NFL stars are who they are today not only because of their unique skill sets but also because they are put in a position to succeed by a coaching staff that builds their offense around what that player does best.  Often however in the era of free-agency and trade you will see a once prominent fantasy stud turn into a productive but not so stud like player.  A prime example of such occurred this offseason when Jimmy Graham who has arguably been the No.1 or No.2 tight end in all of fantasy football over the past few seasons was shockingly traded from the Drew Brees led, pass happy offense of the New Orleans Saints to the ground and pound style off offensive that is the Seattle Seahawks.  The simple change in coaching system has hurt the potential fantasy value of a once great fantasy player.  Jeff Mans delves into this top further and looks to identify which player fit and do not fit in their current teams system in the Fantasy Alarm NFL Draft Guide Coaching Systems article.

Here is a sample of some of the content inside the BRAND NEW 2015 Fantasy Alarm Fantasy Football Draft Guide that is on newsstands now and available online RIGHT HERE. 

 

Draft Guide: Coaching Systems

By Jeff Mans

I say it every year, and every year I am flabbergasted by the lack of attention that head coaches, coordinators and offensive and defensive systems get among fantasy football players. Look at an NFL team as you would a movie. A movie could have every famous actor and actress that you can imagine, but if the script is a piece of garbage, then so too is that movie. Every team in the NFL uses a script called a playbook. If the playbook is sound and it suits the personnel taking part in its development, then the chances for success are high. But if you try and take Adam Sandler and put him in The Kings Speech, chances are it is going to fail.

Head coaches are the directors of the film. They are the ones who build a staff, implement the systems and choose the actors who will bring their ideas to life. If a director doesn’t have a proper script, then a vision of what they wish to see and a cast who will fulfill that prophecy is doomed to fail.

Football is one of the only sports where it isn’t just about God-given ability or even pure talent. Every player that steps out onto an NFL field is a historically amazing athlete. However, they just aren’t going to work out for the team or for your fantasy squad if they don’t have a good script, good directors and aren’t a good fit with the rest of the cast.

With this in mind, let’s take a closer look at each NFL team’s coaching staff and see which tickets we’ll be purchasing this season.

 

ARIZONA CARDINALS

Head Coach – Bruce Arians (3rd Year)

Offensive Coordinator – Harold Goodwin (3rd Year)

Defensive Coordinator – James Bettcher (1st Year)

Offensive System – Air Coryell

Offense Breakdown: Arians runs the offense and has a pass-heavy playbook that results in good numbers for his quarterbacks. Legendary offensive coordinator Tom Moore is the assistant coach and basically the passing game coordinator. Harold Goodwin is more of an offensive line coach then true offensive coordinator. The Cardinals believe in a power run game setup to complement their wide-open passing attack. The Bruce Arians/Tom Moore way involves the quarterback having complete control of where he wants to deliver the football within the route tree. There will be major fluctuations in production amongst wide receivers when you have a quarterback who changes his mind more often than directions that the wind blows. The good news for fantasy owners is that Arians has preferred to utilize one running back as the main ball carrier. However, with the addition of David Johnson, I have a feeling that we will see more of a committee approach with Johnson and Andre Ellington in 2015.

Players That Fit The System: Logan Thomas, David Johnson, John Brown

 

Defensive System: 3-4

Defense Breakdown: The Cardinals suffered some losses on defense this offseason, most notably their coordinator Todd Bowles who is now the head coach for the Jets. Taking over is 37-year-old James Bettcher who doesn’t have a lot of experience but has proven to be a pass rush strategist and wizard in getting the most out of his linebackers.

Players That Fit The System: Kevin Minter, Tyrann Mathieu

You can read the rest of this article and much more by purchasing the Fantasy Alarm NFL Draft Guide found HERE