New NFL Head Coaches in 2010 and What to Expect
Last year we had eleven first-year head coaches debutingwith a new team but this year we only have three. I go in depth on what you can expect from these teams going forward this season.We count Mike Shanahan as he will be coaching the Washington Redskins for the very first time. I personally thought Mike Shanahan would have been a great fit in Dallas but Jerry Jones decided to keep Wade Phillips. We’ll see how that goes come playoff time. On to the new sheriffs in town!
Washington Redskins: Mike Shanahan
Mike Shanahan was signed to a five-year, $35 million contract and brings in a career record of 138-86in the regular season. He will command respect for sure. Washington has never really looked to win in the Preseason or be competitive for that matter. Everything changes in the preseason for the Redskins with Shananan taking over as head coach. Shananan is one of the winningest coaches in the preseason and wants hisplayers to have that winning feeling going into their first regular season game.
I would expect the Redskins to be much improved this year and it will start in the preseason. Especially in his final preseason game where Shananan has always played this game to win. His 6-2 straight-up and 8-1 ATS record is evidence of that. This years finale is on Sept. 2nd on the road against a Cardinals’ team that has lost their closing preseason game the last four straightyears. The Redskins will play the 8th toughest regular season schedule as their foes went 134-122 (.527) in 2009.
Key Stat: The Redskins went 0-6 SUvs. the NFC East last season. That will not happen again. Keep an eye on the Redskins first division homegame of the season. That would be week #1 vs. Dallas on Sunday Night Football.
My Prediction:
9-7SU& ATS(Tied for 2nd in the NFC East).
Seattle Seahawks: Pete Carroll
Pete Carroll wasofficially hired as the Seahawks head coach on January 11th, 2010. He has a career record of 83-19 in College Football and 33-31 during his time in the NFL from 1994-99. It will takea littletime but I believe he’s a great fit for Seattle. I have been to many USC practices and his style is conducive to winning. On offense, Carroll is known for using an aggressive, non-conservative play-calling that is open to trick plays. On Defense,he favors a bend-but-don’t-break scheme of preventing the big plays– allowing opposing teams to get small yardage but trying to keep the plays in front of his defenders.
His happy go lucky style takes pressure off his playerswhen times are tough.Pete loves to create competition at every position. He preaches that every day and wants his guys to compete at the highest level they know how. For this reason alone the Seahawks will be much more competitive than last year. I really like this team as a sleeper in the NFC West.Theywere”banged up” as any team in the NFL last year. Seattle will play the 29th toughest regular seasonschedule (3rdeasiest)as their foes went 116-140 (.453) in 2009.
Key Stat: Seattle is on a perfect 10-0 ATS run in all preseason games. If you see the Seahawks start fast under Carroll jump on them the rest of the preseason.
MyPrediction:10-6 SU & 10-6 ATS(First Place in the NFC West)
Buffalo Bills: Chan
Gailey
Chan Gailey was introduced as the 15th head coach of the Buffalo Bills on January 19th 2010 and brings a career record of 18-14 in two seasons with Dallas.Gailey was previouslyhired on January 16th, 2008 to become the offensive coordinator of the Kansas City Chiefs. He was demoted after three preseason games in 2009 and relieved of play-calling duties by head coach Todd Haley. Last season saw ChanGailey take a year off from football.
When Chan coached the Cowboys in 1998-99 he had no interest in preseason games, going 2-8 against the spread. This team hasn’t made the playoffs since 1999, whichwas Chan Gailey’s last season as an NFLhead coach. It’s going to be another long season in Buffalo especially with a very shaky offensive line. They went 6-10 in 2009, 7-9 in 2008, 7-9 in 2007, and another 7-9 three years ago. There are some winnable games outside the division as Buffalo is slated to play the 16th toughest regular seasonschedule this season. Theiropponents went 128-128 (.500)in 2009.
Key Stat: The Bills are a perfect 6-0 against the spread in Week #1 of the preseason over the past six years. This years play ison Aug. 13th but the Bills will be facing the Redskins. Tough call.See above!
My Prediction: 4-12 SU&6-10 ATS (Last Place in the AFC East)
Good Luck thisFootball season!
Jeff H./JHSportsline.com