Vrabel - New England Patriots Forums

***Patjew*** · 11-14-2008, 08:13 AM

I am not into the hammering, complaining kind of threads, but I am wondering if Vrabel has really slowed down as much as it appears to me. I keyed on him several plays last night, and he really does look a step or 4 slower than the beginning of last year. He's been such an integral part of the D, and seeing him almost never get to the QB is frustrating.

Is it age or scheme or am I nuts? Did losing Colvin on the other side really affect his play?

***DaBruinz*** · 11-14-2008, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patjew

I am not into the hammering, complaining kind of threads, but I am wondering if Vrabel has really slowed down as much as it appears to me. I keyed on him several plays last night, and he really does look a step or 4 slower than the beginning of last year. He's been such an integral part of the D, and seeing him almost never get to the QB is frustrating.

Is it age or scheme or am I nuts? Did losing Colvin on the other side really affect his play?

I watched Vrabel as well and some of it is definitely the scheme, having him line up 1-2 yards off the line and THEN try to rush the passer. That's not his style. However, Vrabel, as the ROLB, also has more run stopping responsibilities on the outside edge. That being said, when Vrabel lined up on the line, he was getting pressure on Favre. He just wasn't getting the sacks.

JR4 · 11-14-2008, 08:22 AM

I hate to say this but there was an angle shot of him that made me
think "man, Vrabs has put on some weight" If true, that may account
for a lost step or two. He may not be as Quick as he use to be but he has
the experience and and is a great run defender even if he has lost a step.

satz · 11-14-2008, 08:45 AM

Vrabel and Seymour constantly moved the pile left. we could not geneate too much presure form left side of the DL. Ty warran was a big lose as he keeps wright and green fresh for the pressure package in the 4th quater.every DL gets worn down in the 4th quater and we missed having him . vince was in their more too .again it was a game we dominated in every stat except the for the win. the 3 3 and out was huge in the 3rd quater.

satz · 11-14-2008, 08:51 AM

Vrabel and Seymour constantly moved the pile left. we could not geneate too much presure form left side of the DL. Ty warran was a big lose as he keeps wright and green fresh for the pressure package in the 4th quater.every DL gets worn down in the 4th quater and we missed having him . vince was in their more too .again it was a game we dominated in every stat except the for the win. the 3 3 and out was huge in the 3rd quater.

I do not under the speed think he is fast for some around 265 LB .yes he will be slower than say mayo who is 25lb lighter .maybe you guys are comparing him to say leon washington who is what 90 lbs lighter.

if you put mayo at OLB he will smacked by a 310-320 LB tackle.how long do you think he will last .

***Patjew*** · 11-14-2008, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by satz

Vrabel and Seymour constantly moved the pile left. we could not geneate too much presure form left side of the DL. Ty warran was a big lose as he keeps wright and green fresh for the pressure package in the 4th quater.every DL gets worn down in the 4th quater and we missed having him . vince was in their more too .again it was a game we dominated in every stat except the for the win. the 3 3 and out was huge in the 3rd quater.

I do not under the speed think he is fast for some around 265 LB .yes he will be slower than say mayo who is 25lb lighter .maybe you guys are comparing him to say leon washington who is what 90 lbs lighter.

if you put mayo at OLB he will smacked by a 310-320 LB tackle.how long do you think he will last .

You're arguing against a point that no one is making. I don't expect Vrabel to run a 4.3 x 40 or to be as fast as anyone else. He just seems slower than he was 14 months ago. But as I said, I don't understand the schemes well enough to know if what I think I'm seeing is 100% accurate.

satz · 11-14-2008, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patjew

You're arguing against a point that no one is making. I don't expect Vrabel to run a 4.3 x 40 or to be as fast as anyone else. He just seems slower than he was 14 months ago. But as I said, I don't understand the schemes well enough to know if what I think I'm seeing is 100% accurate.

I do not think he is slower again 14 months ago he was pretty banged up. he had shoulder and ankle problem all last year. He was on the injury report and with AD taking a bigger role in coverage was not asked to drop into coverage alot.Now guyton and Mayo do coverage stuff

In coverage you see speed not when you are rushing and being blocked by a 300 LB tackle.As the time goes on rushing speed drops with all pass rushers. last year we sometimes held colvin and green out till the fourth quater to get some fresh legs. We sorely are missing a OLB who can be let out in the 4th quater.

***Patjew*** · 11-14-2008, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by satz

We sorely are missing a OLB who can be let out in the 4th quater.

Mmmm, that sounds right.

Bostonian1962 · 11-14-2008, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patjew

I am not into the hammering, complaining kind of threads, but I am wondering if Vrabel has really slowed down as much as it appears to me. I keyed on him several plays last night, and he really does look a step or 4 slower than the beginning of last year. He's been such an integral part of the D, and seeing him almost never get to the QB is frustrating.

Is it age or scheme or am I nuts? Did losing Colvin on the other side really affect his play?

IMO, it's age. There is little anybody can do, once it sneaks in. It snuck in and bit me at about age 11.

The lack of Colvin, again IMO, has zero to do with it. Colvin sucked. A. Thomas was playing better this year than Colvin ever did, what good did that do for Vrabel's play?