New NFL Coaches: Offense, Quarterback Play Focus Of Teams; Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills

There are some interesting statistics surrounding the eight newly hired NFL coaches.

Seven of the eight coaches are beginning their new jobs as first-time NFL head coaches, and six spent many years as top NFL assistants. Those six also have direct ties to some of the top current and former quarterbacks in NFL history, and have a strong background in running an offense.

Nearly each of the new hires, with the exception of Gus Bradley joining the Jacksonville Jaguars, also suggests that teams are embracing the NFL’s trend of high-flying, pass-heavy offenses. The moves also show teams may continue to skimp on costly quarterbacks. To start the 2012 season, expensive veterans were passed over for cheaper, younger players and low draft picks.

These new coaches may be asked to make do with the talent on hand, rather than suggest general managers sign veteran quarterbacks.

Arizona Cardinals, Bruce Arians

Though he was technically a head coach in 2012 it was on an interim basis. Arians played a significant role in the development or quarterback Andrew Luck during his rookie season.

It was the second time Arians tutored a young signal caller. In four of his eight years with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Arians helped Ben Roethlisberger become one of the NFL’s most complete and accurate passers.

Quarterback and the offense overall was Arizona’s biggest trouble last season. Four quarterbacks started due to injury and porous play, and the next draft is not seen as loaded with skill-player talent. It will be interesting to see who or how Arians develops.

Buffalo Bills, Doug Marrone

The first college coach snapped up in the first week after Black Monday, Marrone spent several years as an NFL assistant, including three years with Drew Brees as offensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints.

Brees was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2008, and in Marrone’s final season before he went to Syracuse. Marrone also has a proven knack with young talent. Orange senior quarterback Ryan Nassib saw his total passing yards, completion percentage, and touchdowns increase every season during Marrone’s four-year tenure.

Depending on Buffalo’s plans, Marrone could look to improve Ryan Fitzpatrick’s play, or the team could look for a new quarterback via the draft.

Chicago Bears, Marc Trestman

The main reason the Bears parted ways with Lovie Smith was due to poor offensive production that kept them out of the playoffs.

Trestman can change that. He was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach with the San Francisco 49ers from 1995 to 1996, and worked extensively with Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young. During those two years, Young led the league in completion percentage. Young publicly praised Trestman after he was hired, going so far as to compare him to current Washington head coach Mike Shanahan.

The 57-year-old has some work to do with Jay Cutler, who hasn’t finished higher than 17th in passing yards in three seasons.

Cleveland Browns, Rob Chudzinski

Previously the offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers, Chudzinski helped Cam Newton post one of the most remarkable and record-breaking rookie seasons ever by a quarterback. He also spent two seasons with the San Diego Chargers under current Cleveland Browns' offensive coordinator Norv Turner, and helped in the development of Philip Rivers.

As a tandem, Chudzinski and Turner could also help 29-year-old Brandon Weeden become a dangerous passer.

Kansas City Chiefs, Andy Reid

The only former NFL head coach of the bunch, Reid’s 14 seasons with Philadelphia and his work with Donovan McNabb may give Chief fans hopes he can turn their team around. McNabb made six Pro Bowls and a earned a trip to the Super Bowl under Reid.

Kansas City owns the top pick in this year’s draft, but may improve their offensive line to help running back Jamaal Charles, and then look for a project quarterback in the second or third round. Like Arizona, Kansas City had serious trouble at quarterback, with Matt Cassel and Brady Quinn struggling most of the season.

Either way, Reid’s influence can only strengthen a Chiefs offense that was last in points and 24th in total yards per game last season.

Philadelphia Eagles, Chip Kelly

Regarded as an offensive guru, Kelly’s signing with the Eagles shocked everyone after it appeared the coach pulled himself out of the running two weeks ago. But the move could be a massive coup for the Eagles. Kelly’s quick-strike schemes are already apart of NFL playbooks, and he does have some experience with Philadelphia’s suspected starter for next season Nick Foles, and he also admires Michael Vick.

During Foles's three seasons at Arizona, Kelly got to see a young Pac-12 quarterback who improved his passing yards, touchdowns, passer rating every year.

However, it's unclear what Kelly will do. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Kelly may be looking for another quarterback.

San Diego Chargers, Mike McCoy

Peyton Manning had a career year under McCoy in Denver, and while it would be hard to so say who had more influence, both had a huge effect on each other’s career. McCoy also turned Jake Delhomme into a Super Bowl starter during his time with Carolina, and nearly toppled the New England Patriots in 2004

Like Trestman, McCoy will try to get the best out of a talented veteran quarterback in Rivers, who has fallen on hard times of late. Rivers has thrown 35 interceptions the last two years, and posted his lowest touchdown total since 2007.

Jacksonville Jaguars, Gus Bradley

The only defensive-minded choice. During Bradley's four seasons as the Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator, the squad improved every year, including a league-best 15.3 points given up per game in 2012.

Bradley has a huge task ahead of him, considering the Jaguars were 30th in yards and 29th in points allowed per game.