Coaching Carousel

2012-05-31 22:15:17
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
RealTime Fantasy Sports

Philbin takes over the Dolphins

Once again, we had plenty of changes at head coach in the NFL this offseason. We have seven new coaches in the league for 2012. This isn't a huge surprise, though, as teams are in a win-now mode more than ever. There is little margin for error these days, especially if you consider how quickly teams seem to be able to turn it around.

The big question is, how do these coaching hires impact fantasy teams? Well, that is what we are here to tell you. We'll give you the lowdown on all the coaching moves and how they could impact fantasy players on those teams moving forward.

The Colts hired Chuck Pagano as their new head coach. Pagano was the defensive coordinator for the Ravens last season and a secondary coach for them the previous few seasons. He obviously has a defensive background but hired long-time offensive coordinator Bruce Arians to run the offense. Arians is a good hire for fantasy teams as he is an innovative coach with a history of good offenses. Arians is a good hire for Andrew Luck. He should do all he can to make Luck succeed, especially early in his career. Expect the Colts to have a little bit of a pass-first system but they won't forget about the run based off his history.

Mike Mularkey gets another shot at being a head coach, getting hired by the Jaguars this offseason. Mularkey was the one-time head coach of the Bills but didn't last long in that role. He had a lot of success as the offensive coordinator for the Falcons the last few seasons, though. Mularkey is an innovative coach that likes to throw the ball. He'll bring a lot more imagination to the Jaguars' offense and should be a good mentor for Blaine Gabbert. He still needs the pieces to put up the numbers he did in Atlanta, but should be able to produce some solid fantasy players with the guys in place right now in Jacksonville.

Kansas City gave Romeo Crennel a shot to be their head coach late last season and liked what they saw, hiring him to be their full-time head coach during the offseason. Crennel has a defensive background but also was a head coach in Cleveland for several seasons. He had some success in Cleveland but didn't produce many big fantasy players. He brings a conservative approach to the offense and should have a run-first system in place with Jamaal Charles and Peyton Hillis getting plenty of chances to run the ball.

The Dolphins went offensive with their hire, getting former Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin to run the team. Philbin was a part of the prolific offenses in Green Bay and should bring a fresh approach to Miami. Expect the Dolphins to be pass first in their new scheme. They don't have the weapons the Packers do but Philbin will move guys around and create mismatches as best he can in the passing game. The quarterbacks and receivers get a boost in value with Philbin around.

Oakland hired another new coach, hiring Dennis Allen to take over as head coach. Allen was the defensive coordinator in Denver last season and has been a coach on the defensive side of the ball for several seasons. He is a young coach with not a ton of experience but a pretty good track record to date. His defenses do well in causing turnovers and pressuring the quarterback. He made a good hire at offensive coordinator, hiring long-time coordinator Greg Knapp to call plays. Knapp will bring a zone-blocking running scheme to Oakland. He does like to run the ball but won't ignore the pass and has a history of producing in the passing game with guys like Matt Schaub and Michael Vick. So while Allen is a defensive guy, Knapp brings some excitement to the offense in Oakland and should produce some good numbers for his fantasy players although former head coach Hue Jackson was a better fantasy offensive mind last season.

The Rams made a big hire in Jeff Fisher, a respected coach with a track record of success. He should help change the culture of losing in St. Louis. Fisher is a defensive-first coach, bringing a hard-nosed style of football to the team. He will grind it out more than air it out. The Rams won't ignore the pass but the running game should get a workout. Steven Jackson should benefit from the hire. But Sam Bradford won't be ignored. Fisher knows the league is moving to a pass-first league, so you can expect him to adjust some. The Rams will adjust to what defenses give them but expect them to be more of a run-first, conservative team most of the time.

Tampa went the college route, hiring former Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano to become the man in charge. Schiano had plenty of success at a school not known for football, which is encouraging. He produced a lot of big-time running backs in college, which is encouraging for newly drafted Doug Martin. Mike Sullivan will be the offensive coordinator. Sullivan was in New York the past several seasons and should do well for the Bucs. He was a mentor for Eli Manning and should benefit Josh Freeman. He'll have a balanced approach offensively but might lean a little towards the pass if the Giants past few seasons are any indication.

If you have any questions or comments, please email Jeff Paur at jeff@rtsports.com

Fantasy Football Player Notes RSS FeedPLAYER NOTES

Lamar MillerMay 22 11:25a

Miami Dolphins RB Lamar Miller worked predominantly with the first-team offense, but RBs Daniel Thomas, Mike Gillislee and Marcus Thigpen also saw carries Tuesday, May 21, in organized team activities (OTAs).

Brian UrlacherMay 22 11:23a

Free-agent MLB Brian Urlacher (Bears) retired after 13 seasons.

DeMarco MurrayMay 22 11:12a

The Dallas Cowboys are taking a cautious approach with RB DeMarco Murray (hamstring) as he deals with a slight hamstring tweak, according to head coach Jason Garrett.

Manti Te'oMay 22 11:10a

San Diego Chargers LB Manti Te'o has been looking good during the team's organized team activities this week, but the team hasn't been in pads yet. Te'o displayed good [ More ]

Ryan TannehillMay 22 11:06a

Miami Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill was sharp during organized team activities Tuesday, May 21. Tannehill had big passes to WRs Brian Hartline and Mike Wallace. TE Dustin Keller was [ More ]

Antonio JohnsonMay 22 10:53a

The Tennessee Titans signed DT Antonio Johnson to a one-year deal worth $850,000. He has an $800,000 base salary and a $50,000 roster bonus.

Wes WelkerMay 22 10:44a

Denver Broncos WR Wes Welker knows that with WRs Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker in the picture on his new team, he won't be averaging 112 catches in 2013 [ More ]

Christine MichaelMay 22 10:44a

Seattle Seahawks RB Christine Michael (hamstring) and CB Tharold Simon (foot) were limited in organized team activities Monday, May 20. RB Robert Turbin had the chance to take first-team [ More ]

Fendi OnobunMay 22 09:43a

The Chicago Bears' depth chart at tight end after TE Martellus Bennett is wide open. TE Fendi Onobun could seize an opportunity for playing time.

T.J. YatesMay 22 08:43a

Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said QB Case Keenum could unseat QB T.J. Yates for the backup quarterback spot.

Mario FanninMay 22 08:33a

The Denver Broncos waived RB Mario Fannin and placed S Blake Gideon on the reserve-retired list.

Darrelle RevisMay 21 11:53p

Tampa Bay Buccaneers CB Darrelle Revis (knee) has been cleared to cut and change directions. 'I feel very confident,' Revis said Tuesday, May 21.

Michael EgnewMay 21 11:53p

Miami Dolphins TE Michael Egnew began team drills in organized team activities (OTAs) Tuesday, May 21, ahead of TE Dustin Keller. Head coach Joe Philbin said Egnew earned the reps after a strong offseason.

Charles WoodsonMay 21 11:53p

The Oakland Raiders agreed to terms with free-agent CB Charles Woodson (Packers) on a one-year, $1.8 million contract Tuesday, May 21.

Nate GarnerMay 21 11:53p

Miami Dolphins OG Nate Garner rotated in at left guard and center during organized team activities (OTAs) Tuesday, May 21. He was the team's backup right tackle last season.

M. BernadeauMay 21 09:13p

Dallas Cowboys OG David Arkin and OL Ronald Leary split time at right guard during organized team activities (OTAs) Tuesday, May 21, with OG Mackenzy Bernadeau (shoulder) still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.

Will AllenMay 21 09:13p

Dallas Cowboys SS Will Allen rotated with FS Matt Johnson Tuesday, May 21, during organized team activities (OTAs), working opposite SS Barry Church.

Aldon SmithMay 21 09:13p

San Francisco 49ers LB Aldon Smith (shoulder) is still recovering from labrum surgery during the offseason. He has been doing a 'little bit' of work at the start of organized team activities (OTAs).

Morris ClaiborneMay 21 09:13p

Dallas Cowboys CB Morris Claiborne has bulked up from 185 pounds to 193 pounds during the offseason. He said Tuesday, May 21, that he is getting used to the [ More ]

Jason GarrettMay 21 09:13p

Dallas Cowboys team owner and general manager said Tuesday, May 21, that head coach Jason Garrett is 'not coaching for his job this year.'

Doug FreeMay 21 09:13p

Dallas Cowboys OTs Doug Free and Jermey Parnell split time at right tackle during the first day of organized team activities (OTAs) Tuesday, May 21.

Anquan BoldinMay 21 09:13p

San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick and WRs A.J. Jenkins and Ricardo Lockette lived together for two months in Atlanta during the offseason, working together at a nearby training [ More ]

DeMarcus WareMay 21 09:03p

Dallas Cowboys DT Jay Ratliff and DE DeMarcus Ware did not participate in team drills Tuesday, May 21, during the first day of organized team activities (OTAs).

Bruce AriansMay 21 08:03p

Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians was disappointed with his team during organized team activities Tuesday, May 21, and he singled out several players for making mental mistakes two [ More ]

Max StarksMay 21 06:33p

San Diego Chargers OT Max Starks, who was signed to an undisclosed one-year deal Tuesday, May 21, is likely to become the team's starting left guard this year. Starks [ More ]

Tony RomoMay 21 05:53p

Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo (back) said he didn't know about the cyst on his back when he signed a six-year, $108 million extension in March. Romo said he [ More ]

Max StarksMay 21 05:43p

The San Diego Chargers signed OT Max Starks (Steelers) Tuesday, May 21. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Dez BryantMay 21 05:03p

Dallas Cowboys WR Dez Bryant said he found himself, and that has led to a quiet offseason with no off-field issues. 'I found myself,' Bryant said Tuesday after the [ More ]

Jeff KingMay 21 04:43p

Arizona Cardinals TE Jeff King (knee) underwent knee surgery early in the offseason. The coaching staff hopes King can return to practice in early June.

Jordan CameronMay 21 04:13p

The Cleveland Browns really like TE Jordan Cameron as their starting tight end and have been targeting him a lot in organized team activities.

Jerel WorthyMay 21 03:53p

Green Bay Packers DT Jerel Worthy (knee) said he is going to play again at some point in 2013 after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in Week 17.

Mike GoodsonMay 21 03:13p

New York Jets RB Mike Goodson will plead not guilty to all charges, with the most serious being a second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. If convicted, Goodson would [ More ]

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