Devin McCourty has a pretty good idea how tough it is to pick up Josh McDaniels' offense.
That’s why the former Patriots captain was surprised the Patriots didn’t hold onto David Andrews at least until the end of training camp.
Andrews knows McDaniels offense better than anyone, and in McCourty’s view that would have benefited Drake Maye.
“Even if Dave doesn’t make the roster at the end of training camp, I just think about the impact for Drake Maye and that offense, with all that Josh is installing,” McCourty told MassLive Monday. “To me, from April all the way til the end of August, seems like it would have been so valuable in having (Andrews). And even if another guy emerges as your center, that’s fine.”
In 2021, McCourty saw first hand the impact Andrews had with a young quarterback trying to get a handle on the McDaniels offense.
“Josh’s system is a lot. Like Mac Jones was in that damn building from 2:30 to 11 o’clock at night as a rookie,” McCourty recalled. “I think it helped him a lot having a guy who could handle all of the protections, and all of those things, without him really being involved to an extent.
“I think that would have helped Drake. It just seems like the team could have benefitted. But I don’t know (what went into the decision).”
McCourty said he would have loved being a fly on the wall listening to those deliberations. But if it was up to him, he would have stuck with Andrews.
The Patriots, however, released the veteran center and 8-time captain last week.
“David’s older, coming off an injury. But he’s a leader, he’s been there, he knows Josh McDaniels offense,” McCourty said. “Keep him for camp, then release him if it comes to that.”
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