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Josh McDaniels analysis

Email|Link|Comments (15) Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff January 11, 2009 11:59 PM

ANALYSIS

The Denver Broncos have reached an agreement with Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to become their new head coach, an NFL source confirmed Sunday night [update: the Broncos are now confirming the news].

In New England, the question now is who replaces McDaniels. The Patriots' other offensive coaches are Ivan Fears (running back), Pete Mangurian (tight ends), Bill O'Brien (receivers) and Dante Scarnecchia (offensive line/asst. head coach).

Mangurian held the offensive coordinator title with the Atlanta Falcons in 2003, while O'Brien was the offensive coordinator at Georgia Tech in 2001-2002 and at Duke University in 2006.

If the Patriots stay in-house, Mangurian and O'Brien would seem to be the likely candidates. Head coach Bill Belichick could also take a more active role in play-calling.

If the Patriots seek a coordinator outside of the organization, it would presumably have to be someone willing to adapt to the system that New England already has in place. The Patriots are unlikely to significantly alter what they do, which is a consideration to keep in mind as they look to fill McDaniels' void.

As for the impact of McDaniels' hiring in Denver, one question likely being asked is: Why did the Broncos go with an offensive coach when their primary problems are on defense?

While McDaniels has spent the majority of his NFL coaching tenure on offense, he is more than just an offensive coach. His understanding and background in personnel -- specifically on defense, which ties into the offensive game-plans he prepares -- is significant.

In that way, he is similar to Bill Belichick. While most consider Belichick's expertise to be on defense, Belichick's overall understanding and background in personnel -- such as looking at defensive players' strengths and weaknesses and then overseeing an offensive plan to attack specific areas -- is an often overlooked part of his excellence.

McDaniels shouldn't have a problem with personnel evaluation and offensive and defensive Xs and Os, but one of the more interesting aspects to watch will be how he is received as a leader among some of the team's higher profile players such as quarterback Jay Cutler and receiver Brandon Marshall.

Will they respond to a 32-year-old head coach who is replacing a franchise icon?

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15 comments so far...

Capers is going with him so that should a lot in both credibility and coaching the defensive side of the ball.

Posted by Nate January 12, 09 12:31 AM

Bring back RAC.
And hire Shanahan as special offensive assistant.

Please!

Posted by famous January 12, 09 12:37 AM

Great analysis Mike, keep up the great work!!

This blog has the best patriots coverage anywhere

Posted by Paul January 12, 09 01:23 AM

With regard to JMcD's replacement... has Notre Dame fired Weis yet?

Posted by Goo January 12, 09 01:33 AM

I know I am dreaming, but a Charlie Weis return...

Posted by CN January 12, 09 03:03 AM

Time for Romeo to come back home. The Capers experiment was a flop, so there's no loss there.

I wish Josh luck, but I was never a fan of his. Sorry, just didn't like his play calling. We'll get someone better, no doubt.

Posted by Los Angeles January 12, 09 03:05 AM

With San Diego losing this assures the Patriots of a better 2nd round pick as a result of the trade from last year.

Posted by Tim Henson January 12, 09 04:46 AM

This hiring just speaks to the Patriots being the premier organization in the NFL. If your going to take a risk on young coach, why not one from a winning organization. I wish him the best (and Capers if thats true). Just have to make the right choice for the next Offensive Coordinator and keep on moving.

Posted by jeff January 12, 09 06:11 AM

Best of luck Josh! I appreciate everything you did for the Patriots organization the last 7 years.

Posted by Will January 12, 09 07:14 AM

Good for Josh...bronco job is a good job

Posted by Josh January 12, 09 07:33 AM

Wasn't it a few years ago we didn't even have an OC?

Posted by Andy M January 12, 09 07:58 AM

I gotta think he's a little too inexperienced...plus who'd wanna leave the Pats when we're about to have 3 picks in the first two rounds and Brady coming back with the whole team better rested than it will have been in years? Oh well....good luck to Josh anyways. Now maybe we'll change our ridiculous 3rd and short power formation to something that works...although that might've been BB making that call. Beyond that I thought he was pretty damn good. Should be interesting to see who we fill this and Pioli's voids with.

Posted by Ush January 12, 09 08:06 AM

Ush,

I think its about to be 4 picks in the first 2 rounds. We'll definitely get a 1st or 2nd rounder for Cassel and we already own San Diegos 2nd rounder.

As far as I know, we haven't traded or lost our 1st/2nds as well.

Posted by Sean in Taunton January 12, 09 08:30 AM

Significant experience in personnel? You're kidding. This is a huge risk for Denver, replacing an HoF quality offensive coach with an offensive coach who a) has only run a different system entirely, b) has only a few years of coaching experience and c) did all his work with the best team of the last 10 years. Makes little sense for Denver.

Posted by jomiku January 12, 09 09:17 AM

If the Pats are looking outside the organization for an offensive coordinator, I hear Jeff Jagozinski recently became available.

Posted by Sean January 12, 09 04:27 PM

DO NOT HIT THE SUBMIT BUTTON MORE THAN ONCE!

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Mike Reiss, Christopher L. Gasper and the rest of the Globe team provide regular updates –and a behind-the-scenes look– on the daily happenings of the Patriots.

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