The Story of Mike Vrabel

[memento]

Once upon a time in 2000, the Pittsburgh Stealers had a no name linebacker behind joey porter and a few other big name starters. he used to be a scrawny defensive end, but then they converted him to a decent size linebacker.

also in 2000, bill belichick and scott pioli came to the patriots. their philosophy was sign a bunch of cheap free agents, push them hard, and see how far they can go.

mike vrabel was one of those guys, along side david patten, otis smith, roman phifer (a bit more expensive if i remember right), bryn cox, and a bunch of other people you might not remember if you're a new new england fan (less than 7 years).

part of vrabel's selling point was he sacked drew bledsoe (our old star quarterback) to clinch the AFC division playoffs for the stealers around 1998. kind of like the way bill belichick signed wes welker last season b/c he did so well against us while playing in miami.

vrabel's done moderately well here for a linebacker. he's played in the pro bowl. he's given us 44 sacks of joy in his 7 seasons as a patriot. he's caught a few touchdown passes.

i think we're all happy he's on the team and still a contributing veteran.

and it's all because bill belichick did some bargain hunting, looking for backup players not being used right.

so when bill belichick signs a player or two that makes your head scratch

remember he's gotten us 3 rings by signing players that make your head scratch.

 

[oldskool138]

Who are the Stealers?

 

[RussFrancis]

When Belichick brings in guys on the cheap that are the all-time sacks leaders at schools like Ohio State, he pretty much should be applauded. Id like to see a little more of that kindof thievery performed to compliment our secondary at this point.

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

Once upon a time in 2000, the Pittsburgh Stealers had a no name linebacker behind joey porter and a few other big name starters. he used to be a scrawny defensive end, but then they converted him to a decent size linebacker.

also in 2000, bill belichick and scott pioli came to the patriots. their philosophy was sign a bunch of cheap free agents, push them hard, and see how far they can go.

mike vrabel was one of those guys, along side david patten, otis smith, roman phifer (a bit more expensive if i remember right), bryn cox, and a bunch of other people you might not remember if you're a new new england fan (less than 7 years).

part of vrabel's selling point was he sacked drew bledsoe (our old star quarterback) to clinch the AFC division playoffs for the stealers around 1998. kind of like the way bill belichick signed wes welker last season b/c he did so well against us while playing in miami.

vrabel's done moderately well here for a linebacker. he's played in the pro bowl. he's given us 44 sacks of joy in his 7 seasons as a patriot. he's caught a few touchdown passes.

i think we're all happy he's on the team and still a contributing veteran.

and it's all because bill belichick did some bargain hunting, looking for backup players not being used right.

so when bill belichick signs a player or two that makes your head scratch

remember he's gotten us 3 rings by signing players that make your head scratch.

I think all of his completions have been for TDs? And he should have a SB MVP on his resume too.....Not to dis Branch, but

 

[cartmen]

you left out the part where he goes to the SB with a huge underdog team and punches Brenda Warner's husband in the mouth as Ty Law takes it to the Hizzy. Still my fav Patriot Moment

 

[Brady to Brown]

Who are the Stealers?

The Stealers won the Superbowl a couple of years ago. Anyone following any of the calls made during their run has been calling them the Stealers ever since. Unless he just spelled it wrong

 

[PatriotNMP43]

The Stealers won the Superbowl a couple of years ago. Anyone following any of the calls made during their run has been calling them the Stealers ever since. Unless he just spelled it wrong

I think he means ''stealers'' as in being the 1st team in the mid to late 70's to have a dynasty of steroid users. The whole team stunk of used needles or so i am told. All teams have done it but the stealers were the pioneers of steroid use, their claim to fame. Some would say all 5 SB titles are tainted(not me).

 

[mcbee]

Doesn't always work though. Monty Beisel, Duane Starks, and starks they actually traded a pick for.

 

[JMarr]

I think he means ''stealers'' as in being the 1st team in the mid to late 70's to have a dynasty of steroid users. The whole team stunk of used needles or so i am told. All teams have done it but the stealers were the pioneers of steroid use, their claim to fame. Some would say all 5 SB titles are tainted(not me).

Roided up or not, those guys were pure old-school nasty. And I HATED the Steelers in the 70's

 

[Patslifer]

Roided up or not, those guys were pure old-school nasty. And I HATED the Steelers in the 70's

Haha, anyone who thinks that no pats players take steriods is a homer of epic proportions.

 

[PatriotNMP43]

Haha, anyone who thinks that no pats players take steriods is a homer of epic proportions.

no pats take steriods or steroids either, HGH is the drug of choice nowadays, just ask rodney.

 

[Patslifer]

no pats take steriods or steroids either, HGH is the drug of choice nowadays, just ask rodney.

False, there are tons of different designer testosterone compounds, no way to test for them all. I can say for a fact, at least some patriots are on the sauce. HGH does not have the muscle building / performance potential that test does. With millions at stake, guys are doing it. Every team has guys who use, its a fact of the game.

The NFL is worse than the MLB when it comes to drug use. It's all in the dark now, but it will come out someday. With so much injury, and pain, drugs are far more attractive to football players than most other sports.

 

[JMarr]

False, there are tons of different designer testosterone compounds, no way to test for them all. I can say for a fact, at least some patriots are on the sauce. HGH does not have the muscle building / performance potential that test does. With millions at stake, guys are doing it. Every team has guys who use, its a fact of the game.

You're right, it is a fact of the game.

No one ever said that no Patriots are on the sauce--I don't know where that came from. My point about the Steelers was that I admire the hell out of the toughness and determination of those players, whether they were on the sauce or not, and in spite of the fact that I hated the Steelers as a team.

 

[jeffbiologist]

False, there are tons of different designer testosterone compounds, no way to test for them all. I can say for a fact, at least some patriots are on the sauce. HGH does not have the muscle building / performance potential that test does. With millions at stake, guys are doing it. Every team has guys who use, its a fact of the game.

The NFL is worse than the MLB when it comes to drug use. It's all in the dark now, but it will come out someday. With so much injury, and pain, drugs are far more attractive to football players than most other sports.

TRY, JUST TRY and put marijuana on the banned substance list for the NBA and there wouldnt be anyone left playing. It is written into the collective bargaining that they cant test for it.....nuff said?

 

[jeffbiologist]

Once upon a time in 2000, the Pittsburgh Stealers had a no name linebacker behind joey porter and a few other big name starters. he used to be a scrawny defensive end, but then they converted him to a decent size linebacker.

also in 2000, bill belichick and scott pioli came to the patriots. their philosophy was sign a bunch of cheap free agents, push them hard, and see how far they can go.

mike vrabel was one of those guys, along side david patten, otis smith, roman phifer (a bit more expensive if i remember right), bryn cox, and a bunch of other people you might not remember if you're a new new england fan (less than 7 years).

part of vrabel's selling point was he sacked drew bledsoe (our old star quarterback) to clinch the AFC division playoffs for the stealers around 1998. kind of like the way bill belichick signed wes welker last season b/c he did so well against us while playing in miami.

vrabel's done moderately well here for a linebacker. he's played in the pro bowl. he's given us 44 sacks of joy in his 7 seasons as a patriot. he's caught a few touchdown passes.

i think we're all happy he's on the team and still a contributing veteran.

and it's all because bill belichick did some bargain hunting, looking for backup players not being used right.

so when bill belichick signs a player or two that makes your head scratch

remember he's gotten us 3 rings by signing players that make your head scratch.

I have to think he has done a little better than "moderately well". He was a DE in college and in Pitts. He came here and learned to play OLB. Then we were short ILBs...well, he put on the big boy pads and went inside. Then we needed a 3rd TE for goal line, nothing but TDs. Last year was the first year he got to play 100% OLB and he made the pro bowl.....