NFL 2016: Hello My Name is Doug Pederson and Your Fantasy Football Team Will Love Me Because I am Not Chip Kelly

Okay so maybe that is overstating it a little bit.  I mean we really loved Chip Kelly the first season he was in Philadelphia.  And there is reason to believe that Doug Pederson’s ascension to head coach has more to do with the getting rid of the putrid taste of the Kelly era than hiring the best head coaching candidate.  So the Philadelphia Eagles gained a new coach and are losing the reminders of the last one.

Andy Reid’s protegee is now in control.  What does that mean for your fantasy team?

Resume:

2005-2008  Calvary Baptist Academy Head Coach

2009-2010  Philadelphia Eagles quality control coach

2011-2012    Philadelphia Eagle quarterbacks coach

2013-2015  Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator

Fantasy Football Implications

Forget that ESPN ranked Pederson as the NFL’s worst coaching hire.  But why?  Basically, there is the feeling that the Eagles went for familiar-like instead of experience.  Pederson has only been a head coach at the high school level.  His time in the NFL has been in the shadow of Brett Favre and Andy Reid.  He was the back-up to Favre.  As a starter his quarterback record was 3-14.  He then became a high school head coach.  And then the protegee of Reid.  Now, being Reid’s protegee isn’t all bad, except it hasn’t given Pederson much to bank on.  Reid is always the voice of the offense.

So what does the hold for your fantasy team’s probability.

Since it is almost certain the Pederson will rely heavily on his coordinators, here is what he has accumulated:

Frank Reich-Offensive Coordinator

Jim Schwartz-Defensive Coordinator

Dave Fipp-Special Teams Coordinator

Acquisitions and Departures

Offensive line:  acquired guard Brandon Brooks from Houston Texans

Running Backs: lost DeMarco Murray in trade with Tennessee Titans

Tight Ends: resigned Zach Ertz and Brent Celek

Wide Receivers: released Riley Cooper; acquired Chris Givens from Los Angeles Rams

Quarterback: traded Mark Sanchez to the Denver Broncos: resigned Sam Bradford; signed Chase Daniels from Kansas City Chiefs

What Can It Mean

Offensive coordinator Reich spent the last two seasons with the San Diego Chargers.  Last season with Reich calling plays the Chargers offense was the fourth best passing offense and the ninth ranked offense.  But they were also last in rushing and 26th in scoring.

Last season with Pederson as offensive coordinator, the Chiefs were 6th in rushing yards per game.  They were also 27th in yards per game and 30th in passing yards per game.

So it is unclear who will do they play calling, although even money says it will be Reich.  Even so Pederson commands our attention now.

Last season the Chiefs passed 59 percent of the time.  Pederson has repeatedly stated, “Quarterbacks today have the ability to think with their brain…”.  He seemingly wants to implement a bigger playbook that allows the quarterback to adjust the play when needed.  The past offense did not allow that freedom.  But for a glimpse of what could be possible, interim head coach Pat Shurmur did allow it.  And the results?  In the final game of last season, Bradford completed a season high 78.9 percent of his passes when he was allowed to change or adjust play at the line of scrimmage.

Who will be the starting quarterback Bradford or Daniels?   Pederson wanted Daniels in the fold.  And with the departure of Sanchez, there could be a valid quarterback battle brewing in Philadelphia.  Now is some instances that is bad.  This is not the case.  Pederson helped make Alex Smith relevant.  Pederson has gone on record as saying that he believes Daniels can be a starting quarterback.  Daniels has been vocal about his desire and belief to be a starting quarterback.  Daniels has started two games in his career.  His record is 1-1.    The quarterback situation could be worse.

Lost of Murray?  No problem.  Murray was outperformed by Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles last season.  Mathews rushed for 539 yards last season.  He averaged 5.0 yards a carry with six touchdowns.  Sproles excelled on special teams as well as being as asset in the passing game.

Pederson saw the proficiency of Jamaal Charles and the emergence of Charcandrick West.  And Reich familiarity with Mathews is an added bonus .

So you have an offensive coordinator whose offense was fourth in passing and last in rushing.  He is coupled with a head coach whose last offense was sixth in rushing and 30th in passing?

The Eagles have the talent.  Pederson is not Kelly and in Philadelphia that is a good thing.  Pederson is looking to emerge from the shadow of Reid.  Your fantasy team is looking to shake off the stench of the Kelly offense.  Can it work?

This is one offense that could make your fantasy dreams come true.  I am betting on a couple of fantasy sleepers coming out of this team.  Stay tuned we got you.

Next up Hue Jackson.

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