ENGLEWOOD, Colo.—There were two instances when Josh McDaniels made an impression on Jarvis Green. Both made it easy for the free agent defensive lineman to choose his employer for the 2010 season.
The former Patriots player said Tuesday that the first came when he arrived in New England as a rookie in 2002. McDaniels was in his second season as a coaching assistant in charge of defensive quality control and the two met for 30 to 45 minutes a day for the entire season.
“Just remembering those times, and just watching him through the process and growing as a coach, we had a great relationship, and that was something that was always sound,” Green said. “When free agency hit, my biggest thing was Denver Broncos, Denver Broncos.”
The second instance was a year ago following the Patriots’ 20-17 overtime loss to the Broncos in Denver. Moments after Matt Prater’s 41-yard field goal, Green looked back to see McDaniels’ spirited reaction to the game-winning kick.
“The last thing I remember was him giving the fist pumps after the game, and I saw that and saw the energy and saw the players playing for him,” Green said. “Everyone wants to play for a coach like that. Just watching Josh on the sideline, I was like, I want to feel that too.”
Those memories helped him finalize his decision to sign with Denver. Green agreed to a four-year deal on March 9.
Green brings a solid resume, eight seasons with the Patriots, six of them where the team reached the playoffs. He played at least 13 games a season, producing 28 sacks while helping New England secure six division championships, three conference championships and victories in two Super Bowl.
He contributed 47 tackles last year.
Getting Green further bolsters a defensive front that had already added Jamal Williams and Justin Bannan via free agency.
Linebacker Mario Haggan, a free agent acquisition a year ago, applauded the moves.
“Well, on paper I put us in the Super Bowl,” Haggan said. “You know Jamal has been proven, Justin played on some defenses in Baltimore that other teams pattern themselves after in the NFL and Jarvis has played with a bunch of good teams in New England.”
He hopes the addition will help improve a run defense that allowed 128 yards a game.
“The bottom line is we didn’t execute at the end of the year, at the time that we needed,” Haggan said. “All I know is that we’re destined to improve this year and we’ve already got some help on the defensive line.”
