Spotlight on Josh McDaniels Now
 

Since 2005 the guy has been blessed with Tom Brady. For several years now people here have questioned his predictability in play calls, some head scratchers in calling horrible plays, slowness in making adjustments, as well as going deep too much which results in leaving his QB's vulnerable to get whacked. Basically the entire time he's been here he had the benefit of calling plays that relied on the independent talent and skill of his players, rather than on the cunning of his own plays.

He did go through one year with crappy receivers, but this time with all-pro talent all across the offense except at QB, it's time to see what this guy can do without his security blanket named Brady. I'm still skeptical that this guy has enough savvy or patience to run a ball control, intelligent offense. I don't think it's a coincidence we haven't won the big one since he became coordinator. The pressure is on.

Re: More Pressure on Josh McDaniels Now
 

This may sound dumb especially after the numbers this offense put up last season, but I really hope McDaniels starts running a much more conventional offense. Far be it from me to tell them how to run the offence, but I really wish we would use the play action pass more, instead of always declaring what they are going to do and dare teams to stop it.

Matt Casselle is clearly not Tom Brady, but hes our guy for the foreseeable future, lets give him more I forms, 3WR packages and PLAY ACTION!!!!!!

I still think if the offense is managed properly, and the defense comes to play, we can definitely win the AFC east, and get into the playoffs playing with a strong running game, and a good defense.

Re: More Pressure on Josh McDaniels Now
 

McDaniels has long relied on the individual talent and skill of his players than on his own intelligence or cunning. Half our plays last year were from shotgun, the guy barely ever uses play action or deception in most of our passing or running plays, and when he does it is at a horrible time in the game.

I fear defensive coordinators are going to have a coaching advantage against him most games, and this time he doesn't have Brady to bail him out with his audibles or individual skill.

Re: More Pressure on Josh McDaniels Now
 

I know I have been accused of McDaniels being a binkie of mine, but I think that this may be the year that McDaniels gets his due from the McDaniels bashers. I think this guy is a lot better than some fans give him credit for.

He did pass his first test pretty well. He did do a very good job revising the gameplan on the fly to put Cassel in a position to succeed yesterday. It clearly wasn't the gameplan they went into the game with Brady other than maybe that first pass to Moss (although it was absolutely the right call to make in that position since the defense was going to read run all the way).

Re: More Pressure on Josh McDaniels Now
 

The 51-yard bomb to Moss wasn't McDaniel's call. If you read the interviews Moss explains he saw a crack in their defense and improvised on what his route was supposed to be, and fortunately Cassel saw the same thing.

Re: More Pressure on Josh McDaniels Now
 

I don’t think I’m a McDaniels basher, I hope he does a great job this year, I just would really like to see more convention to this offense. Maybe its Brady that wants the shotgun stuff, I don’t know, I just wish with the backs we have on this team, we pound on D lines, and play action to Moss and Welker…

You want to talk about the 51 yard bomb, ill talk about the horrible almost safeties on back to back prior to that play… Again, im not trying to bash McDaniels, I just think its dumb to declare prior to the play on a 3rd and 3 that you are definitely passing…
I mean think about it, how many times did the running game get going last year, even in the preseason, and he would just call one to many and it gets blown up… Play action on those would be automatic TDs.

Re: More Pressure on Josh McDaniels Now
 

I just think it's unreal the level of precision those players have. Moss was basically like "well, he was standing flat footed with his feet together so I knew I was going to be able to get by him." Like... instead of his feet being a few inches the other way or something. Unreal.

Re: Spotlight on Josh McDaniels Now
 

One thing I've always had a problem with about McDaniels is he doesn't play ball control offense, he tries to go for the quick strike too much, exposing his QB's for big hits. He's also way too predictable and unimaginative.

I remember an interview many years ago by Belichick where he said the coordinators of all units need to work together, in synch, in order to win. Meaning, the offensive coordinator needs to know when the defense is tired and when to just slow the game down and just grind things out for a while.

Re: More Pressure on Josh McDaniels Now
 

I actually hope the boy-genius gets thrown out on his ass at some point over the next year or two. Then he can spend his time drawing up long bombs in the dirt and risking the health of high school and sandlot quarterbacks instead.

I'm sorry, that was mean.

Sandlot and HS quarterbacks deserve better.

(complete rant against Josh McDouchebag posted in "How Do You Feel")

Re: Spotlight on Josh McDaniels Now
 

Interesting thread- just how will a Brady-less offense affect our playcalling (or will it). One thing-Cassel's more of a scrambler than Brady and seems a bit faster. Is this something McDaniels will use to our advantage? I'm sure he'll play to strengths, so given the fact Matt's our man, how will Josh adjust to it?