Notable Coaching Changes

The following list is a list of coaching changes and a quick blurb on fantasy impact for the respective team. I've only listed coaching changes that I feel will have a significant impact.

ATL: Mike Smith, new HC... At least they have a coach now, but it remains to see which, if any of their players, will be viable fantasy options.

BAL: John Harbaugh, new HC
Cam Cameron, new OC... Both of these are good hires for Baltimore, and overall, their coaching staff seems very well put together. Cam Cameron's offense should increase the value of Willis McGahee, regardless of the QB situation.

DET: Jim Colleto, new OC... The impact here is more about Mike Martz leaving- The Lions should have a more balanced attack next year, so temper your expectations for Kitna and the receiving group.

JAX: Greg Williams, new DC... Mike Smith left to coach ATL, and the Jags got a better defensive coordinator to replace him with. Williams did a solid job with the Redskin's defense the past couple seasons. Jacksonville already has a great D-Line in place, and if they bolster their defense in free agency and the draft, Williams might turn them into one of the top defensive units in the league.

SF: Mike Martz, new OC... People are saying Mike Martz won't work in San Francisco because of the lack of talent. However, people forget that the "Greatest Show on Turf" revolved around Marshal Faulk, a versatile back who ran and caught balls out of the backfield. He also developed Kurt Warner into a Super Bowl MVP. It may not seem like a good fit at first, but Martz can definitely improve QBs, and the Niners need that more than anything. The offense will probably revolve around Gore more than people think, and I expect Martz will do what he can to get SF to acquire a good receiver or three. I think Gore makes a great value fantasy draft selection if he falls to the late first round.

STL: Al Saunders, new OC... The offense can't do much worse than it did last year. I don't expect Saunders to work any miracles, but hopefully he can get the offensive unit in order and keep them from staging a mutiny against head coach Scott Linehan. The Rams should have a bounce-back year in 2008.

Washington: New everything... What a debacle this whole situation was. Jim Zorn seems to be respected around the league, and studied under Holmgren, so maybe there's some residual Bill Walsh in him. It's a big leap from QB coach to head coach, though. Not really sure how everything will pan out in Washington.

Miami: New everything... The talking heads on TV seem to think Bill Parcells will be coaching the Dolphins, when it in fact is Tony Sparano. Miami has a lot of rebuilding to do, though, and I think they're in for a long season regardless of the coaching staff. The only player worth considering from Miami is Ronnie Brown, and generally RBs coming off a torn ACL don't do so well.

That's it for the coaching changes. We have free agency coming on the 29th, so I'll probably post some updates on that in the near future.