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Bronco Rob · #1 (**permalink**) August 21st, 2009

McDaniels looks to continue winning ways

Josh McDaniels is not interested in "changing the culture" or "building a philosophy" as he embarks on his first head-coaching job at the age of 33. Buzz words don't interest him. He wants to cut to the chase.

"It's all very simple what my motive is: winning," said McDaniels, who parlayed wild success as New England's offensive coordinator into the top spot in Denver. "That is the only reason I'm here. I'm not interested in talking about anything else but. Every minute of this job is done with winning in mind. That's all I talk to the team about. Winning is always the message. That's the only message."

Winning is all McDaniels has ever done. He was part of three championship teams in eight seasons with the Patriots.

"I've never been on a loser -- never," McDaniels said. "I've never even been .500. Ever. I'm thinking all the way back to youth basketball. Never. I don't know what losing is like and I don't want to know what it is like. That's what I'm trying to teach here."

While he is fully involved in his duties in Denver, McDaniels admits he is still smarting over the fact that New England failed to make the playoffs last season, as well as the loss to the New York Giants in the Super Bowl two seasons ago. McDaniels said he is "dying to get back into a Super Bowl."

While observing McDaniels' first training camp as a head coach, it doesn't take long to realize he means business. McDaniels is very detail-oriented and is hardly easing into the job. He conducts fast-paced, crisp practice every day. Former coach Mike Shanahan was known for a more relaxed camp setting.

McDaniels made all of his players pass a conditioning test before they started to practice. The players who failed didn't practice until they passed. McDaniels also has his veterans stay at a local hotel, rather than at home, during camp. That never happened under Shanahan.

Every practice is an exercise in game situations. McDaniels figures he is preparing his team for competition, so they might as well work under game conditions. His practices are heavy on two-minute and red-zone drills.

"I like what is going on," cornerback Champ Bailey said. "It's different, but coach McDaniels knows what he wants. I can really tell all the guy is interested in is winning. That's good. Because that's all I care about too."

Added veteran receiver Brandon Stokley, who was on Super Bowl winning teams in Baltimore and Indianapolis: "It's reinvigorating. Coach McDaniels knows what he wants and he has a system that has worked elsewhere. He's gotten everyone's attention."

It didn't take long for McDaniels to get his players' attention. He began his tenure by feuding with and eventually trading Pro Bowl quarterback Jay Cutler. McDaniels basically told players that the only ones who would stick around would be the ones who bought into his system.
He says he believes he can win with the team he has and is not looking back. The Broncos went 8-8 last season and lost the AFC West title by losing three straight games to end the season.

Not much is expected from McDaniels' team. There's the quarterback issue, of course, and Denver's defense has yet to prove it can improve on last season's sorry effort. Plus, the Broncos have a very difficult schedule.

But McDaniels is unfazed.

"This team can win," he said. "I expect it to win. That's the only thing I expect."

McDaniels laughs long and hard when he is told that his job is the most closely watched position in football-crazed Colorado.

"The fan base is very passionate and I love it," he said. "A lot is expected from me. That was one of the draws of this job. I come from a town in Canton, Ohio that it is all pro football and high school football. It's in my blood and it's in Denver's blood. They want to win here and that's why I came here. Everything I do in this camp is to help the Broncos win. That's it."

McDaniels' motives are clear. Now, let's see if he can duplicate his New England magic in a more difficult environment.

McDaniels looks to continue winning ways - AFC West - ESPN

broncogirl · #2 (**permalink**) August 21st, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bronco Rob

I don't know what losing is like and I don't want to know what it is like. That's what I'm trying to teach here.

It's like last Friday night Coach. Just playing. I hope McDaniels works out. Tomorrow's game will show us if he is a winner or loser. Playing again sorry. GO BRONCOS!

Nemo Neem · #3 (**permalink**) August 21st, 2009

Sounds like someone is a little stand-offish.

Bronco Rob · #4 (**permalink**) October 28th, 2009

6-0

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