Dante Scarnecchia spent more than a decade coaching alongside Josh McDaniels with the Patriots. The legendary offensive line coach is one of the people best equipped to talk about the impact of McDaniels’ departure.
Speaking with Ken and Curtis Saturday, Scarnecchia explained the Patriots will probably most miss McDaniels during games, especially when it comes to adjusting game plans and working with the quarterback to correct mistakes.
“I think where Josh is always going to be most missed is his ability to adjust the game play during the course of the game. It think he was extraordinary at that,” Scarnecchia said. “Secondly, he’s going to be missed because of his ability to mentor quarterbacks, especially during a game. I’ve already said this ad nauseam so many times: his being with the quarterback on the bench over the course of a game is both soothing and informative to them. Those two areas, plus I really think just the way, we had all of our meetings, and we were able to formulate plans, and come out with a common thing between everybody. It was a very, very pleasant environment.”
That remark from Scarnecchia is another reminder of how all-encompassing McDaniels’ role was. His responsibilities didn’t just include coaching Mac Jones or calling plays. He was basically the CEO of the offense.
At the NFL annual meetings last week, Bill Belichick gave little indication about who will take over play-calling responsibilities, grumbling that the Patriots won’t have to call a play for another six months. Matt Patricia and Joe Judge are expected to play big roles this season on the offensive side of the ball.
Scarnecchia says he doesn’t think it’s unusual that Patricia and Judge don’t have official titles. McDaniels didn’t when he was starting, either.
“Josh didn’t have a title until his third season. He didn’t have a coordinator’s title, he was the quarterbacks coach,” Scarnecchia said. “Then you go to Billy [O’Brien]. He didn’t have a title until his third season. Then he became a coordinator. He, too, was the quarterback coach. I see more of the same of that with either Joe or Matt or Nick, whoever they give it to, and I think it will be more of the same. They’re good coaches, they’ll work at it, and we have to hope for the best.”
Having Jones should make their jobs easier. It’s apparent the Patriots are counting on Jones to make a big leap in his second season. Scarnecchia agrees.
“One thing they do have, I think they have a really, really good young quarterback,” he said. “This guy, I think the world of him, and think he’s gonna be a good player.”