Bill Belichick gave Josh McDaniels a pretty big compliment Friday morning by comparing him to Nick Saban.
The Patriots coach was asked about McDaniels and then went into how he knows what every player on the field is doing on a given play, noting how that is very similar to when Belichick and Saban were on the same staff in Cleveland.
“This is kind of like Saban when we were in Cleveland," Belichick said. "Nick knew what every player on the field was doing. He knew what the guard’s keys were, he knew what the running back was keying, he knew what the nose guard was doing, he knew what everybody on the field was doing. Josh is kind of the same way. He knows what all 11 guys are doing on offense, what their keys are, what their adjustments are and all that. And he knows defensively, how the guy is taught to play certain blocks, or routes, or reads and how to attack them. I’ve learned a lot from Josh. I really have. He really excels in every area.”
Belichick also praised McDaniels in general for how he coaches, including staying calm during games.
“I think Josh does a great job really in every area," he said. "I don’t think he really has any weaknesses as a coach. He understands what every player on the field is doing on offense and defense. He has a great vision on how to utilize the skills of his players on his side of the ball and how to try and attack the weaknesses, whether it be personnel weaknesses, or schematic weaknesses, or try to force the opponent into a situation that he is able to take advantage of. He’s an excellent play-caller — timing, setting up a sequence of plays.
"… Josh is creative. He’s a very forward thinker. He’s got great poise during the game. Never gets rattled. Never loses the situation, loses track of the situation. He’s always a play or two ahead and then if it changes, he can adapt to it pretty quickly.”
The two and their Patriots team will host the Browns this Sunday.