Handicapping NFL Coaching Changes Before the 2008 Season
NFL coaching changes factor into our NFL handicapping strategies each and every year. It’s not too big of a deal for one player who gets traded to learn a new system, but it is a much bigger deal for an entire team to adapt to new coaches and the new systems which they bring in with them. Sometimes coaching changes can cause teams to take an immediate step backwards before they move forward. Other times, coaching changes can immediately spur on a stagnant team. In this article, we will take a look at some of the different NFL coaching changes that transpired during the 2008 offseason, and we will try to get you up to speed on what to expect from them.
20% Bonus and Early Lines at Bookmaker!
After some success with Brian Billick, the Ravens decided to fire their head man in favor of long-time Philadelphia Eagles assistant John Harbaugh. The change was spurred on by Baltimore’s worst season since the franchise’s first in 1996. It did not help Billick any that last year’s struggles came directly after one of Baltimore’s best seasons – a 13-win year.
Ownership felt that Billick’s veteran team lacked discipline and they will look to the stern Harbaugh to instill that. Beyond that, Billick’s teams lacked offense. The Ravens also brought in touted offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, who did not fit into Miami’s plans. Cameron will have his work cut out for himself, challenged with reviving an offense which has finished in the bottom half of the NFL in eight of the past nine seasons. But he has a little bit better team to work with than he did in Miami last season. No matter who is taking the snaps (Kyle Boller, Troy Smith, or Joe Flacco), Cameron’s more attacking and unpredictable style will instantly improve this offense.
The Washington Redskins were a playoff team in 2007 under Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs. It’s going to be a much different feel in Washington under new head man Jim Zorn (formerly Seattle’s QB coach). This was a very surprising hire by owner Dan Snyder who normally goes after bigger fish. With 22 starters returning and adding Jason Taylor, Zorn has the cupboards pretty full. However, having a young QB in Jason Campbell, who was still leaning the Gibbs approach, could set the offense back. Zorn plans on installing Seattle’s West Coast offense and we enter this season not sure if Campbell will be able to run it. He will likely struggle in year one under a new system and Washington will likely endure another up and down year, one which does not include the postseason in 2008.
As if things weren’t already bad enough for the Falcons with their star QB doing hard time for animal cruelty charges, Bobby Petrino left the team hanging when he walked to head back to the college ranks. In comes former Jacksonville defensive coordinator Mike Smith to take over one of the saddest stories in the league. After a 4-12 season, it can’t get much worse for the Falcons, but it does appear that they will be taking another step backwards in Smith’s first season at the helm. His inexperience and low-key approach may need a little honing to get the attention of a young team lacking direction. Smith brought in more experienced coaches to help him out. Mike Mularkey will take over the offensive coordinator duties and Brian Van Gorder will take over the defense. Good moves on the part of Smith, but now this young team must learn new philosophies on each side of the ball.
Make sure you check out Jimmy Boyd’s take on the college football coaching changes as well.
For a more entertaining read, check out 41 Miles to Freedom’s article on why the 2008 NFL coaching changes were boring.
If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:
 |  |  |  |  |  |
Comments
Got something to say?