McDaniels hot again
FOXBORO — Josh McDaniels is once again at the forefront of most NFL head coaching rumors. How does Patriots owner Robert Kraft feel about having his offensive coordinator at the top of the list, especially after opening up the purse strings and making him the highest paid coordinator just to keep him last year?
“I care about winning Sunday. That’s what really what I care about,” Kraft told the Herald, stopping for a moment last night at the team’s Children’s Holiday Party at the Putnam Club at Gillette Stadium. “Whatever happens . . . you know, we have good people. I’m actually flattered that people are after our people.”
Kraft didn’t comment further.
McDaniels addressed the matter earlier in the day in a conference call. He was asked about being the leading candidate in some circles, how he sees his future, and how he’s handling the situation.
His answer was basically a dodge, which is not all that surprising.
“I don’t really worry about the future, and hon- estly, each week is a tremendous challenge. We try to stay in the moment and focus about the task at hand which this week is considerable considering we haven’t had a lot of success down (in Miami),” said McDaniels. “This is a big challenge for us. I didn’t do nearly well enough in my role in my job last year when we went down to Miami . . . it is what it is. I don’t really pay too much attention to it. Love what we do here in terms of working hard to try to come up with the best play for our players each week. That’s where my focus is going to remain.”
McDaniels was also in the rumor mill last year. He accepted the Colts job before reversing course and changing his mind at the last minute, and received a fiveyear deal to remain in New England as the offensive coordinator.
Teams apparently aren’t holding that against him. There’s already rumors about McDaniels going to Green Bay, which fired Mike McCarthy after Sunday loss to Arizona.
Asked if he still wanted to be a head coach, McDaniels said his future plan remained the same.
“If that’s in the cards for me, that’s great. I’ve said that before,” he said. “But again, I’m not worried about that right now.”
Corners coached up
Brian Flores, the Pats de facto defensive coordinator, and his staff have done a good job with all of the young cornerbacks on the roster, J.C. Jackson in particular. Jackson started in Sunday’s win against the Vikings. He played on the perimeter, and handled his assignments well. He was in coverage on a pass intended for Aldrick Robinson in the end zone. He had him defended, allowing Duron Harmon to come up with an easy fourth quarter pick of Kirk Cousins.
Flores was asked about the difficulties helping a rookie make the jump from college to the pros, particularly with all the complexities in coverages.
“I think playing corner in this league is one of the hardest things to do. Obviously, some of the most talented athletes in the world are playing receiver in this league,” Flores said. “I think J.C., he’s come in, he’s worked extremely hard on the field, in the classroom trying to learn our scheme, and I think he’s picked it up well. I think Josh Boyer, our corners coach, has done a great job spending a lot of time with him on his technique, on fundamentals, on learning the game and understanding how we want to play certain opponents, whether it’s a double-team or single or off-coverage versus press coverage or whatever it happens to be for that week. So, Josh does a great job. Our entire coaching staff does a great job individually with their players. But, that position specifically, because you’re out there on an island and you’re out there with another great athlete, everything’s got to be right.”
Players show spirit
More than 20 players were on hand at the annual holiday party as about 250 children in need from the Salvation Army and community centers throughout New England were treated to food and holiday-themed games and presents.
“This is something we’re honored to be in a position to do,” said Kraft, “and I’m really proud of so many of our players, who do so much, and they really enjoy doing it, and understand their celebrity is a chance for them to do simple things to make people feel very good.”
Added defensive lineman Lawrence Guy: “It’s great seeing the joy on the kids faces.”