9 Patriots Winners, Losers: McDaniels Effect

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Post on Jan 22, 2025

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9 Patriots Winners, Losers: The McDaniels Effect - A Post-Super Bowl LVII Analysis

Hey football fans! So, Super Bowl LVII… whew. What a game, right? And as a long-time Patriots watcher, I'm still processing the whole shebang. This year's game really got me thinking about the lasting impact of Josh McDaniels' time in New England, both the good and the bad. So I thought I'd share my totally unbiased (okay, maybe slightly biased) take on who were the ultimate winners and losers of the McDaniels era. This ain't no official NFL analysis, just a dude with a love for football sharing his thoughts.

The McDaniels Winners: The Guys Who Benefited Most

Let's start with the good news, right? Some players really thrived under McDaniels' system. We're talking about guys who went from relatively unknown to bonafide stars.

Tom Brady (Duh!):

This one's a no-brainer. Brady's success is legendary, but McDaniels played a huge role in shaping his offensive prowess. Their collaboration created a dynasty. I mean, six Super Bowl rings? That's insane. McDaniels helped craft those offensive masterpieces that dominated the league for years. He was, arguably, a key component of Brady's unbelievable career.

Julian Edelman:

Remember when Edelman was just a seventh-round pick? Yeah, neither did I until I started researching this blog post. McDaniels saw something in him. He transformed Edelman from a college quarterback into a key weapon in the Patriots’ offense. He's a testament to McDaniels' ability to find diamonds in the rough and create roles players didn't even know they could fill. That's coaching genius right there!

Rob Gronkowski:

Gronk! This guy is a walking highlight reel, and McDaniels certainly helped unlock his potential. Their partnership was a thing of beauty. Think of those incredible touchdowns! McDaniels designed plays perfectly suited to Gronk’s unique skills, making him a matchup nightmare for defenses.

The Offensive Line (Various Years):

Okay, I'm cheating a little here. It wasn’t just one player but several offensive linemen who consistently performed at a high level under McDaniels' tutelage. It takes a brilliant offensive coordinator to keep an offensive line cohesive and productive. He consistently found ways to get the most out of his offensive line, even when guys were hurt or injured. This contributed greatly to the Patriots' success.

The McDaniels Losers: The Guys Who Didn't Quite Make It

Now, for the less glamorous side of things… Not everyone benefited from the McDaniels era. Some players just didn’t seem to mesh with his system or coaching style.

Jimmy Garoppolo:

Garoppolo was definitely a victim of circumstance. He had huge shoes to fill following Brady, but he never really got the chance to truly shine in New England. He had a good stint in San Francisco but he never replicated his initial success. Many thought McDaniels could have done a better job developing him as a quarterback and it remains a point of contention amongst Patriots fans.

The Patriots Defense (Various Years):

It's difficult to pin this directly on McDaniels, but during some years, the Patriots' defense struggled to consistently keep up with the high-powered offenses of the league. This wasn’t entirely his fault, but it did highlight that success is a collective effort. A team’s defense, while separate, works in tandem with the offense and great coaching.

Players Who Left for Other Teams (Numerous):

There have been many talented players who left New England after their time with McDaniels, and this is where I'm not sure who to pin the loss on. Was it a matter of player preferences or maybe McDaniels' coaching style? Was it about contract issues or potential opportunities elsewhere? There’s no single answer. It’s all speculative.

The Current Patriots:

Even now, the Patriots have yet to fully replace what they lost when Brady and McDaniels left the team. They've made some decent moves, but haven’t quite reached that same level of consistent success. It shows how impactful a well-oiled coaching and quarterback partnership is to a winning team.

Conclusion: A Mixed Legacy

So, there you have it. My completely subjective, maybe-slightly-biased take on the winners and losers of the McDaniels era in New England. It’s important to note that success in the NFL is complicated. There is no single, simple narrative. It's a team effort, with numerous factors contributing to both triumphs and disappointments. Still, the impact of Josh McDaniels on the Patriots' success is undeniable. What are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments!