NFL's New Coaches

NFL's New Coaches
By Mike Brody
Posted: 6:30 am PDT 2006-07-06

Every year, several NFL teams trot out new coaches, optimistic that they will change the fortunes of struggling teams. This season is no different as 10 new head coaches will lead their teams into battle.

Usually the coaching carousel turns up familiar faces in new places. This season, however, seven of the 10 are head coaches for the first time in their NFL careers. Some will make an immediate impact, while others may wish they never took on the huge responsibility.

The coach who steps into the best situation is Kansas City's Herman Edwards. The former leader of the Jets inherits a team that went 10-6 last year -- just missing the playoffs -- and looks ready to take that next step. The Chiefs also boast one of the most potent offenses in the league, led by budding superstar RB Larry Johnson. Despite not starting the first seven games of the season, Johnson rushed for 1,750 yards and 20 TDs last year, including nine straight 100-yard games to close the season.

Kansas City's problem last year -- and the last several years -- has been on the defensive side of the ball. Edwards, who played cornerback in the league for eight seasons, brings a defensive approach to the Chiefs. He has made it clear that every spot on the roster is up for grabs. "As a professional, if you can't get better and grow, somebody else is going to take your job," he said.

He conducted the team's final offseason practice in a driving rainstorm that would have sent former coach Dick Vermeil running for the cover of the indoor practice facility last season. "It was kind of fitting that practice ended with these kinds of conditions," Edwards said. "You have to play in the rain; no doubt about it. You have to be able to function in these conditions, so it was a good test for us."

Edwards had a 39-41 record with the Jets and led them to the playoffs in 2001, 2002 and 2004. Look for the Chiefs to challenge the Broncos in the AFC West and be Super Bowl contenders again. Kansas City's odds on Wagerweb.com to win the Super Bowl: $+1800.

Another new coach with pressure to win immediately is Minnesota's Brad Childress. Childress has 28 years of experience as a college and pro coach, including nine in the NFL. This, however, will be his first head coaching stint at any level.

He is known as an offensive guru, and he will need to pass along all his knowledge to a team that has a lost a lot of offensive firepower the past few seasons. Despite the departure of talented players such as Daunte Culpepper, Randy Moss, Nate Burleson and Michael Bennett, Childress believes offensive success comes from building a foundation with the offensive line. He looks to have done that with the addition of Pro Bowl left guard Steve Hutchinson, who will play along side center Matt Birk and left tackle Bryant McKinnie.

Childress had been with the Eagles for the past seven seasons -- serving as their offensive coordinator the past four. During his tenure in Philadelphia, the Eagles represented the NFC in Super Bowl XXXIX, amassed a 70-42 (.625) record in the regular season, won four straight NFC East titles from 2001-04 and advanced to the playoffs from 2000-04. Another reason the Vikings might have been attracted to him is that since joining the Eagles in 1999, Childress' teams have a 13-1 mark against NFC North teams, including playoff wins over Chicago, Green Bay and Minnesota.

The Vikings will challenge the Bears for the division crown as Childress brings excitement back to the Twin Cities. Minnesota's bodog.com odds to win the NFC North are 5/2.

Expectations also will be high in St. Louis as another "offensive genius," Scott Linehan, takes over. The Rams are coming off a disappointing 6-10 season and are turning to a guy with no head coaching experience. Linehan was the offensive coordinator for the Vikings from 2002-2004 before taking the same position for the Miami Dolphins last season.

Under Linehan, the Vikings' offense ranked No. 1 overall in the NFL in 2003. The Vikings followed that up with a No. 4 overall ranking in 2004 when Culpepper put together one of the greatest passing seasons of all-time, posting the fourth highest passer rating (110.9) and fifth most touchdown passes (39) in NFL single-season history.

While this Rams team isn't "the greatest show on turf" that went to back-to-back Super Bowls in 2000 and 2001, St. Louis still has an explosive offense for Linehan to work his magic. QB Marc Bulger will have plenty of opportunities to hit Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce for big plays, and RB Stephen Jackson should blossom under the new system.

The key for the Rams will be upgrading the defense. Linehan has brought in former New Orleans Saints head coach Jim Haslett to run that unit. St. Louis had only 42 takeaways combined the last two seasons, an area that Haslett's attacking style should immediately improve. Newly acquired linebacker Will Witherspoon likes what he sees: "I think this is going to be a great system. Guys are making strides every day."

If the defense doesn't improve, Linehan and the Rams could be in for another rough year as they try to overtake the NFC champion Seattle Seahawks and hold off the up-and-coming Arizona Cardinals in the NFC West. Wagerweb.com's over/under for St. Louis wins is seven.

The other new head coaches include:

Mike McCarthy, Green Bay Packers -- The Packers are coming off their worst season in the Brett Favre era (4-12). They have many questions, including finding a No. 1 receiver and a running back who can stay healthy. They did improve their defense with first-round pick A.J. Hawk, but Favre will have to pull off several miracles if he wants to close his Hall of Fame career on a winning note.

Art Shell, Oakland Raiders -- Shell returns to Oakland, where he was the head coach from 1989-1994. The former All-Pro offensive lineman was 54-38 in his first stint with the Raiders and led them to the playoffs in 1990, '91 and '93. Randy Moss and LaMont Jordan will make any coach like his chances, but relying on Aaron Brooks to run the team can't be a good feeling. Look for the Raiders to struggle again this season.

Sean Payton, New Orleans Saints -- Another first-time head coach, Payton has the task of restoring the Saints as New Orleans continues to rebuild. Having Reggie Bush drop in his lap was a nice way to start his tenure. If Drew Brees can get healthy and Payton can find a way to get Bush and Deuce McAllister the ball, the Saints (3-13) will rebound from last year's devastation and be respectable.

Eric Mangini, New York Jets -- Maybe the toughest job for all of the new head coaches belongs to Mangini. He takes over an aging group of players in a division with two Super Bowl contenders -- New England and Miami. Mangini, 35, becomes the youngest head coach in the league and has only one season under his belt as a coordinator (2005, defensive coordinator, New England). With RB Curtis Martin's best days behind him and QB Chad Pennington trying to recover from yet another arm injury, the Jets will be hard-pressed to improve on last year's 4-12 season.

Gary Kubiak, Houston Texans -- It's never easy taking over an expansion team -- which Houston still qualifies as in its fifth season. The former NFL quarterback had a lot of success as the offensive coordinator in Denver the past few seasons and should help the young Texans improve on that side of the ball. His first move as a coach has been highly criticized -- and for good reason -- as he passed on Reggie Bush in the draft and opted for defensive end Mario Williams. He better hope Williams is another Julius Peppers, or his stay in Houston will be a short one.

Rod Marinelli, Detroit Lions -- Marinelli is respected throughout the league and helped develop one of the most dominating defenses in the NFL for Tampa Bay the past 10 years. Since Matt Millen took over the club after the 2000 season the Lions have been a joke, winning just 21 games in those five seasons. They have talent, but it's going to be hard for Marinelli to change the losing culture.

Dick Jauron, Buffalo Bills -- The Bills recycled former Bears coach Jauron to try to right their ship. Jauron has had a lot of success as a defensive coordinator, but not much as a head coach. Take out the 2001 season when Chicago surprisingly went 13-3, and Jauron has twice as many losses as wins as a head coach (23-46). The Bills are a bad team and will be battling the Jets to stay out of the AFC East cellar.

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