What do the New England Patriots hope to gain from Josh
McDaniels’ knowledge of the Denver Broncos?
Former St. Louis Rams’ offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels, will now be serving the New England Patriots as an offensive assistant, and quarterback, Tom Brady, hopes to take full advantage of this new acquisition.
McDaniels was hired by the Patriots after offensive coordinator, Bill O'Brien, signed in as the head coach for the Penn State college football team.
McDaniels will work under O'Brien for the time being and then take over as the offensive coordinator once O'Brien leaves.
McDaniels has worked as the head coach for the Denver Broncos in 2009 and that is what exactly Tom Brady hopes to capitalise on, as they get ready to face the Broncos in an American Football Conference (AFC) divisional playoff showdown this Saturday night.
Broncos’ coach, John Fox, played down on the threat exposed by McDaniels and appeared unmoved.
Fox said that McDaniels will not matter much since both the Broncos and Patriots’ team had changed.
Hence, McDaniels knowing them around will not be much of an aide to them.
"We just played them a month ago so I don't view it much differently," Fox said. "I don't know Josh very well. I wasn't here so I'm not really that familiar. I just stay in my lane. Other people make those rules. It doesn't really matter what I think."
McDaniels had long wanted to return to his former team from where he had begun his NFL career.
He enjoys a close relationship with Patriots' coach, Bill Belichick, and the ground was set for his return once O'Brien decided to move out.
Belichick was pleased to have McDaniels back on the staff and said that he was well experienced and knew the Patriots’ “system”.
McDaniels, formerly, had a long stay with the Patriots, starting from 2001.
He joined in as a defensive coaching assistant and started training the quarterbacks, including Tom Brady three years later, after which he took over as the offensive coordinator in 2006.
McDaniels proved his abilities as the Patriots went to score an NFL record for points scored and touchdowns in 2007.
So, maybe this time McDaniels can once again help the Patriots repeat their marvellous performance when they face the Broncos this Saturday night, possibly being one of the reasons why the Patriots hired him.
However, there could have been a stronger reason.
In 2009, McDaniels had moved on as the head coach for Denver Broncos where he gained a lot of familiarity with the Broncos players and particularly with Tim Tebow whom he had moved into the team then. Making McDaniels familiarity and knowledge of the Broncos
would surely give an advantage to the Patriots which is what Brady hopes to do.
Speaking to a radio station, Brady said that McDaniels “obviously” was familiar with the Broncos’ team and players whom he had coached.
Will the familiarity help the Patriots out is yet to be seen. One thing is certain and that is since both these two teams clashed just a month back, they must be quite familiar with each other already.
However, Brady seems intent on drawing as much help as possible from McDaniels’ knowledge.
It may sound a bit odd and look as if the Patriots will be taking advantage of the Broncos by hiring an assistant who knows their opponent but there are no rules in the National Football League (NFL) against such an acquisition.
“There is no league prohibition on the acquisition of players or coaches who have no contractual obligations elsewhere. Our tampering rules prohibit interfering with an employee under contract to a team.” NFL spokesman, Greg Aiello, said.
The stage is set for a confrontation between the Patriots and the Broncos and how much the former is able to capitalize through McDaniels will be determined on Saturday night.
Tags: