Six years after his first stay in Green Bay, Mike McCarthy returns to the Packers as their head coach. In 1999 he worked for the franchise under Ray Rhodes coaching quarterback Brett Favre. Before spending a season in Green Bay, he had spent the previous six years in the Kansas City organization working with quarterbacks Joe Montana, Steve Bono, Elvis Grbac and Rich Gannon. In 2000 he was offered the offensive coordinator position with the Saints under new head coach Jim Haslett.

In the five seasons McCarthy spent running the Saints offense, Aaron Brooks produced 14,760 yards and 98 touchdowns in four seasons as the starter. That's an average of 3,690 yards, and just under 25 touchdowns a year. He also got great production at the running back position with both Ricky Williams and Deuce McAllister. Under McCarthy, the two backs were a threat to rush for 1,200 plus yards and reach double digit touchdowns a year. They were also contributors in the passing game, routinely catching anywhere from 40-55 receptions in a season.

In 2005 McCarthy left the Saints to work with Mike Nolan as the 49ers offensive coordinator. It was a difficult task to turn around an offense that was going through a major rebuilding process in just one season. McCarthy did get respectable production from the ground game however, as he used three different backs to produce 1,675 yards and 9 touchdowns.

McCarthy's Impact On The Offense:

Quarterbacks: Brett Favre; Aaron Rodgers; Ingle Martin

Brett Favre and McCarthy have worked together before and Favre has already commented on the offense, stating that the changes aren't so much with the system that will be in place, but more so with the terminology used to call the plays. Favre may not be in his prime, but he still finds himself in position to have another productive season in the NFL.

Expect McCarthy to provide Favre with more support from the ground game. With Favre carrying less of the burden on his shoulders, his yardage numbers will likely drop to the 3500-3650 range, but he could see his touchdown total climb to 25 and it is likely that his interception totals will fall below 20 once again.

Aaron Rodgers dynasty owners may have good reason to stay patient. McCarthy has worked well with different types of quarterbacks in the past, and should have a positive impact on Rodgers career. Consider grabbing rookie Ingle Martin however, as he may be able to overtake Rodgers in the future should the Cal Bear falter as the starter down the line.

Running Backs: Ahman Green; Samkon Gado; Najeh Davenport

Ahman Green, recovering from a ruptured tendon in his right quad, has already been cleared by doctors for non-contact drills with the Packers. In fact, back in May he stated doctors had told him he is two months ahead of schedule from what would be considered a reasonable recovery time for his injury.

Prior to last season's injury, Green had played in 77 of a possible 80 games over the past five years. He earned four straight trips to Hawaii from 2001-2004 and has rushed for no less than 1,100 yards since being traded to Green Bay. He has been a solid contributor as a receiver out of the backfield as well. While his reception totals have dropped in each of the past six seasons, Green has recorded as many as 73 receptions and no less than 40 (prior to last year) in his time with the Packers.

If Green is healthy enough to be running full speed in practice before the season begins, expect him to be the starter come opening day. He has been a highly productive back over the years, and is a great fit for McCarthy's offense. You'll need to monitor his status leading up to the opener, but if healthy for the entire season he could produce over 1,500 total yards and reach double digit touchdowns.

Both Samkon Gado and Najeh Davenport will be solid contributors if called upon. With Davenport recovering from a broken right ankle, expect Gado to be second on the depth chart at the start of the season and lined up in the backfield come opening day if Green is unable to go. McCarthy has devised productive ground games during the past five years as an offensive coordinator. With the talented trio of backs he has in Green Bay, he should be able to do so again.

Wide Receivers: Donald Driver; Robert Ferguson; Rod Gardner; Marc Boerigter; Greg Jennings; Cory Rodgers

Donald Driver has produced over 80 receptions and 1,200 yards in each of the past two seasons. With the departure of Javon Walker on draft day, he is sure to be Favre's favorite target again in 2006. When McCarthy first joined the Saints staff in 2000, he played a key role in creating an offense that produced a 94-catch, 1,340-yard, 8 touchdown performance from Joe Horn. Prior to joining the Saints, Horn's best season in his four year career was a 35-catch, 586-yard, 6-touchdown outing in 1999. Over the next four season's Horn went on to average 85 receptions, 1,237 yards and 9 touchdowns a year with McCarthy running the offense. Driver may not reach 9 touchdowns this season, but there is good reason to believe he'll go over 80 receptions and 1,200 yards for his third straight year.

In his four years with the Packers, Robert Ferguson has never recorded more than 40 receptions in a season and has only produced more than 500 yards once. Going into camp as a starter for the first time in his career may prove beneficial, but it's hard to imagine he'll produce consistently to be a any better than a #4 fantasy receiver. He'll also be pushed for playing time throughout the season by Rod Gardner, Marc Boerigter, and rookies Greg Jennings and Cory Rodgers. Ferguson could be a nice selection in the later rounds as a back-up, but by no means anyone to regard with high expectations.

Tight Ends: Bubba Franks; David Martin; Donald Lee

McCarthy has managed mediocre production from tight ends in his time as a coordinator. Bubba Franks may see his touchdown totals climb over five again, but none of the tight ends are likely to be consistent performers from week to week.