NFL.com - Top 10 Offensive Coordinators

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...rv-turner-among-top-10-offensive-coordinators

Josh McDaniels, New England Patriots

There isn't a play-caller in football who gets more out of an overachieving unit than McDaniels. WhileTom Brady and Rob Gronkowski give McDaniels a solid foundation to build around, the fact is, thePatriots don't have as many blue-chip weapons as many of their counterparts. This puts immense pressure on McDaniels to generate a game plan that uses a systematic approach to create opportunities for playmakers on the perimeter. He'll use a number of inverted formations (TE or RB flexed outside of the WR) from various personnel groupings to dictate coverage and discourage blitzes. Moreover, McDaniels will cleverly incorporate "tempo," unbalanced sets and quirky alignments to gain an edge on the perimeter. Factor in the Patriots' seamless transition into and out of power formations to bludgeon opponents between the tackles during the team's annual playoff pushes, and it's hard to dismiss McDaniels' offensive wizardry when examining his body of work. Granted, the case can be made that Brady is key to the unit's success, but the fact that Matt Cassel (in 2008) and Kyle Orton (in Denver in 2009) also played good football within McDaniels' system is a testament to his brilliance as a schemer.

Ya because Edelman isn't a good player. Also of course Sucky Brooks would have McDaniels #1 because it helps his opinion of Brady being a tainted game manager.

Well we know NEM did not write that piece.

Every fanbase thinks they have the worst OC in the league. Lucky to have McDaniels.

no more HB draws!

I might put Norv above McDaniels, but it's great to see Josh getting some love from the media.

IcyPatriot said:

Well we know NEM did not write that piece.

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ah yes...the Anti-Weis

People can hate on MacDaniels all they want but that playoff run was a thing of beauty, and he fulfills Belichick's expectation as a game to game coordinator to perfection. Everyone gets frustrated with coordinators but given the end results it's hard to argue that MacDaniels doesn't do a great job.

IcyPatriot said:

Well we know NEM did not write that piece.

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you said HIS name...its like saying Voldemort at Hogwarts. It sends shivers down the spines of muggles

Long may you run....

http://bleacherreport.com/users/1239-mike-allen

He is one of the best for sure. The thing you gotta love about McDaniels is how quick he makes in game adjustments and goes against conventional wisdom.

If the run game is not working he will abandon it. That is a hard thing to do even when you have a guy like Brady. It is not an easy call to make and explain to people who say "you have to run to win". If some part of the games does not work he will throw it out and go to something else very quickly rather than bang his head against the wall. Also how closely he sticks to something that does work. There is a logic you have to "mix it up" which honestly is preferred. But if it is working then why walk away from it. Keep doing it until they decide to make a drastic change to stop it that will weaken them elsewhere.

These seem like simple things but so few OCs are unwilling to do them.

Ivan said:

People can hate on MacDaniels all they want but that playoff run was a thing of beauty, and he fulfills Belichick's expectation as a game to game coordinator to perfection. Everyone gets frustrated with coordinators but given the end results it's hard to argue that MacDaniels doesn't do a great job.

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He generally does a good job. My qualms come when his go to (passing and "sneaky" half assed runs, ie vereen up the gut, Blount rid on a toss/stretch) aren't working, he seems to double down on them.

For all my qualms, I can admit he is an upper echelon OC. His fault lies with his offense being punched in the mouth and adapting, although last year he seemed to improve head and shoulders in this regard.

BobDigital said:

He is one of the best for sure. The thing you gotta love about McDaniels is how quick he makes in game adjustments and goes against conventional wisdom.

If the run game is not working he will abandon it. That is a hard thing to do even when you have a guy like Brady. It is not an easy call to make and explain to people who say "you have to run to win". If some part of the games does not work he will throw it out and go to something else very quickly rather than bang his head against the wall. Also how closely he sticks to something that does work. There is a logic you have to "mix it up" which honestly is preferred. But if it is working then why walk away from it. Keep doing it until they decide to make a drastic change to stop it that will weaken them elsewhere.

These seem like simple things but so few OCs are unwilling to do them.

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I would argue he had historically given up on the run far too often. Either that or he changes the run scheme to feature an ineffective runner and run set for a pass orientated set. The past year we had a defense that could carry such a mentality. I'm no coach, but I think of run plays like body shots in boxing. They should wear down opponents, and become more effective with time with a back like Blount carrying the rock.

Josh has to string a second effective season of adjusting effectively for me to buy into what you are selling. In any case, I love what he did this post season.

I'm skeptical that McDaniels is the best, and this whole analysis hinges on continuing to not give Edelman his due. Not to say that he can't be, but when Brady's your QB it just makes the whole OC job so much easier that I'm not sure you can make a direct comparison to guys who are trying to scheme around non-GOAT quarterbacks.

Who knows, though. Maybe McDaniels really is that good. Just hard to tell for now. I'm of the mindset that he's at worst very good, and potentially one of the best, so I'm not going to worry about it too much.

BradyFTW! said:

I'm skeptical that McDaniels is the best, and this whole analysis hinges on continuing to not give Edelman his due. Not to say that he can't be, but when Brady's your QB it just makes the whole OC job so much easier that I'm not sure you can make a direct comparison to guys who are trying to scheme around non-GOAT quarterbacks.

Who knows, though. Maybe McDaniels really is that good. Just hard to tell for now. I'm of the mindset that he's at worst very good, and potentially one of the best, so I'm not going to worry about it too much.

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Thank God Brady is going to play forever.