Mike Daniels: I thank God I got cut by Packers, joined 'genius' Patricia

Count Mike Daniels as one of the few professional athletes who's happy he was cut.

The defensive tackle was released by the Green Bay Packers on Wednesday after seven years with the team, but he counts the move as a blessing.

"Now I thank God. I thank God I got cut, and I have an opportunity to play with a defensive genius," Daniels said to Kyle Meinke of MLive.com.

Daniels is referring to Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia. After fielding calls from 13 teams over the course of an hour, the veteran defensive lineman signed with the Packers' division rival in order to work with Patricia, a former New England Patriots defensive coordinator.

"Just flat out, he's just a genius," Daniels continued. "He really is, man. He understands the game of football, he knows what it takes, so to be able to play for a coach like that means everything. It means everything.

"I'm really just trying to be restrained right now because I'm excited. If I could do a back flip right now, I'd do one. I'm really excited."

Daniels is already taking part in Lions training camp and should help form a formidable defensive front this season along with the likes of Damon Harrison, Trey Flowers, A'Shawn Robinson, and Da'Shawn Hand. He'll also get to face the Packers twice a year.