Returning after a three-year sabbatical that took him to Las Vegas and later the unemployment line, Josh McDaniels brought a familiar offense with him. While new wrinkles have been added, it bears a strong resemblance to the one he ran in his previous two stints as New England Patriots offensive coordinator.

For some players, that was a welcome sight. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson, wide receiver Kendrick Bourne and tight end Hunter Henry, for example, all have experience working under McDaniels. A majority of the team’s offensive roster, however, had not and was forced to adapt to a famously complex scheme.

For running back Antonio Gibson, who had yet to work McDaniels, that complexity holds the key to the Patriots’ offensive success.

“The details are crazy,” Gibson told reporters af

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