Get Coordinated: New NFL Coordinators That Will Make An Impact In 2010

There are several X-factors in fantasy football, which owners tend to overlook when ranking their skill position players.  One such factor is the effect that offensive and defensive coordinators have on their respective teams.

The New England Patriots have decided to go without a defense or offensive coordinator this season.  Wade Phillips and Raheem Morris are head coaches, which are also their teams defensive coordinator.   

Coordinators are the flesh and blood of a coaching staff, and have a significant impact on real, as well as fantasy football.  Last season, Larry Coyer (Colts) and Greg Williams (Saints) brought aggressive schemes to their 'soft' teams. 

Teams have taken notice.  This season we will see 14 new offensive and defensive coordinators, which will try and replicate the success of Larry Coyer and Greg Williams.  Five of these coordinators have been head coaches in the NFL.  With so much pressure to win within a certain timeframe, head coaches are leaning on these coordinators to get them off the hot seat.  

We will look at seven coordinator changes around the NFL, and the impact they will have, not only on their new teams, but how they will impact fantasy football players as well. 

Perry Fewell DC, Giants

When Steve Spagnulo left as DC of the Giants, Bill Sheridan was supposed to have a seamless transition taking over the Giants defense.  Injuries mounted, and the defense became a joke, giving up 40 plus points in 5 games.  Not what we would normally expect from a traditionally aggressive defensive minded team and Sheridan was ran out of town.  

New York's secondary was deep fried, broiled, barbecued, and burned in 2009, giving up 31 TD passes.  Perry Fewell's Bills defenses have only allowed 28 TD passes in the past 2 seasons combined. 

The Giants may go to more cover-2 scheme, but with the talent at DE, Fewell will sure not to ignore attacking the QB.  The Giants brought in Antrel Rolle, have 2 budding stars at CB with Terrell Thomas and Corey Webster, but the health of Kenny Phillips will be the key to their secondary’s success. 

New York was minus-7 in the turnover battle last season, but Fewell should surely improve on that number, especially as he and Tom Coughlin worked well together during their 5 years in Jacksonville.

Jeremy Bates OC, Seahawks

The Seahawks offense was a mess in 2009, as injuries and lackluster play led to a 21st offensive ranking.  Jeremy Bates comes over with Pete Carroll, and also gets offensive line guru Alex Gibbs in the deal.  The offensive line will get a big boost by the coaching of Gibbs and the drafting of Russell Okung. 

Bates was the play caller for the Broncos in 2008, and with Cutler and company, they ranked second in the NFL. 

The Seahawks upgraded their offense with Okung and Golden Tate through the draft, and Charlie Whitehurst and Leon Washington via trade.  With T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Matt Hasselbeck both coming into 2010 healthy, John Carlson entering his third season and the dynamic RB Justin Forsett in the backfield, Bates has some talent to work with. 

The Seahawks were minus-8 in the turnover battle during the 2009 season, but we see Carroll turning things around.  The Hawks like what they have in Charlie Whitehurst, but everything may hinge of the health of Matt Hasselbeck.  This offense has a lot of potential, and is chock full of sleepers, we shall see if Bates can make it come to fruition.

Mike Nolan DC, Dolphins

Nolan took the Broncos from a 4-3 base to a 3-4 base, and they responded by going from the 29th overall defense to the 7th overall.  The undersized unit was run over towards the middle of the season, as they could not stop the run. 

Nolan left Denver on a "mutual agreement” and heads over to work for his former boss, Bill Parcells.  The pressure is on for Nolan to deliver in his first year with the team.  The Dolphins spent big bucks on Karlos Dansby and spent 7 of their 8 draft picks were spent trying to shore up the defense. 

Yeremiah Bell is a top option in IDP leagues, and Nolan had great success with Brian Dawkins last season.  Look for Bell to continue to be a top 3 option at DB.  Jason Taylor and Joey Porter are gone, so Nolan must find ways to get to the quarterback.  Under Mike Nolan, Elvis Dumervil moved to outside LB, and raised his sack level from 5 to 17. 

Now, Koa Misi, Cameron Wake, and Charlie Anderson will have to step up for the Dolphins defense.  The Dolphins offense should help out Nolan, as they have an imposing running game, and an improving passing game with Henne and Marshall.

Charlie Weis OC, Chiefs

Weis has a daunting task ahead of him this season, to get Matt Cassel to look like a NFL caliber QB in 2010.  Last season, Cassel did not look good without the Pats coaching staff and players surrounding him. 

With friends and offensive gurus Todd Haley and Charlie Weis on his side, Cassel has to step up in his second year with the club.  Dwayne Bowe and Chris Chambers remain his top two options at WR, but rookie Dexter McCluster has made some noise in OTA's with his blazing speed, and ridiculous cuts. 

During his time with the Pats (2000-2004), Brady never threw for over 28 TDs or 4,000 yards under Weis, but that was without a true number one WR.  If Cassel can get to the Brady average during those seasons (24.2 TDs, 3,479 yards passing) then he will be a success in both the NFL, and in fantasy leagues. 

We see this team leaning on the running game with budding star Jamaal Charles and fading veteran Thomas Jones.  The passing game will rely on quick passes that will allow Cassel to have a higher completion percentage, and gain some confidence within the system. 

We will see if Weis and Haley can be a good fit for each other and the Chiefs offense this season.  Romeo Crennel will help right the defense, and if he can help keep the Chiefs in games, then the offense should be able give team a heavy dose of their running attack. 

Hue Jackson OC, Raiders

Hue Jackson was responsible for the progression of Joe Flacco, and brings a hardnosed offensive philosophy to an offense that has been in flux over the past few seasons. 

Tom Cable returns as HC, and will turn over offensive play calling duties to Jackson.  Cable was wearing too many hats last season, and it hurt the offense, which was one of the worst in the league. 

After the benching of JaMarcus Russell, the offense produced 5.8 more points per game, as well as 100 more yards of offense.  With new signal caller Jason Campbell coming over from the Redskins, Hue Jackson has a strong armed QB that fits into his style of offense. 

We will see a heavy load of Michael Bush and Darren McFadden, as Hue may try to use Run DMC in a "Ray Rice role" in the passing game.  Bush should be the man at the stripe.  This team will run to set up the pass, and Campbell's arm will go to good use with a plethora of speed at the skill positions. 

The WRs are young, but extremely explosive. Chaz Schilens, Louis Murphy, DHB, Johnny Lee Higgins, and rookie Jacob Ford all can fly, and Zach Miller is ready to break out in a big way. 

The additions of Campbell and Jackson really make this offense interesting from fantasy perspective, as the options on this team have high upside, and a cheap price tag.

Kyle Shannahan OC, Redskins

Like father, like son.  Kyle comes over from Houston, and joins his dad in an attempt to fix the Redskins 22th ranked offense from 2009. 

Kyle brings an aggressive approach that led to the Texans 4th overall ranked offense in 2009.  Donovan McNabb comes over from Philly, and although he will bring leadership to the offense, he is not an accurate passer, which is needed in a West Coast system. 

He survived in Philly’s West Coast offense for this long, so we will see if the Shannahans can bring the most out of him.  The Redskins running game ranked 27th in the NFL last season, but tackle Trent Williams may help he line which was crippled by injuries. 

Larry Johnson and Clinton Portis are two of the oldest-young RBs at 30 and 28, but they may have little left to offer.  With the Skins' looking to run the ball, we are not sold on guys currently on the roster. 

We feel the same about the WRs, as Devin Thomas has to step up in year three, or it could be a long season for the passing game.  With Jim Haslett bringing an aggressive 3-4 defense to D.C., the Redskins defense can help improve on their minus-11 turnover rate from last season, and give the offense more opportunities. 

Mike Martz OC, Bears

Mad Mike brings his high flying attack to the windy city, to team with Jay Cutler, in what could be one of the biggest "fantasy" story lines during the past offseason. 

The other addition that is under the radar for this offense is the hiring of Mike Tice to coach the offensive line.  The line has been an average group over the past couple of years, but Tice will bring a tough attitude to this group that allowed 35 sacks last season, and didn't open big holes for RB Matt Forte. 

What impact has Martz had on his previous passing offenses?  In 1998, the Rams were the 22nd ranked passing offense, in 1999** they were the #1 ranked passing offense.  In 2005, the Lions were the 26th ranked passing offense, and in 2006** they were the 7th ranked passing offense.  In 2007, the 49ers were the 32nd ranked pass offense, and in 2008** they were the 13th ranked passing offense. 

No matter where Martz goes, he has a significant impact on the teams passing efficiency, where will the 17th ranked Bears finish?  They have all the pieces in place to make the jump, and Jay Cutler, the RBs, and the WRs should all have solid seasons in the new system.

**Martz first season with team

Tommy Rowan is the co-founder and writer for fantasyfanplay.com  

For all your daily and up to the minute fantasy football news, insights, and analysis follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and dominate your draft with the Fantasy Fan Play Iphone/Ipad App.