Which fresh face has had the biggest impact on his new team?

Sean Salisbury

Drew Bledsoe Not only do I believe that Bledsoe has had the most significant impact on his new team, right now, I believe he's the league's MVP. Clearly, he has found peace of mind in Buffalo. Bledsoe's leadership abilities have been the difference-maker in the Bills' confidence and ability to win games. His teammates have rallied around him -- and many are having career years because of him. With a win over the Patriots on Sunday, the Bills should make the playoffs.

Mark Schlereth

Drew Bledsoe He's taken the Bills, who won just three games last season, and given them the confidence that they can win any game anywhere because of the guy who's at the helm. When your quarterback has that kind of attitude and presence, it helps you to exude confidence as team. You're secure to the extent that, if you make a mistake, you know Bledsoe can hoist you on his back and make up for those mistakes. This allows a team to not be timid or play tentatively. It allows a team to be aggressive. Bledsoe has had this effect on the Bills. That's why his acquisition in the offseason was the biggest gain for any team.

Andrea Kremer

Marty Schottenheimer The Chargers have the best record in the AFC (6-1), a position no one would have predicted at the onset of the season. When you consider how he finished down the stretch last year with Washington, he has one of the NFL's best coaching won-loss records over the equivalent of a 16-game season (12-4, with Green Bay's Mike Sherman 13-3 in his last 16 regular-season games). Schottenheimer was decisive with the quarterback situation, installing young Drew Brees as the starter over veteran Doug Flutie and ensuring that there was no controversy. He's playing "Marty-ball" at its best, with the offensive load shouldered by running back LaDainian Tomlinson. Defensively, his pickup of free agent linebacker Donnie Edwards, plus the drafting of linebacker Ben Leber and cornerback Quentin Jammer (despite his holdout), have made a good defense a potentially dominant one. Schottenheimer has made all the right moves through the first half of the season, although it remains to be seen if he can get the playoff monkey off his back. Can one of his teams finally make it to the Super Bowl? Stay tuned.

Mark Malone

Joey Harrington He came off the bench with high expectations and, to a certain extent, has lived in the shadow of David Carr and Carr's successes against the Dallas Cowboys. Harrington has been faced with a difficult situation. Detroit doesn't have lots of talent, and wide receiver Germane Crowell (a big target for Detroit) missed the first six weeks of the season recovering from injury. Harrington has played extremely well under a great deal of pressure. He's shown courage and composure in the pocket -- and he's learned on the run (literally). To perform the way he has is very admirable.

Merril Hoge

Marty Schottenheimer In eight weeks, Schottenheimer has not only taught the Chargers how to win, he's also created the expectation of winning. That usually takes years to accomplish. I remember watching the Chargers in their first preseason game this year -- they were just horrible. Now, I can't believe the transformation. Schottenheimer has brought a respectability to San Diego. He had respect coming in, but he has since been able to get his team to buy into what he's selling. It may sound like a cliché, but Schottenheimer stresses taking it one play at a time. For example, in brutally hot Arizona conditions, the Chargers were able to stop the Cardinals on the goal line, which was a turning point in the game. No one can pronounce himself a leader -- leadership must be earned. Schottenheimer has earned the respect of his players based on what he's taught them this season. And they, in turn, are responding.

Mike Golic

Drew Bledsoe After a quick perusal of the league, I believe Bledsoe has had the biggest impact on his new team. Right now, many people believe Bledsoe is the midseason MVP. He has made the most of his great weapons: Peerless Price, Eric Moulds, Larry Centers and Josh Reed. Bledsoe has certainly rejuvenated a Bills' team that only won three games last year. Because they can put points on the board, the Bills will be in every game. Another consideration is Ricky Williams' impact in Miami, but ultimately, I think Bledsoe is the man.