Patriots vs. Broncos: The Josh McDaniels Effect

by Greg Knopping on Jan 9, 2012 8:02 AM EST in Patriots Game Previews

While watching the Denver Broncos pull out a dramatic 29-23 overtime victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card round yesterday, I couldn't help but think that about the effect that Josh McDaniels had on that team. After all, the two players involved in the 80 yard hook-up on the game winning play on the first play of overtime were Tim Tebow and Demaryius Thomas - McDaniels' two first round draft picks in 2010 with the Broncos.

When the Patriots re-hired Josh McDaniels over the weekend, we knew that he had faced many of the Patriots' potential playoff opponents. But at the time, it seemed rather unlikely that the Patriots would end up playing the team that McDaniels coached just a year ago.

Now, we know that the Patriots will indeed play the Broncos - a team that still has McDaniels' fingerprints all over it. McDaniels knows the players on that team: the offense, defense, etc. Sure, some things have changed and the Broncos have added dynamic players such as rookie Von Miller. Nonetheless, with the Broncos' offense built around the franchise quarterback that Josh McDaniels hand picked in Tim Tebow, there is no question that McDaniels can provide some kind of help for the Patriots in preparation.

Last night, the Patriots officially announced that Josh McDaniels had returned to the Patriots' coaching staff. Who knew he could be this vital to the Patriots this quickly?

How do you see Josh McDaniels impacting the Patriots vs. Broncos match-up this Saturday?

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A wee little bit

Sure he knows some of the players. The system is different though. Also, our defense still has to show up..Hopefully this time around, they make stops early and not get gashed on the ground like they did the last time around.

by knn9413 on Jan 9, 2012 8:55 AM EST reply actions

316 yards...on 10 completetions.

That’s pretty much the Tebow way — high impact, low percentage. The Steelers got really burned by their safety play (Clark has sickle-cell trait and playing could have killed him). Unfortunately, we’ve been consistently burned by our safety play all year long. Is Chung/McCourty the answer? That seems like the most important question, at least on defense.

On offense, we can’t afford to lay an egg. Brady and the boys will have to put up their typical 30-spot. If they do (particularly if they do it early), I think we win. If they struggle, we struggle to win. That said, Tebow magic is less potent on the road.

Unrelatedly, watching the game yesterday I thought Pittsburgh’s comeback was one of the toughest performances I’ve seen from a team in years, mentally. Nothing — and I mean nothing — was going in their favor, the place was rocking. I thought they were toast. Great job by them.

"Every time I call it a game, you call it a business. Every time I call it a business, you call it a game."

by JohnHannahRules on Jan 9, 2012 9:27 AM EST reply actions

I guess I should say something about JMcD, given topic.

Meh. I don’t think he has much to offer about Denver, as knn9413 said, it’s a totally different system. He doesn’t know anything about Tebow that you or me or anyone with a tv doesn’t already know. If he has an effect (this year), I’m more afraid it will be negative. The offense has come together under BO’B; introducing a new wrinkle in the form of McD’s play-calling predilections could throw things out of kilter a bit — I don’t think that’s something we can really afford.

"Every time I call it a game, you call it a business. Every time I call it a business, you call it a game."

by JohnHannahRules on Jan 9, 2012 9:29 AM EST up reply actions

Except for the lateral whistled dead....

Game wouldn’t have been close or in or except for that. Refs have got to let questionable plays go at least until an obvious recovery. Even if u think it’s an incomplete don’t blow it dead until someone clearly picks it up.

by gnatecolby on Jan 9, 2012 9:31 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

oo -- forgot about that one. Huge.

"Every time I call it a game, you call it a business. Every time I call it a business, you call it a game."

by JohnHannahRules on Jan 9, 2012 9:32 AM EST up reply actions

I hate refs blowing plays dead when it's close

They should let the play go unless it’s blatant. In many cases the defense has a clear path to score and the play is blown dead. I’d be coaching my players to play through the whistle just in case.

by iLikeStuff on Jan 9, 2012 10:16 AM EST up reply actions

The inadvertent whistle can be a drive killer

but what I absolutely don’t want is to see Jeff Triplett’s crew at Gillette Saturday night. Walt Coleman maybe?

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Jan 9, 2012 11:27 AM EST up reply actions

Tripplet shouldn't be near a whiste in Jan

I don’t care if he needs a can in ny, he can walk.

by gnatecolby on Jan 9, 2012 2:22 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

It doesn't matter if they play through the whistle (they did)

once the play is blown dead- it’s over.

by jack_ on Jan 9, 2012 11:27 AM EST up reply actions

Finally!

A match up where our porous bend-don’t-break style fits perfectly!

And you’re right, Pittsburgh’s comeback was furious. They had absolutely no business being in that game at any point. It made me feel better about somehow dropping behind again and having to claw back. As battered as Pittsburgh was, I didn’t see us spotting them an early lead and making a good enough comeback.

Can I Scream?

by Adam Fox on Jan 9, 2012 11:27 AM EST up reply actions

Well, he'll bring copies of all the playbooks of course.

He knows Tebow’s shoe size, for crying out loud. He is the perfect weapon for this game. Except if he isn’t.

Now for reality.

He might have knowledge of some player tendencies, and that’s about it. Fox has changed the offense drastically, and Josh didn’t have much ownership of the defense.

I’d be surprised if they use him much for intel, seeing as his knowledge is a year old in a league that changes week by week.

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
Some people can learn from the mistakes of others, while some people need to pee on the electric fence themselves.
Belichick is looking for a new name for his boat: VI Rings sounds pretty good.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Jan 9, 2012 4:49 PM EST reply actions