Weasel of the Week: Josh McDaniels

"Those who fail to remember history are doomed to repeat it."--George Santayana

In 2000, Bill Belichick opted out of his contract to coach the New York Jets. Rather than succeed his mentor, Bill Parcells, with Gang Green, Belichick signed with AFC East rival New England, and the rest is, of course, history.

So what possessed Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, after the Indianapolis Colts had announced that he would accept their head coaching vacancy to replace Chuck Pagano, to bolt hours later? New England had already said goodbye to defensive coordinator Matt Patricia (Detroit), and it was assumed that McDaniels, who flopped as the head man in Denver (2009-10), would follow Patricia out the door. Patriots owner Robert Kraft probably gave McDaniels the same sales pitch he gave Belichick 18 years earlier, perhaps promising a phat contract with a lifetime guarantee and a supply of Velveeta cheese on the side, and, in this case, perhaps sweetening the pot by designating McDaniels as the coach-in-waiting if Belichick decides to end his Hall of Fame career after next season or whenever.

To fans outside of New England, it's reeking of heinosity. McDaniels never signed the contract, and a press conference was scheduled for today in Indianapolis. Apparently, Kraft felt he couldn't let both of Belichick's most trusted aides go at the same time, and had to do something to lure McDaniels back in. Patricia, an RPI product, looks like a refugee from Duck Dynasty, even though his beard is way shorter than the Robertson boys, and as such, didn't fit the profile to be the next Patriot coach, even though he was a big contributor to their success. With branches of the Patriot famuly tree in place in Houston (Bill O'Brien), Detroit (Patricia), and Tennessee (former player and Super Bowl hero Mike Vrabel), Kraft didn't want a 3rd branch in the AFC South for some reason.

However, the Weasel ears go to McDaniels for reneging on his deal with the Colts before signing on the dotted line. If McDaniels wanted a raise from Kraft, he probably got one at the last possible minute, plus that promise of a promotion I referred to earlier. One more reason for the Patriots to be booed out of the building the next time they're in Indianapolis.