remember, we went 9-7 with Gus Frerrote, and now we are showing interest in Drew Brees (which is starting to seem like him coming to Miami is highly likely). Drew Brees will take us to the next level in an offensive point of view.
Just look at who Nick Saban drafted last season: Ronnie Brown, Matt Roth, Channing Chrowder, Travis Daniels, Manny Wright.
EACH OF THEM HAVE SHOWED POTENTIAL LAST SEASON TO BE GREAT STARS IN THE FUTURE. No other team has had a more successful draft last season than the Dolphins, and I can't wait for this year's draft.
Dick Jauron and Eric Mangini has much more to prove that they can actually take a head coaching job, more to Eric than Dick. Eric Mangini's interview did not impress me at all. He seems soft, and will be a project head coach for years to come. He's not the next Gruden, that's for sure. His interview was similar to Brad Childress' "I've been in a championship team, and have learned from the 'best', blah blah blah". I have questioned all along if Eric is actually ready for a coaching job, Scott Linehan seems more ready than he is.
IMO, Bills will have a better season than the Jets in 2006. Bills are younger, faster, and have more direction than the Jets. I don't know how good J.P. Losman can get, but he needs some more offensive weapons (draft Chad Jackson maybe?). The Bills need Takeo Spikes back, and just build on the draft. Building on the draft is the best way to recover from a horrible season.
Jets has long ways to work, and I don't think Eric is a draft kind of guy. Belicheck isn't a draft guy either, though Hobbs was a great steal and Cassel looked pretty good in week 17.