McDaniels is best known for overseeing a Patriots offense that set a league record for scoring (589 points) in 2007, but he cut his professional teeth as a New England defensive assistant from 2001 through '03. When McDaniels went looking for a defensive coordinator, he wanted someone who shared his philosophies and would employ an attacking 3--4 scheme. "I thought Mike and I would be a good fit," McDaniels says of Nolan, "because I would try to use my offensive background during the week to say, Hey, here are some of the keys to disrupting Carson Palmer; here's what I think Brady Quinn really likes and doesn't like; here's how I think Tony Romo gets going best. I felt we could have a good working relationship, where I could give him some insight on the other side of the ball, tell him what I think, then let him go do it. He and I communicate exceptionally well together. He's a great resource."