NFL Coaching Changes Affect Fantasy Football
From LoveToKnow Online
Fantasy football owners should pay close attention to head coaching changes in the National Football League. Coaches have different styles. Some emphasize passing, some like the run, while others focus on defense and ball control. When drafting your fantasy football team, you need to consider what type of offense the team will play, based on the coach. Ten NFL teams have new head coaches this season, meaning the production of many players may be altered in either a positive or negative way. Be sure to check the style of each new coach, prior to your draft. Here are just a few key changes and how they might impact important fantasy football players.
Gary Kubiak And Mike Sherman To Houston
New Texans’ head coach Gary Kubiak may produce the most significant change this season. He comes to the NFL’s worst team but a team that has some talent that fantasy team managers will be interested in this fall. Kubiak has spent years working under Mike Shanahan in Denver, and he will bring some major changes, including a running scheme that has been regarded by many experts as one of the best in the NFL. This could have a huge impact on Texan tailback Domanick Davis, a very talented, young player, who struggled last season behind Houston’s porous offensive line. Davis still managed 976 yards and a 4.2 yards-per-carry average. He should be much better, even if Houston drafts USC’s Reggie Bush with the first overall pick. New assistant head coach for offense and former Green Bay Packers head coach, Mike Sherman, brings a wealth of coaching experience and the reputation of helping quarterbacks, something that will be extremely helpful to young Houston QB David Carr, who struggled last season but may be emboldened by new coaches and a new contract. Fantasy football owners will want to give serious consideration to Carr and his fine wide receivers, as well as Davis in the middle rounds of 2006 fantasy football drafts.
Rod Marinelli And Mike Martz To Detroit
Former Vietnam veteran Rod Marinelli intends to bring some much-needed discipline to an awful Lions franchise that is chock full of high draft picks, capable of lighting up the football field. Although he’s never been a head coach, Marinelli intends to make Detroit a top-flight defensive team, bringing with him a solid record as a defensive coach in Tampa Bay. To help get the most from a talented corp of receivers and running backs, Marinelli has hired offensive guru Mike Martz, who was fired as head coach of St. Louis, after last season. Martz had some health issues, so his dismissal may be due more to his ailments than to bad coaching. Martz built the Rams into one of the most explosive offensive teams in the NLF, and his offensive wisdom could mean some big numbers for Lions players this coming season.
Scott Linehan To St. Louis
Former Dolphins and Vikings offensive coordinator Scott Linehan might make an already formidable Rams offense even more potent in 2006. Known for creating devastating vertical passing attacks, Linehan could improve the already stellar numbers of receiver Torry Holt, quarterback Marc Bulger and multi-purpose running back Steven Jackson. With Linehan at the helm in St. Louis, you’ll want to keep a close eye on Rams position players on draft day.
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