Before NFL teams gear up for the summer and head into pre-season battles, let’s take a look at the fresh faces around the league, and gauge what we can expect from them. Will we have the pleasure of seeing another group like Mike Smith and Matt Ryan, or John Harbuagh and Joe Flacco? Those pairs of rookie coaches and quarterbacks made a splash in their first season by reaching the playoffs, so can we expect the same from the Lions and Jets?
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
>Veteran Faces in New Places
1. Eric Mangini, Cleveland Browns
Mangini’s luck, and apparently his genius, ran out in New York. While it wasn’t completely his fault, he was still regarded as an un-orthodox play-caller, and made countless questionable decisions.
If he can get the quarterback situation right in Cleveland, though, he might have a shot at improving their record from last season. He also has enough solid defensive players already in place, and has brought in some good talent to compete.
Prediction: 7-9
2. Jim Mora Jr., Seattle Seahawks
Mora tends to be a bit too stiff and liberal with his decision-making, and it makes for an unattractive demeanor. But we can’t really blame him, considering who his father is.
The Seahawks actually have a lot of untapped talent, as well as returning players who had their 2008 seasons lost to injury. If Matt Hasselbeck can make a full recovery and return to his 2007 form, Mora may have a shot at winning the division in year one.
Prediction: 9-7
Former Interim Coaches Trying to Make It Happen
Like all of their other recent coaches, Cable and his future is a resounding toss-up. He has all the “talent” in the world, but it’s unclear whether he, or the talent itself, knows how to use it.
Cable’s success or failures will undoubtedly rest on Jamarcus Russell’s accuracy and deep ball, while Cable will countlessly consider benching him in favor of the veteran, Jeff Garcia. In the end, Garcia will step in and surprise people with a few miracle games, pulling the Raiders back to respectability. Well, it’ll be respectability for Raiders fans, anyways.
Prediction: 6-10
2. Mike Singletary, San Francisco 49ers
After his rant about “wanting winners’, while calling out prima donna tight end, Vernon Davis, the world knows Singletary is ready for this job.
Like Eric Mangini, Singletary faces the tough task of finding out which of his quarterbacks is the least likely to lose games, and ultimately Singletary’s job.
Regardless of who it is, he has a good system and is a great leader, so there should be consistent improvement on both sides of the ball.
Prediction: 8-8
The First-Timers
Ryan took hold of the Jets from day one, by inserting stars from his former team, the Baltimore Ravens. New additions, Bart Scott and Jim Leonhard will step in as immediate starters, and if they can continue their stellar play from last season, should be able to form a solid defense with the rest of the Jets defenders.
If anyone can make a formidable defense from scratch, it’s Ryan. However, with solid defenders such as Darrelle Revis, Kris Jenkins, and Calvin Pace already at his disposal, Ryan’s first year might be easier than anyone might think.
Prediction: 10-6
2. Jim Caldwell, Indianapolis Colts
There isn’t much known about Caldwell that will make your jaw drop or get you excited that he’s the new coach. What is comforting, though, is that he knows the team, he’s a good teacher, and he enforces discipline and humility.
No one can guarantee the Colts will coast through the 2009 season without missing a beat, especially with two assistant coaches retiring, but it’s fair to say the team is in safe hands. Besides, how wrong can Caldwell go with Peyton Manning on his side?
Prediction: 12-4
3. Josh McDaniels, Denver Broncos
McDaniels made quite the dramatic entrance as coach, finding a way to alienate his franchise quarterback, Jay Cutler, and then trade him-and all before training camp could begin.
The Broncos have a ton of talent on offense, but McDaniels has his work cut out for him on the defensive side. A solid draft will make the rebuilding effort go a little smoother, but he’s unlikely to be compared to Bill Belichick in his first season.
Prediction: 6-10
4. Todd Haley, Kansas City Chiefs
Haley loved his offensive coordinator position with the Cardinals, but simply couldn’t resist the unbelievably easy task of winning more than two games as an NFL Head Coach. Simply put; if he can do that, he’s already succeeded. Well, technically.
With their second consecutive solid draft, the Chiefs presumably have all the pieces to put the finishin touches on their rebuilding effort. But can Haley handle all the responsibility?
Prediction: 5-11
5. Jim Schwartz, Detroit Lions
Again, much like Haley, Schwartz walks into a perfect situation: win a game, and you’re a hero.
Schwartz is an elite defensive mind, but doesn’t exactly have the pieces on the field to put his genius on display. If his draft class even remotely pans out in his first year, though, he and the Lions could surprise a lot of people…by winning four games.
Prediction: 4-12
6. Raheem Morris, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Morris is exactly what Jon Gruden wasn’t, and that’s a good thing. While Gruden was an underrated coach, Morris brings a toughness to this team that it’s been lacking since it won the Super Bowl.
By releasing several veterans beloved by fans, including Derrick Brooks, Morris showed that he meant business, and that a rebuilding effort was in full force. The success won’t be immediate, but young talent will have the chance to grow in a sound system.
Prediction: 6-10
7. Steve Spagnuolo, St. Louis Rams
The Rams got it right this time. They brought in a coach that knows defense, and knows how to terrorize opponents’ offenses. The best part? Spagnuolo actually has a solid defensive line to work with.
If he and the Rams front office can magically put something that resembles an NFL-caliber offense on the field, they might have a chance at being competitive in year one. However, if Marc Bulger stays at quarterback, five wins will be a huge achievement.
Prediction: 5-11
