Steve Spagnuolo’s first taste of the NFL came in 1983 as a player personnel intern with the Washington Redskins. Though he wasn’t coaching, it was an experience that remained with him as he watched the Redskins take the NFC title and appear in Super Bowl XVIII under legendary coach Joe Gibbs. Following that one season as an intern, Spagnuolo began coaching at the collegiate level. He spent the 1984-1986 seasons as a defensive backs and special teams coach at Lafayette. He then worked from 1987-1991 coaching defensive backs, and later taking on the position of defensive coordinator, at the University of Connecticut.

In 1992 Spagnuolo made his first venture into coaching at the pro level. Though he wasn’t in the NFL, he spent that year as a defensive line and special teams coach with the Barcelona Dragons of the World League of American Football – an NFL affiliate program. A year later he worked as a scout for the San Diego Chargers. Over the next six seasons Spagnuolo returned to coaching at the collegiate ranks. He spent two years each at Maine, Rutgers, and Bowling Green working with defensive backs at each stop. In 1998 he again coached at the pro level in an NFL affiliate program, this time as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the Frankfurt Galaxy of the NFL Europe League. Following the 1998 season, Spagnuolo joined the NFL ranks as a member of Andy Reid’s staff with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Spagnuolo’s initial duties had him serving as a defensive assistant and quality control coach under defensive coordinator Jim Johnson, though he primarily worked with the team’s safeties. In 2001 he earned a promotion and was named defensive backs coach. Spagnuolo held that title for three seasons before taking on the responsibilities of coaching the Eagles linebackers in 2004. He remained in Philadelphia for three more years under that capacity before the New York Giants hired him as their defensive coordinator in 2007.

It didn’t take long for Spagnuolo to stamp his impression on the Giants defense upon his arrival. The unit ranked 25th in the league in yards allowed per game in 2006, but finished the 2007 season ranked 7th in that category under Spagnuolo’s guidance. They also led the league in sacks that year by producing fifty-three of them. During the Giants push through the playoffs, which eventually led to a victory against the previously undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII, Spagnuolo’s name was often mentioned as a top of the line head coaching candidate. With each week that passed however, the Giants defensive coordinator’s chances of landing a head coaching position faded as most teams had the vacancy filled upon completion of the postseason.

On the heels of a strong campaign in 2007, the Giants defensive unit followed it with another in the year that followed. They would finish the 2008 regular season ranked 5th in yards (292.0) and points (18.4) allowed per game, 8th in passing yards allowed per game (196.2), 9th in rushing yards allowed per game (95.8), and their forty-two sacks was sixth most in the league. They won the NFC East that year with a 12-4 record, but lost to the Eagles in the divisional round of the playoffs. A week later Spagnuolo was named the 25th head coach of the St. Louis Rams in their seventy-two year history.

Spagnuolo hired Pat Shurmur as his offensive coordinator shortly after being named to his new position. The two men are familiar with each other during the eight years they spent together in Philadelphia. Like Spagnuolo, Shurmur was an original member of Reid’s staff in 1999 when Reid began coaching the Philadelphia Eagles. He spent his first three seasons with the franchise coaching tight ends. During the last eight years he has tutored the likes of Donovan McNabb as Reid’s quarterbacks coach. Given Shurmur’s background, expect the Rams offense to show some similarities to that of the Eagles over the past decade.

Quarterbacks: Marc Bulger; Kyle Boller; Brock Berlin; Keith Null (R)

While factions of the Rams offense may wish to reflect that of the Eagles, don’t expect their passing game to be nearly as strong as Philadelphia’s. Defensive minded head coach Steve Spagnuolo is likely to build the team around a strong ground game and solid defensive play. Another detriment to the Rams passing attack is their offensive line, currently regarded as one of the worst in the league. With opposing defenses able to attack Bulger at will, it’ll be difficult for him to post much in the way of meaningful statistics. It’s also another reason as to why Spagnuolo will look to protect him more often than not by keeping the ball on the ground.

Furthermore, Marc Bulger’s best days are clearly behind him. He is an injury prone quarterback that hasn’t thrown for more than 2800 yards or 11 touchdowns since 2006. Bulger himself has acknowledged that this year is likely his last as a starter for the Rams if they don’t deliver a winning season. The chances of that happening are slim.

All things considered, Bulger shouldn’t be targeted in any drafts this year. Even if he makes it through the full season as a starter, his numbers aren’t going to be much better than they were during his two most recent campaigns. He’ll serve as a lower lever #2 QB at best, and will likely be on your leagues waiver wire at times throughout the season.

Running Backs: Steven Jackson; Antonio Pittman; Kenneth Darby; Mike Karney (FB); Chris Ogbonnaya (R)

Bulger may not be much of a weapon in fantasy leagues, but half back Steven Jackson is one of the elite at his position – as long he’s healthy that is. Jackson has only played in 12 games during each of the last two seasons, but he’s still managed to rush for over 1000 yards both years while recording a total of 78 receptions for 650 yards. He’s also totaled 14 touchdowns during his last 24 games played. If Jackson remained healthy throughout the full course of a year he’d be a threat to record 1800-2000 total yards with double-digit touchdowns every time.

As the featured back in Shurmur’s offense expect Jackson to see plenty of touches, both on the ground and as a receiver out of the backfield. If healthy he should easily rank among the Top 5 fantasy backs come seasons end. If you draft him, be sure to cuff him with Antonio Pittman. It’d also be wise to consider selecting running backs with your first three selections due the prospects of Jackson succumbing to injury.

Wide Receivers: Donnie Avery; Keenan Burton; Laurent Robinson; Dane Looker; Brooks Foster (R)

The Rams receivers bring us back to discussing their passing attack. Due to the limitations of both Marc Bulger and St. Louis’ offensive line, there is little possibility of more than one of their wide outs making an impact in fantasy leagues this year. The one receiver that might however, Donnie Avery, could produce stats well beyond his perceived value.

For a rookie, Avery had a fairly productive season last year. He started 12 games, recorded 54 receptions, 684 yards, and 3 touchdowns in place of the departed Isaac Bruce. At times he even out produced veteran Torry Holt and looked like the Rams go-to guy in the passing game. With Holt no longer in St. Louis, Avery is now the unquestioned number one.

Whether Keenan Burton or Laurent Robinson earns the starting nod opposite Avery, they likely won’t perform any better than a fourth or fifth option on fantasy rosters. Avery however has the potential to record about 70 receptions for 1000 yards and 5-7 touchdowns. Things may change by the time the season starts, but at the moment he’s being valued as a number three receiver in drafts and could prove to be a nice bargain if had at that price.

Tight Ends: Randy McMichael; Joe Klopfenstein; Billy Bajema

McMichael played in just four games last season, producing 11 receptions for 139 yards before suffering an injury to his right leg that forced him to miss the remainder of the year. He’s now back at 100% however, and Pat Shurmur claims to be impressed with the one time Dolphins blocking and playmaking abilities.

While McMichael may prove to be a bargain in comparison to where he’ll be drafted in most leagues this year, it’s doubtful he’ll perform as a tight end you’ll want to start on a weekly basis. The Rams passing woes will keep his numbers down even if he does factor heavily into the West Coast Offense Shurmur is implementing. He’ll be worth drafting in the later rounds and is best valued as a number two tight end to be used in combination with another on your roster should you miss out on one of the elite players at the position earlier in your draft.