Scott Engel tells you how key NFL coaching changes will affect your fantasy strategies in 2008.

It's obvious that, with new head coaches and offensive coordinators, there will be alterations in offensive scheming and philosophies. Here's a quick-hitting look at the new bosses and offensive architects in place for the 2008 season, with a prime focus on how their approaches will play into fantasy outlooks.

Atlanta: Mike Smith is the new head guy, but the offense will be in the hands of coordinator Mike Mularkey, a former Buffalo head coach and Pittsburgh offensive coordinator. Look for Mularkey to center his offense around Michael Turner in an effort to take pressure off his quarterbacks. He will also employ a variety of looks to keep opposing defenses off balance, but Mularkey certainly does not want to overwhelm Matt Ryan, assuming he plays extensively in his first pro season. Smith comes over from Jacksonville, where he was the defensive coordinator, but he was in an environment where a simple, run-based approach worked well. That should be the philosophy he wants Mularkey to execute, considering the lack of experience and proven standouts in the passing game. Turner should be a good RB2 in fantasy under the new regime.

Baltimore: John Harbaugh is the new head coach, and Cam Cameron is back to being an offensive coordinator after his miserable season in Miami. Cameron helped make Ronnie Brown look very good on an awful team (when he was healthy last year), which bodes well for Willis McGahee. Cameron did not have an impressive offensive line in Miami, and he won't have one in Baltimore. He also inherits another very questionable passing game. Cameron will demand large responsibility and improved pass-catching production from McGahee. While Cameron's scheming and approach should mean some good outings for McGahee, the Baltimore RB could also get a lot of defensive attention, so any injury would not be a major surprise. Harbaugh is another defensive-minded guy who will let Cameron take the reins of the offense, but there simply isn't enough talent to expect any solid production in the passing game.

Buffalo: Turk Schonert was promoted from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator, and he should employ a more aggressive attack than did his predecessor. That means getting Marshawn Lynch more involved as a pass-catcher and raising his fantasy production to the point where he is a dependable RB1. Trent Edwards will compensate for the lack of receiving depth by spreading the ball around more, and that should make him a good fantasy backup. Unfortunately, Lee Evans will still be inconsistent, and rookie James Hardy cannot be considered an immediate impact player. Buffalo's receivers all have distinctive qualities, and while none of them except Evans are good all-around receivers right now, Schonert will help Edwards play to the strengths of each pass-catcher to make the air game more respectable.

Detroit: Mike Martz's circus act is gone, and Jim Colletto was promoted from offensive line coach in an apparent move to simplify things and achieve more balance. With problems still remaining on the line and no true workhorse or outstanding power presence at running back, the change may not yield the desired results. As a rookie, Kevin Smith won't always shine based on opportunity alone. Jon Kitna will still get hit a lot and make many turnovers, but the numbers of Calvin Johnson will inflate, especially when the Lions have to play catch-up. Smith and the running game will disappear in those instances, so consistency (or lack thereof) will be the issue for you to consider.

Houston: Head coach Gary Kubiak gets the most out of a team with few high-quality personnel. He has enhanced the coaching staff with the addition of Alex Gibbs as assistant head coach and the promotion of quarterbacks coach Kyle Shanahan to offensive coordinator. Gibbs is an offensive line guru, who was brought in to help the running game improve, but Houston doesn't have the running backs needed to help him execute a major upgrade. Shanahan will still work heavily with the quarterbacks and can only help Matt Schaub have a breakthrough season. He's the youngest offensive coordinator in the league at 28, but there are no real worries with Kubiak still clearly in charge.

Kansas City: Chan Gailey, the new offensive coordinator, isn’t going to fool anyone. He has to depend on Larry Johnson, and that is no major revelation. With an unreliable offensive line and weak passing game, Gailey can't help too much. Johnson appears destined for a frustrating season.

Miami: Mainly because his air game is so weak, new head coach Tony Sparano and offensive coordinator Dan Henning will put the emphasis on controlling the clock with a hard-hitting running game and a controlled passing attack. Ronnie Brown will be worked hard in his return to action, and he is sure to face a lot of defensive attention. Ricky Williams will also be used a lot to keep Brown from getting overworked and to give defenses different runners for whom to prepare. Brown should see more catches out of the backfield and will be a quality No. 2 fantasy running back, while Williams can be a better-than-expected flex player. There's a dearth of proven performers at wideout, but Derek Hagan could be a sleeper, moving the chains often if he starts dropping the ball less.

San Francisco: The hiring of Martz as the new offensive coordinator has gotten the attention of fantasy leaguers, more than any other coaching move. His arrival should mean continued high-quality production from the versatile Frank Gore, but don’t expect any major miracles. The quarterback situation still has to be worked out, and his best receivers are a has-been (Isaac Bruce), who will finally start to fade without a solid supporting cast, and a player who has yet to live up to his potential (tight end Vernon Davis.) Although Davis may indeed improve and Shaun Hill can emerge as a decent fantasy backup, you can't expect any significant strides forward offensively based on Martz's past.  He needs more true playmakers, and Gore could be an injury risk if Martz overuses him.

St. Louis: The offense should play up to its potential under new coordinator Al Saunders, who will fully emphasize the all-around strengths of Steven Jackson and add a spark in the passing game with a more aggressive approach. Torry Holt will have yet another good season, and Drew Bennett and Randy McMichael could contribute significantly more than they did last year. Jackson is a top-three overall pick this year, and Bennett and McMichael can at least be adequate fantasy options.

Tennessee: Mike Heimerdinger returns in an attempt to bring more balance back into the offense, but it simply may not be possible. The receiving crew is too thin, and the erratic outings will continue from Vince Young. LenDale White should improve regardless of Heimerdinger's presence.  This team needed to add playmakers more than they need a new guy on the sidelines.

Washington: Sherman Smith is the new offensive coordinator, but the focus here is all about installing new head coach Jim Zorn's style of the West Coast offense. The results won’t be immediate in the passing game, as it will take time for Jason Campbell to adjust. To make that more of a challenge, his receivers are either veterans with question marks or unproven youngsters. The tight end is a key in the Zorn offense, which means Chris Cooley will have another good year. Clinton Portis will amass good overall numbers again, because he will shoulder a heavy load, as that overused phrase goes.

Scott Engel was brought in to add some new schemes in RotoExperts' fantasy coverage, but Ben Ice still is the mastermind behind the site. Scott is studying Tommy Landry's playbook as you read this. E-mail Scott at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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