Coaching Changes Affect Fantasy Players
New Coaches Can Mean More to a Players' Value than Past Experience
Jun 23, 2009
While much of the offseason news in the world of professional football has been on players moves and where certain all-stars may end up, fantasy football team owners need to be aware of how coaching hires and fires will affect their players.
With 11 new coaches taking the helm for different teams in 2009, what kind of coaching philosophy each new head man brings will determine what kind of fantasy season some of the marquee players will have this year.
Good Coaching Moves for Fantasy Owners
Some of the coaching moves must have fantasy owners licking their lips ready to get a taste of what they will bring to the table. The leader of this class has to be Mike Singletary in San Francisco. Running back Frank Gore has emerged the last few years as rising star in the fantasy football world, but last year, he under produced under offensive coordinator Mike Martz. Martz is gone and Singletary is a grind it out type of coach. Look for Gore’s carries and stats to go up as he is primed for a breakout season.
Another good move for fantasy owners is the hiring of Steve Spagnuolo. Spagnuolo, who led the Giants to the Super Bowl as defensive coordinator, will bring that balanced mindset to the Rams. Not only does it make the Rams defense more attractive but with big names like quarterback Marc Bulger and running back Stephen Davis on offense, look for the Rams to regain some of their swagger from past seasons.
Just across the state from St. Louis in Kansas City, Chiefs fans are welcoming the hire Todd Haley. Haley was the architect of Arizona’s high powered offense. Gone is all-pro Tony Gonzalez and the Chiefs are certainly in rebuilding mode but with Haley’s track record and the signing of quarterback Matt Cassell, picking up a Kansas City receiver or the quarterback may pay off.
Coaching Changes That Could Be Good or Bad
Tony Dungy called it quits last season after storied career (one that may not be done yet) and the Colts handed the reigns over to Jim Caldwell. The Colts have a new look without future Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison but are still a seasoned team. Caldwell really only has to come in and point Peyton Manning in the right direction and sit back and watch the stats pile up. It remains to see if that happens.
The Jets looked like a playoff team through much of 2008 but failed to make the playoffs with Brett Favre at the helm. Favre is gone and so is coach Eric Mangini. In his place is defensive minded Rex Ryan, who is the son of Buddy Ryan and the mind behind Baltimore’s dominant defense. Ryan is plagued though with a team in flux as the Jets sold their soul last year to get Favre and may need to start a rookie quarterback. However this team is laden with talent at the wideout and tight end positions. It will be up to Ryan to use them effectively.
The Packers know how difficult it can be to replace Mike Holmgren. It took Green Bay three coaches to find Mike McCarthy, who can be described as a mini Holmgren. Apparently Seattle wasn’t paying attention. Hiring defensive minded Jim Mora to replace the legend, Seattle is hoping shoring up their defense will lead to the playoffs. If Mora keeps his hands off the offense, Seattle could have a few players worth picking up.
Changes May Be The Norm For These Guys
Of the remaining coaching changes, one that looked like a great move in January has become one of the greatest debacles in the history of the NFL. When the Broncos went out and hired New England’s Josh McDaniels, it looked like a good fit. Six months later, Denver is in turmoil as McDaniels has chased away quarterback Jay Cutler and now it appears standout wide receiver Brandon Marshall. The pressure from fans for McDaniel to produce will come early which could lead to a collapse in Denver and the stats of Broncos’ players.
Tom Cable takes over in Oakland after Al Davis was again forced to settle on a no name for coach. The Raiders have been a sinking ship with unreliable players and it doesn’t look like that trend will change. Jim Schwartz has the unenviable task of turning things around for the Lions. Detroit has talent but has not been able to put it together and events off the field as the city reels from the economy may keep the gridiron gang on the bottom of the NFL standings.
Eric Mangini moves over to Cleveland from the Jets. Mangini does not appear to be a good fit for a Cleveland team that really under achieved last season. Mangini’s Jets were headed for the playoffs before tripping and falling last season. Raheem Morris rounds out the coaching changes in 2009 as he takes over for Jon Gruden in Tampa Bay. Outside of the defense, Tampa Bay has never been a strong fantasy stat producing team. The untested Morris will face quarterback issues and may not be the defensive mind that Gruden was, causing fantasy owners to cast a wary eye his way.
