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Sporting News, The, March 11, 2005
Teams use the free-agent market and the draft to reshape their rosters,
but don't overlook the importance of a new coordinator. There has been
an inordinate number of new coordinator hires this offseason as teams
try to mesh the right scheme with personnel.
OFFENSE
Keith Rowen, Arizona Dennis Green's former offensive line
coach with the Vikings will try to
get more from the ground game.
Jim Fassel, Baltimore Offense still will feature Jamal Lewis,
but Fassel wants more of a vertical
presence in the passing game.
Ron Turner, Chicago Plan is to place a heavy emphasis on
the running game to protect the
defense.
Maurice Carthon, Cleveland Wants to rely on the run to set up
play-action passes. Has to improvise
until key personnel issues are
settled.
Ted Tollner, Detroit Steve Mariucci's West Coast offense
won't change much, but Tollner will
add some wrinkles, such as the no-
huddle.
Carl Smith, Jacksonville Promises to be more dedicated to the
run than predecessor Bill Musgrave
and to better utilize Byron
Leftwich's big arm.
Scott Linehan, Miami Will have almost complete control of
the offense. Wants to run a vertical
passing game and likes single-back
sets.
Steve Loney, Minnesota Look for Loney to emphasize the running
game more, though Daunte Culpepper's
strong arm won't be forgotten.
Mike Sheppard, New Orleans Jim Haslett wants Sheppard to emphasize
the running game and complement it
with high-percentage play-action
passes.
Mike Heimerdinger, N.Y. Jets Passing game will feature more
downfield throws and shotgun
formations. Heimerdinger likes to
pound the ball, too.
Mike McCarthy, San Francisco There will be a renewed emphasis on the
fabled West Coast system, though the
passing game still has many issues.
Norm Chow, Tennessee Chow is known as a passing guru, but
Chris Brown will get plenty of
carries. Look for TE Ben Troupe to
blossom.
DEFENSE
Rex Ryan, Baltimore Expect more multiple fronts and an
attempt to create constant pressure.
Look for blitzing out of his father's
old 46 scheme.
Chuck Bresnahan, Cincinnati Will run an aggressive 4-3 but will
show some 3-4 looks to get more speed
on the field on passing downs.
Todd Grantham, Cleveland Has a strong background with the 3-4
concepts Romeo Crennel eventually
wants in place. Personnel is the
challenge.
Jim Bates, Green Bay Plays a disciplined style that calls
for little blitzing and utilizes
quick players. Likes his corners to
play bump-and-run.
Eric Mangini, New England Will run Bill Belichick's multiple-
front, two-gap scheme. Has a firm
grasp on the system's complicated
coverages.
Billy Davis, San Francisco Without personnel to fit a prototypical
3-4, team will need lively play on
the edges from linebackers and
smaller ends.
Coaching outside the box
Nick Saban once worked under Bill Belichick, who once worked under Bill Parcells. This coaching family tree is going out on the same limb in 2005: Each might take an unorthodox approach with a coordinator position.
Dolphins. Saban still hasn't nailed down the defensive coordinator job. He brought in Will Muschamp, his former LSU coordinator, to be a defensive assistant. Muschamp could be elevated to coordinator, or another veteran coordinator could be hired. In the latter scenario, the hire would be more of an overseer. Either way, Muschamp figures to have a lot of say in the calls. He understands the aggressive approach Saban prefers, particularly in pass defense.
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