The Coaching Carousel: NFC West

Every offseason, fantasy owners, and football fans in general, tune in to find out which free agents are heading where.

Signings like T.O. heading to the Buffalo Bills and T.J. Houshmandzadeh's journey to the Northwest, where he'll join the Seattle Seahawks, are analyzed and scrutinized by everyone from ESPN to the guy sitting in the cubicle next to you as everyone attempts to figure out how these new additions will fit in in their new systems.

Strangely enough though, the coaching changes that occur each and every off-season garner much less attention despite these holding much more significance. After all, the coaches are the ones devising the systems that guys like T.O. and Housh will be playing in.

But, don't worry, the Bruno Boys, as usual, have you covered as we take a look at the Coaching Carousel of the NFL, breaking down all the important coaching changes division by division, starting with the NFC West.

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Arizona Cardinals' Offensive Coordinator

Out: Todd Haley

Analysis: The man behind Arizona's Aerial Assault in 2007 and during the team's Super Bowl run just last season is moving on up as Haley has been named as Herm Edward's replacement as the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs.

In his two seasons with Arizona, Haley embraced a pass first mentality, and with Kurt Warner, Anquan Boldin, and Larry Fitzgerald at his disposal, who could blame him.

That mentality allowed the team's pass offense to rank in the top five in both 2007 (five) and 2008 (two); however, it didn't exactly help the team's running backs as Arizona finished 29th in the league in rushing in 2007 and dead last in 2008.

So, what can fantasy owners expect out of Arizona in 2009 now that Haley has departed? While the team will look to create a more balanced attack, much like they did during their playoff run, if they don't draft a high caliber back in this year's draft, that will be a tall task.

Arizona's top players are all involved in the passing game, and it would surprise the Bruno Boys if they went away from the Aerial Attack that had them playing for the Super Bowl just last year.

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San Francisco 49ers' Offensive Coordinator

Out: Mike Martz
In: Jimmy Raye

Analysis: The thought last offseason was that the 49ers' brought Mike Martz aboard as offensive coordinator as an contingency plan for Mike Nolan. Should Nolan falter, then it would be Martz to take over the reins.

Well, Nolan did falter and a new Mike did become the 49ers' head coach; however, that Mike was Mike Singletary, who promptly decided that the wave of the future for the 49ers would focus on a running attack, making Martz, who's pass happy offense didn't quite work in San Francisco (the team finished 23rd in total offense) expendable.

With Martz gone, the Niners have brought in Jimmy Raye to devise the team's 2009 offensive strategy, a move that will undoubtedly usher in a more smash mouth approach to moving the ball down field.

That shift in philosophy should bode well for Frank Gore, who has been well shy of his career high 2006 season of 1,695 rushing yards these past two years. Don't believe us, well, let us just point out that Raye has had a hand in many big years for running backs.

Not only did he help Thomas Jones earn his first pro-bowl bid last season, while serving as the New York Jets running back coach, but he, also, had a part in Stephen Davis' 1,432 yard 2001 season, Marcus Allen's revitalization in Kansas City and Eric Dickerson's 2,105 yard season back in 1984.

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Seattle Seahawks' Head Coach

Out: Mike Holmgren
In: Jim Mora

After 38 years of being on a football sideline, Mike Holmgren felt it was time to step away from the game, (at least for a little while) relinquishing his position as head coach of the Seattle Seahawks. Holmgren hands the spot over to former Atlanta Falcons' head coach, Jim Mora.

Mora, along with new offensive coordinator, Greg Knapp, are probably best known by fantasy footballers for their stint with the Falcons in which the team finished first in rushing offense from 2004 to 2006.

The difference though between those teams and the Seahawks team they now inherit is no Michael Vick.

With Matt Hasselbeck their man under center and a back field platoon that's lacking a true star, Mora and Knapp will need to adjust their offensive game plan from their days with the Falcons.

While the run will still be a significant part of the offense, look for Mora and Knapp to call a few more passing plays than they did with Atlanta. Plagued by injuries last season, the Seahawks finished in the bottom half of the league in both the run (19th) and the pass (29th).

Expect Mora to return them to at least the middle of the pack in both categories in 2009.

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St. Louis Rams' Head Coach

Out: Jim Haslett
In: Steve Spagnuolo

Mike Singletary was able to turn his interim gig with the 49ers into a full-time job; Jim Haslett was not able to do the same with St. Louis. Rather, the Rams decided to hire former New York Giants' defensive coordinator, Steve Spagnuolo.

While many remember Eli Manning's  miracle escape and David Tyree's phenomenal helmet catch as the reason for the Giants Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots two seasons ago, it was Spagnuolo's game plan for the pass rush, which created pressure on Tom Brady, that put Manning and Tyree in the position where that play matter.

But, the question fantasy owners want answered is how this defensive minded coach will change things in St. Louis? Well, gone are the days of the "greatest show on turf."

Rather than rack up wins by utilizing the offense to outscore their opponents, Spagnuolo will try to win games on the defensive side of the ball, which means the offense will be utilized more to create field position and to control the clock. Running attack, here we come.

Look for Spagnuolo to create an offense heavily centered around stud running back, Steven Jackson. And, with newly added blockers in C Jason Brown and FB Mike Karney, Spagnuolo's run-first offensive philosophy could make Jackson an excellent buy low candidate in 2009.

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