The Coaching Carousel: NFC East

Every off-season, 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 TJ 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. This stop, the NFC East.

--------------------

New York Giants' Defensive Coordinator

Out: Steve Spagnuolo
In: Bill Sheridan

In a division in which every team finished .500 or better, the coaching changes are few and far between in the NFC East (though Wade Phillips is undeniably skating on thin ice), leaving us with only the New York Giants' defensive coordinator position to discuss in this edition of the Coaching Carousel.

Talking defense in the world of fantasy football is not the most thrilling thing to do, but it is important for fantasy owners to note that former Giants' defensive coordinator, Steve Spagnuolo, has left in order to move up the coaching hierarchy, joining the St. Louis Rams as the team's head coach. Known for his scheme involving intense pass rushes and complex blitzes, Spagnuolo was able to take the Giants into the top tier of fantasy defenses in 2007 and 2008, as they finished 7th and 5th in the league in total defense, respectively in those two season.

While the team has promoted from within, bringing Bill Sheridan from linebackers coach to defensive coordinator, in the hopes of maintaining some stability on the defensive side of the ball, it is unclear as to whether or not Sheridan will be able to implement properly the fierce pass rush the Giants have relied on so heavily the past two years. With that being the case, it may be best to drop the Giants D/ST down just a few notches on your cheat sheets as we head into 2009.

--------------------

For more fantasy football insight and advice, click the link below...

Bruno Boys Fantasy Football