The 2011 NFL collective bargaining agreement limited the allowed contact between coaches and players during the offseason, and it’s hurting quarterback play, according to New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
That note was passed along Saturday by Urban Meyer while the Ohio State head coach was in the NFL Network booth talking to Rich Eisen and Mike Mayock at the NFL Scouting Combine.
“The new CBA is hurting the league,” McDaniels told Meyer. “It’s hurting quarterback play.”
Meyer added:”Because Tom Brady from January until April, that was the time for those great quarterbacks to get coached. Now you’re not allowed to. It was interesting to hear Josh McDaniels say ‘it’s killing the quarterback play.’ Because they have to go somewhere. So they’re now going to some of these quarterback gurus, and maybe they’re being taught something different than the coaches are teaching them, and it’s created kind of a — but it’s interesting. (Houston Texans head coach and former Patriots offensive coordinator) Bill O’Brien and Josh McDaniels say you cannot coach a quarterback after the season.”
The Patriots drafted quarterback Ryan Mallett in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft, and he has failed to develop in the NFL under McDaniels or O’Brien. The Patriots selected Jimmy Garoppolo in the second round 2014 NFL Draft, and the Texans grabbed Tom Savage in the fourth round of the same draft. Garoppolo works with QB guru Jeff Christensen during the offseason.
Brady worked with Tom Martinez until the QB guru’s death in 2012. Now Brady works with former Major League Baseball pitcher Tom House. Brady was allowed more contact with his NFL coaches during the offseason prior to the new 2011 CBA, which was agreed upon to help protect players.
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images
