It’s very interesting to see that former players who once played under Josh McDaniels are not exactly shocked by this week’s firings by Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis. In particular, Super Bowl champion and all-around superstar Rob Gronkowski had some interesting things to say.
Was Josh McDaniels a true leader?
McDaniels didn’t get the job because he was popular; rather, he got the job with the Raiders because of his supposed offensive prowess. The Silver and Black were going to become a new reiteration of the success that McDaniels experienced and designed in New England. Sadly, that wasn’t the case. Whether in Sin City or with the Denver Broncos, McDaniels failed to prove he could lead an entire team and organization. Gronkowski, a witness to McDaniels’ successes, shared some insight into what might have gone wrong with the Raiders.
“I would say that his demeanor and style definitely worked under Coach [Bill] Belichick. While he was the offensive coordinator, he definitely got the attention of all of the players. He got the details of what everyone needed to do, but it wasn’t like we were going out there to play for Coach McDaniels,” (h/t Up & Adams Show).
In other words, Gronk and the rest of the Patriots simply did their jobs. McDaniels drew up the plays, and they executed them, but as Gronk states, the coordinator wasn’t their leader. No, that was Belichick. It’s not exactly a shocking statement, McDaniels, the hot shot play caller, brash and arrogant—that’s not a leader of men. You can have confidence and conviction that your “system” works, but at what cost? For McDaniels, it cost him the Raiders locker room.
“First off, he’s an unbelievable offensive coordinator. There is no doubt about that, but that does not mean it’s going to translate into being a great head coach.”
Not all men are meant to be bosses; some are better suited as right-hand men. Perhaps that’s true for Josh McDaniels.
*Top Photo: Rick Scuteri/Associated Press