New Faces in Charge of the NFL

NFL News - July 3, 2009 - Written by Ryan

The NFL enters into the 2009 season with 7 brand new first time head coach's.  If you count last years mid season interim head coach replacements, Tom Cable of the Oakland Raiders and Mike Singletary of the San Francisco 49ers, the NFL has 9 new head coaches.  It's not uncommon for NFL teams to introduce new head coach's every season, however 9 seems like an awful lot.  With 9 new head coach's starting the season it leads me to wonder, which coach's will fail and which coach's will prosper in their new homes.  Though rating coach's before the season begins is not a testament of the ability one has to lead a team, it's is a testament to how well they can motivate a team.  Here is a break down of the 9 new head coach's and how well their teams will favor this season. 

McDaniels was a highly coveted off season acquisition by every team, after calling plays as offensive coordinator for the new England patriots the last few years.  McDaniels looks to bring back the excitement of a high scoring team, the Broncos have missed sense John Elway retired.  However, McDaniels started off on the wrong side by trading away all-star and fan favorite starting quarterback Jay Cutler.  Cutler is a big reason why the Broncos have become semi-successful the last three years.  McDaniels will now have to try and win the fans back with a much older and less talented quarterback in Kyle Orton.  McDaniels has his work cut out for him the season, his duties include, winning back loyal fans lost during the weeks leading up to the Cutler trade, establish the style of offense he seeks in one mini camp, and most important win football games.  the Broncos finished the 2008 season 8-8, a good sign for McDaniels, as any improvement from last years record might just allow him to keep his job.

Jim Caldwell though, he is taking over the rains of an already good playoff team might find himself out the door quick.  I always find it easier for coach's to keep their jobs if they are hired to bring back a failing team such as the Raiders or the Lions.  In Jim Caldwell's situation he just might have the hardest time trying to keep his job next year if takes a loss in just two more games than last year.  finishing the 2009 season with a record pf 10-6 might actually get a coach a contract extension for other teams, but that's not the case for the Colts.  Caldwell will have to lead the Colts to a record of 12-4 at the worst and must make the playoffs.  Anything less than a playoff birth and Colts fans and players will begin to become discouraged.  Caldwell does have one card up his sleeve in highly talented quarterback Peyton Manning, Manning has become accustom to calling his on plays at the line of scrimmage and, this might alleviate some of the pressure off Caldwell's shoulders.

Todd Haley got a taste of what the Superbowl is all about, after he and the Arizona Cardinals made it all the way to the big game in 2008.  Haley is trying to bring some of that experience to his new team the Kansas City Chiefs, in hopes he can get the team headed back in the right direction.  Todd Haley just might have the best chance, out of all the new head coaching hires to make a dramatic improvement.  The chiefs needed a reliable starting quarterback and a leader on defense, they accomplished all of that in one trade with the Patriots.  The Patriots offered last years QB sensation Matt Cassell and long time veteran and Superbowl champion Mike Vrabel to the Chiefs for an assortment of draft picks.  With out hesitation the Chiefs committed launching themselves back into the contenders seat.  Though the Chiefs have a new head coach and finally a reliable QB, the face of the franchise still belongs to RB Larry Johnson.  If Todd Haley can find away to open a good relationship with Johnson, and make Johnson realize the potential he has in the league, the Chiefs could emerge as an 11 game winner this season.  My pick for best new head coach of the 2009 season goes to Todd Haley.

The New York Jets hired the Defensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens Rex Ryan to come in and add some tenacity to the defensive side of the ball.  Ryan plans to do just that, changing the mentality of the Jets to s run first, field position type of team.  Ryan will have his plate full as the jets plan on starting rookie first round draft pick Mark Sanchez at starting quarterback.  Rookie quarterbacks tend to turn the ball over more than often and, the defense will be on the field more than the offense for the jets this year.  Not to mention the Jets are forced to play the Patriots and Tom Brady twice a year as well as the Miami Dolphins.  Rex Ryan will make the Jets a defensive presence soon just not in 2009, i see the Jets and Rex Ryan finishing last in the division, just below the Buffalo Bills.