When Linehan left, they won 2 straight against teams that guys like you would have felt were way more talented. That was no surprise to me, nor was the collapse that followed once Jackson got hurt. Just like it was no surprise to me that the Bills ended 7-9 after a promising start. Losers find ways to lose in the same manner teams like the Patriots win playoff games with Hank "didn't play a regular season down" Poteat lining up at corner.
The fact is it's pretty rare for coaching changes to work during a season in the NFL, which is why it almost never happens. The organization in St Louis wanted to wait another season because they are trying to sell. They knew they'd have trouble getting any "name" guy to come in given the situation plus wanted to give the new owner a chance to pick his own people but it got so bad in the locker room they made the change.
There are reasons guys like Parcells and Schottenheimer are able to turn their teams around in one offseason and it isn't a sudden influx of top level talent. I know, everyone suddenly feared the Dolphins this offseason when they were bringing in guys like Chad Pennington. They became the chic pick, right? Guys like Kreider are exactly what Parcells and other winners bring in - because they know what it takes to win.