My growing faith in Josh McDaniels

[rabthepat]

"In Bill I Trust" too...

I've got a little more faith in the man in your avatar. If he says he's the man for the job, then that's all the qualification I need to hear about.

Doesn't it seem like a drop in caliber going from coorindators like Romeo and Charlie down to Josh? Bill must think anyone can do the job as long as he is at the helm.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I was very dissapointed with Josh through the first 8 games or so. The play calling was very conservative and vanilla. I lot of that was probably the result of the defenses poor play (Starks, Beisel and Brown) and a banged up Dillion and a decimated OL.
However once the defense got better, we were able to expand the play book a little and that made a huge difference. At that point in the season, I felt the play calling started to get a bit more sophisicated.
One key point for everyone to contemplate:
It's been writteny that Brady only had to audible on about 30% of the Pats plays, however if you look back at the two playoff games, Brady used most of that 30% on 3rd down (80-%-90% of the audibles were used on 3rd down) That tells me that either 1.) Brady was keen enough to spot something on almost every 3rd down [I know he's good, but that's hard to imagine] or 2.) the opposing defenses had way too good a handle on Josh's play calling tendencies. That's a scary thought.

I'm hoping he gets better, much better this year and that the offense becomes more balanced.

I got the impression early in the year that teams were keying on Brady's audible tendencies, it seemed to get better later on. I agree with the concern for Josh's tendencies, hopefully he got his nose rubbed in it when he did the post-season analysis and goes into this season with more of devious twist to his play calling.

 

[PonyExpress]

In reference to this and my original post, I have no doubt that McDaniels is the "right man for the job."

My point is that "the job" is not one that is typical in the NFL. Although it has never been explicitly stated it seems clear to me that BB's approach to the post-Weis OC position (and even during) is that there is significant input from position coaches and players in how the offense is designed and implemented.

The OC is certainly the prime play caller on game day, but that is just the tip of the iceberg of the job. Tom Brady, Dante, all the assistants, other key players, are all active participants in developing, implementing and possibly even suggesting playcalling.

Hiring a "proven" OC with a lengthy resume who wants things done "his" way rather than the collective approach of the Pats wouldn't fit in with BB's scheme I'm guessing.

McDaniels's experience with the Pats but "lack" of other experience is EXACTLY what makes him the best person for this job.

Like any organization, an offense takes on the personality of its leader, who is the offensive coordinator. Look at how Notre Dame's offense was transformed all at once. If the Pats' offense indeed used this "collective" approach, and it wasn't just lip-service to the media, my knowledge of human nature tells me this was a mistake. It removes accountability and makes for muddled direction, and [probably explains why the pats' O lacked a clear personality for much of the year There should be a clear chain of command and someone calling the shots who commands the attention of all. I am confident McDaniels will do this more fully this year now that he has the duties and the title to boot.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Like any organization, an offense takes on the personality of its leader, who is the offensive coordinator. Look at how Notre Dame's offense was transformed all at once. If the Pats' offense indeed used this "collective" approach, and it wasn't just lip-service to the media, my knowledge of human nature tells me this was a mistake. It removes accountability and makes for muddled direction, and [probably explains why the pats' O lacked a clear personality for much of the year There should be a clear chain of command and someone calling the shots who commands the attention of all. I am confident McDaniels will do this more fully this year now that he has the duties and the title to boot.

BB is ultimately accountable - and all his coaches to him. That's as far as it needs to go.

I highly doubt McDaniels isn't getting a LOT of offensive input from guys like Dante Scarnecchia who were coaching before he was born. I expect that's exactly what BB wants too.

Ultimately its clear that Brady has been growing in leaps and bounds as an onfield "coach". The naming of McDaniels - the young QB coach - confirms that Brady himself has a very significant role in the offensive development and actual playcalling.

 

[PonyExpress]

BB is ultimately accountable - and all his coaches to him. That's as far as it needs to go.

I highly doubt McDaniels isn't getting a LOT of offensive input from guys like Dante Scarnecchia who were coaching before he was born. I expect that's exactly what BB wants too.

Ultimately its clear that Brady has been growing in leaps and bounds as an onfield "coach". The naming of McDaniels - the young QB coach - confirms that Brady himself has a very significant role in the offensive development and actual playcalling.

I would rather have just McDaniels in charge of the O. That way we won't have "too many chiefs". Its similar to when a young lieutenant takes over a military unit. He has the wise old staff sergeant there (Scar) to advise him, the charismatic squad leader (Brady) and the all-knowing Company Commander (BB). But the Lt is in charge of his platoon, he gives the orders and is accountable, and he has to assert himself despite his inexperience. Otherwise he loses the respect of the rank and file (the players). The chain of command must be clear.

 

[PlattsFan]

The Pats weren't good in the red zone because their running game blew chunks. It may have had a little to do with McDaniels, but I'd put it on the running game first (due to injuries).

As for McDaniels, the jury's out. The Patriots value promoting from within, intelligence, and hard work, so we can assume McDaniels has all of those attributes (well, the "promoting from within" part we're sure of). I thought the play-calling wasn't quite up to Charlie Weis, but that's a pretty freakin' high standard. It certainly was above Ernie Zampese's final years, but that's a pretty low one. I'd say his game management was OK, his schemes seemed good, and his results squeezing enough out of that offense with all the injuries to the line and RBs speak very well for the future.

I also think the drafting of the last couple of years (more O-linemen, RB with a high pick) may signal a slight shift in philosophy. We sometimes forget that the coordinators have a major role in player acquisition and drafting.

 

[rookBoston]

Word is that Josh is a kid genius. The difference between him and Charlie is experience. Remember, Charlie was a risk taking, mediocre OC for a number of years before his "breakout" seasons with the Pats. Parcells benched him and took play calling off his plate for a while, when they were with the Jets.

Let's give the kid a chance. In his rookie season, he did an okay job-- not great and a bit of a letdown after the preceding seasons, where the Pats seemed to move the ball... if not consistently, at least when they needed it most. And that was done with only David Patten and Troy Brown and Jermain Wiggins and Antowain Smith and the rookie version of Brady (who was nowhere near the player he is now) as their skill players.

McDaniels has a far deeper talent pool to rely on. Difference is, Charlie's playbook had a decade of successes and failures written into it. Just like any rookie, he's going to have his growing pains. But, we have every reason to be optimistic. BB could have any OC in the NFL with a phone call, and he's chosen this guy.

 

[PonyExpress]

Word is that Josh is a kid genius. The difference between him and Charlie is experience. Remember, Charlie was a risk taking, mediocre OC for a number of years before his "breakout" seasons with the Pats. Parcells benched him and took play calling off his plate for a while, when they were with the Jets.

Let's give the kid a chance. In his rookie season, he did an okay job-- not great and a bit of a letdown after the preceding seasons, where the Pats seemed to move the ball... if not consistently, at least when they needed it most. And that was done with only David Patten and Troy Brown and Jermain Wiggins and Antowain Smith and the rookie version of Brady (who was nowhere near the player he is now) as their skill players.

McDaniels has a far deeper talent pool to rely on. Difference is, Charlie's playbook had a decade of successes and failures written into it. Just like any rookie, he's going to have his growing pains. But, we have every reason to be optimistic. BB could have any OC in the NFL with a phone call, and he's chosen this guy.

I agree. Another advantage to having a young pup is that no one will swoop in and steal him for a HC job until at least he can legally drink...

 

[fgssand]

THIS CORPS OF RECEIVERS CAN BE DEADLY... USE THE INSIDE ROUTES, AND GET THE HELL AWAY FROM THE DEEP SIDELINE FLY PATTERN, IT JUST DOES NOT WORK WITH THIS TEAM...

IF IT DOESNT WORK, INSANITY IS TRYING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AND EXPECTING A DIFFERENT RESULT

This team has the capability of destroying opposing defenses and stretching them out, opening the gaps...if they come out with an attack mode...forcing linebackers out of the box, and moving the safeties....

If they go about it the other way, they will have wasted the offensive talent...

Are you basically saying to use short passing & screen (tight ends & backs) domination along with smashmouth running game to open up a passing game full of throws in the flat and sideline curl ins? If we succeed in this approach - no doubt we will run over teams.

 

[godef]

When the Pats went on their late season run last year there was alot of talk about the defensive improvements: Seymour and Bruschi were back, Colvin had returned to pre-injury form, Wilfork began dominating like a 1st rdr. interesting to note, if you look at the team offensively over the last 6 games (not including the Miami game) a trend appears. The Jets (twice), the Bills, TB, Jacksonville, and Denver combined had a combined record of 49-47, about the league average. Against those teams the Pats O averaged 379.1 total yards per game, 122.7 yards rushing per game, and 25.2 points per game. If they had averaged those same amounts over the course of the whole season, they would have ranked #2 in total yards in the league, #10 in yards rushing, and #6 in points scored. All of this happened without Matt Light, Dan Koppen, a healthy Dillon, and with a first year O-coordinator. With the new additions and another year under his belt, I see McDaniels repeating that performance this coming year.

That the Pat's D became a shutdown D during those games may have a lot to do with that. With it getting the O the ball more readily and more often, it's not hard to pile up the yards. Of course, this would imply that the Pats O was stoking all season long but just didn't get the ball enough when its D was flailing.

 

[JoeSixPat]

THIS CORPS OF RECEIVERS CAN BE DEADLY...

Damn. That's what you said last year....

And frankly, I just can't bring myself to believe that Andre Davis, David Terrell, Bethel Johnson, PK and Tim Dwight all underperformed because of Josh McDaniels...

I'm not saying your points about WR playcalling is wrong per se - but that was a pretty lame group of WRs last year (I did like Dwight though)

I don't think many OCs could have done too much more with them.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Yo Rookboston, who is calling Josh a kid genius????

 

[MoLewisrocks]

THIS CORPS OF RECEIVERS CAN BE DEADLY... USE THE INSIDE ROUTES, AND GET THE HELL AWAY FROM THE DEEP SIDELINE FLY PATTERN, IT JUST DOES NOT WORK WITH THIS TEAM...

IF IT DOESNT WORK, INSANITY IS TRYING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AND EXPECTING A DIFFERENT RESULT

This team has the capability of destroying opposing defenses and stretching them out, opening the gaps...if they come out with an attack mode...forcing linebackers out of the box, and moving the safeties....

If they go about it the other way, they will have wasted the offensive talent...

LOL. This is like deja vu all over again. And just like last year we don't even know WHO this corps of receivers NEM is touting is ultimately going to end up being.

With the return of a healthy and more experienced and slightly bulked up Oline and a shiny new 1st round draft pick RB in addition to the usual suspects Josh and Tom should have more viable options on the ground - particularly approaching the dreaded red zone, and if they do I imagine they will make the most of them and run the smash mouth ball control offense BB prefers. He's not looking to crush opponents, just beat them soundly. Hopefully it will be a little more sound margin than in the past with the ? we commence the season with at PK. But with the crush mentality comes mistakes (i.e. turnovers), and BB hates mistakes. While you may get away with them for a while, be knows that eventually that mindset will cost you dearly and usually when you can least afford it.

Despite the usual optimism, this WR corp is as of May 31st a borderline crap shoot. Branch is the #1 albeit one who struggles in double coverage and one who has been somewhat fragile and one who may have more on his mind than merely the games at hand. The rookie certainly looks promising, but don't they all. The rest are still looking to prove they can even play WR in this league. We have a flotilla of TE's and if we can get them out running routes rather than blocking that would help. Although Graham is proving to be not the most durable guy - at least when he's asked to block so much - and while showing flashes of brilliance Watson has struggled with route running in a offense predicated on pre and post snap reads and reactions. Even if they are as good as we hope they can be, it will take Jackson and Caldwell and a new third TE some time to get in psynch with the guy whose reads count.

I think Josh did a decent job last season under less than ideal conditions. He had a lot of injuries and inconsistency to deal with, and watching him on the sidelines he never seemed to lose his cool. One reason he got the job is because both BB and Charlie realized that they had a QB in Brady who is evolving into the real offensive leader of this team on the field and in game planning. The best OC for this team is a facilitator who can follow his lead and the fine tune and expand on the playbook Charlie and Bill fashioned over a 4 year span.

By and large I expect the game plans and route running will reflect what Tommy and his eventual partners on offense are most comfortable with and consistent in performing given the particular strengths and weaknesses of the opponents they face each weak. IMHO this will remain to a large extent a take what they give us oppertunistic offense (that's the beauty of Brady in he can run that) because that is the somewhat conservative base approach BB prefers as it makes excellent use of his input and Brady's ability to incorporate that and read defenses. Charlie's deft game calling (something NEM never appreciated because he wants every play to work to immediate advantage or it was a mistake) is a gift we can only hope Josh will over time (as Charlie did) master. Because that does lighten Tommy's load on the field. Charlie's hard to miss personality and cache would come in handy on an offense with so many shiny new faces, but hopefully the coaches and veterans and BB will stay on top of that aspect of things - BB may have more time for the offense this season with Pees and a healthy front 7 and we can only hope Rodney back in that backfield. That is why many of us still hope Ty will come back off his financial ledge. Given the injuries last season it was ultimately not their planning skills but the passion and cache and personality Charlie and RAC brought to the mix that was likely most sorely missed.

All in all I expect another season where NEM expresses no end of game plan frustration win or lose, just as he has every year including the three seasons that ended with parades. Me - all I care about is THAT we win. If we can stay healthy and have Brady and Belichick navigating an easier schedule in a still teetering AFCE I certainly like our (and Josh's) chances a whole lot better than in 2005 in hindsight, but as BB says we likely won't know what we've really got for a team- including coaching and coordinators - until 6 or 8 weeks into the 2006 season.

Josh is young but he certainly has the requisite pedigree to be an OC in this league. Son of a well respected coach, extremely bright Belichick protoge, guys have parlayed less into HC jobs either in college or in this league.

 

[PonyExpress]

I am going to restate my case in support of Josh McDaniels, who continues IMO to take too much flak. Here goes:
In 2005, the Patriots Offense ranked #7 in the NFL in yards per offensive play, 5.46, and ranked #3 in the NFL in Red Zone Efficiency: Out of 58 possessions in the red zone, the Pats scored 38 TDs (63.8%, 3rd in the league) and 15 FGs, for a grand total of 89.7% (3rd in the league). The offensive injuries included LT, C, RB etc.
The Defense, meanwhile, ranked 25th in the NFL in yards per play: 5.30, and 27th in red zone efficiency: in 48 red zone possessions they allowed 27TDs and 15 FGs, 56.3%. The Defensive injuries included S, LDE, CB, ILB etc.

The 2005 Patriots offensively were excellent. It was the defense that early in the year continually put the offense in untenable situations by their terrible play. Based on this comparison, all injuries considered, an argument could be made that McDaniels coached the pants off Mangini, and maybe McDaniels is the one who deserved the HC job, and not his baby-faced counterpart.