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BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – On Sunday, Josh McDaniels will be one of the most important members of the Patriots coaching staff. As offensive coordinator, he'll be the one calling the plays and talking with Tom Brady throughout the game.

It's a far cry from his first Super Bowl experience.

Back in February of 2002, McDaniels was a lowly coaching assistant and joined the Patriots as surprise participants in Super Bowl XXXVI against the mighty St. Louis Rams.

So, when New England was pulling off one of the greatest upsets in Super Bowl history, what exactly was McDaniels doing.

"I was taking photos," McDaniels said on Thursday as he prepared eighth trip to the big game. "I was pressing a button in the press box, taking the still photos for the coaches in the booth in New Orleans. I was breaking the film down on defense that year, and then that was my job on game day."

McDaniels couldn't take the smile off his face as he discussed all of the elements that went into that memorable day.

"I made it down to the field eventually," he added. "That was a great memory. My wife and I, we were poorer than poor, we had no money and it was one of the greatest days.

"We didn't have any kids and we'll remember it forever because it was one of those things that you don't plan for, you have no idea it's coming and all of sudden we're 14-point underdogs and we win and we're down there on the field celebrating and we're not really sure what happened. It was a great time and we have a lot of pictures to remember it by and we're trying to add to it now."