McDaniels’ rise to power might be the biggest surprise of the NFL season so far. Not long after his tenure in Denver began, success seemed as improbable as a Terrell Owens-Rodney Harrison United Way commercial does now. Starting quarterback Jay Cutler forced a trade to the Bears, wide receiver Brandon Marshall began making noise about his contract and McDaniels appeared on the verge of losing his players before he’d even learned their names.
It was as if McDaniels had bad credit and was sinking deeper and deeper into debt. Some predicted he wouldn’t last the season. Others believed Denver owner Pat Bowlen would be begging Mike Shanahan to return by Week 4.
Instead, the Broncos are one of five undefeated teams in the NFL and have allowed 26 points through four games. Granted, two of Denver’s four wins have come against the 0-4 Browns and 1-3 Raiders — two teams masquerading as professional teams — but giving up less than a touchdown per game is impressive whether it’s against Division III, eight-man or Pop Warner competition.
McDaniels was supposed to be an offensive mastermind, but it’s clear he learned a thing or two from the Hooded Defensive Genius, Bill Belichick, the man whose team the Broncos face on Sunday.
McDaniels’ job history might be the biggest edge the Broncos have over the Patriots. McDaniels spent eight years on Belichick’s staff, and most of that was on the offensive side of the ball. He began calling plays for New England in 2005 after Charlie Weis left to coach Notre Dame, became the quarterbacks coach in 2004 and was named offensive coordinator in 2006.
McDaniels could know the Patriots’ offense as well the Patriots.
Anyone who thinks prior knowledge of a team isn’t an advantage, check out some highlights of Super Bowl XXXVII, when the Buccaneers crushed the Raiders 48-21. Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden, one year removed from being Oakland’s coach, had more than just an idea of how the Silver and Black liked to attack on offense. He knew every play they had, and he shared that information with the Bucs' defense leading up to the game.
Playing against a former coach isn’t the same as having a former player on the opposing roster. When the Patriots met the Jets earlier this season, former New England quarterback Kevin O’Connell may have known some plays, but McDaniels might have helped write the entire Patriots playbook.
Forget about just changing the signals. The Patriots are going to have to change their whole game plan. That doesn’t mean they have to rewrite the playbook, but they will have to disguise their plays more than usual.
Belichick is well aware of this. He is the ultimate chess master, and already is thinking five moves ahead. He will figure out a way to throw his pupil off the Patriots’ scent. Feign a right jab, land a left hook. Line up in a run formation, throw a deep post. Call the shotgun, go with a draw.
The old dog is ready to pull out some new tricks. It’s time for Belichick the Illusionist to surface — what you see isn't necessarily what you'll get from the Patriots this week.
With Marshall and McDaniels making a case to win a Nobel Peace prize, Kyle Orton having a better record than Cutler and the Orange Crush experiencing a revival — the Broncos are for real.
So are the Patriots.
This Sunday, we’ll find out which team is better.
