Vrabel's Staff Discussion Thread (Discuss related news here)

[RobertWeathers]

As much as I like vravel and think he's the coach the team needs, everything I've read and heard makes me uneasy for how he is going to fill his staff

Still early.

 

[Vindicate]

So happy to see this.

 

[RobertWeathers]

So happy to see this.

Can't really say Bob Bicknell did a bad job. HH had a resurgent year and Hooper had his best year since 2019. Combined they had over 110 catches, 1100yds and 5tds.

 

[WesternMAPatsfan]

So happy to see this.

Think bicknell deserved at least consideration. The TE actually did decent. Rest, not so much

 

[WesternMAPatsfan]

My main concern in am OC not named McDaniels is that there only two outcomes, one better than the other, but neither long term great.
1) they suck for a year or two and get fired and you have to go through a change

Or

2) they do really well for a year or two, then leave for a HC job, and another OC in a couple of years

Neither one of those I think are great long term outcomes

 

[Vindicate]

Can't really say Bob Bicknell did a bad job. HH had a resurgent year and Hooper had his best year since 2019. Combined they had over 110 catches, 1100yds and 5tds.

Could Hooper's resurgence just be the product of having Maye throwing as opposed to some low tier QB's since Ryan? Same for Henry? Dunno. With HH being one of our top passing options, those numbers are still quite pedestrian.

 

[Vindicate]

Think bicknell deserved at least consideration. The TE actually did decent. Rest, not so much

Compared to the garbage **** sandwich, yes, those numbers look decent. I think it was more Maye than Bicknell.

 

[Sect140]

As much as I like vravel and think he's the coach the team needs, everything I've read and heard makes me uneasy for how he is going to fill his staff

He hasn’t hired anyone yet. He said he was going to take his time.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Could Hooper's resurgence just be the product of having Maye throwing as opposed to some low tier QB's since Ryan? Same for Henry? Dunno. With HH being one of our top passing options, those numbers are still quite pedestrian.

Maye is a better Qb so sure. As the position coach for these two guys he should receive some slice of the credit pie.

The fan base is so quick to blame the coaches when players suck. How about we issue some credit when the players do well?

 

[Vindicate]

Maye is a better Qb so sure. As the position coach for these two guys he should receive some slice of the credit pie.

The fan base is so quick to blame the coaches when players suck. How about we issue some credit when the players do well?

Fair enough, I see what you're saying. Do we think we'll miss Bicknell's presence? Or can we find a coach that can replicate/improve on those numbers?

What TE units have been really solid around the league? Maybe there are a few to poach? Or maybe bring up from CFB?

 

[RobertWeathers]

Fair enough, I see what you're saying. Do we think we'll miss Bicknell's presence? Or can we find a coach that can replicate/improve on those numbers?

I dunno. Bob Bicknell has been a coach three decades in the NFL. From first-hand experience I can't say he's great or sucks but typically if one is a good coach you'll find a job.

He might return. Depending on who they bring in for OC will influence that.

What TE units have been really solid around the league? Maybe there are a few to poach? Or maybe bring up from CFB?

BUF, OAK, MIA to name a few.

 

[Sect140]

The first official OC interview - in the surprise category (or maybe a Rooney interview):

Thomas Brown

Hell no! He is like Mayo, he was thrown to the Lions when he wasn’t ready. At one point this season he wasn’t even the OC, he got elevated to OC when the OC was let go, then when the head coach was fired he was promoted to head coach. Nothing against the guy but he wasn’t read to be OC nevermind head coach

 

[Ross12]

I dunno. Bob Bicknell has been a coach three decades in the NFL. From first-hand experience I can't say he's great or sucks but typically if one is a good coach you'll find a job.

He might return. Depending on who they bring in for OC will influence that.

BUF, OAK, MIA to name a few.

Bicknell was fine. He can be upgraded. He just looked good when his position group is compared to how badly others around him did. Would I have been mad if they kept him? No. Am I mad that he’s being replaced? No.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Sure, and we have seen how many highly picked, had a decent first year, young QB get messed up by switching offenses and OCs too many times the first couple years? Even if its 5% of his time learning a new offense, thats more then i want him spending on anything but the holes in his game that only he can fix thru time and repetition. If Maye was a 4 or 5 year vet and closer to a finished product id be on board with him learning the new offense but this year is crucial for that 2nd year jump. Id much rather the guy who has been an OC for 20 years have to do some extra work and thinking.

I agree with you but think it is a minor concern.

Maye will be around for 15 years (hopefully), so I see the personality and fit of the OC with Maye as a major issue. We have seen Maye's performance and his skill set looks exciting, but he needs a LOT of in-game coaching. I would like to have an OC who is more hands on, more Xs and Os, teaching Maye all game, unlike AVP. I think this is a major concern and what I think the new OC should be judged on.

I think you are majoring in a minor concern.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Bicknell was fine. He can be upgraded. He just looked good when his position group is compared to how badly others around him did. Would I have been mad if they kept him? No. Am I mad that he’s being replaced? No.

Yea i'm indifferent as well.

 

[mgdouche]

From the Globe Sunday notes column:

New coach Mike Vrabel said he won’t put a timetable on naming a Patriots coaching staff, but movement is happening. One league source said “he’s getting the band back together” from his tenure in Tennessee, and one name that has emerged is strength coach Frank Piraino, who joined the Titans in 2019 and rose to director of sports performance over five years. Piraino is familiar with New England, having worked for Boston College from 2013-18. Piraino spent the 2024 season as the Giants’ director of strength and conditioning, but no longer appears on their website.

link

 

[PWRxWLF]

From the Globe Sunday notes column:

New coach Mike Vrabel said he won’t put a timetable on naming a Patriots coaching staff, but movement is happening. One league source said “he’s getting the band back together” from his tenure in Tennessee, and one name that has emerged is strength coach Frank Piraino, who joined the Titans in 2019 and rose to director of sports performance over five years. Piraino is familiar with New England, having worked for Boston College from 2013-18. Piraino spent the 2024 season as the Giants’ director of strength and conditioning, but no longer appears on their website.

Was this Frank guy the S&C coach when they had back to back injury riddled seasons? Not sure how I feel about that.

 

[Vindicate]

I agree with you but think it is a minor concern.

Maye will be around for 15 years (hopefully), so I see the personality and fit of the OC with Maye as a major issue. We have seen Maye's performance and his skill set looks exciting, but he needs a LOT of in-game coaching. I would like to have an OC who is more hands on, more Xs and Os, teaching Maye all game, unlike AVP. I think this is a major concern and what I think the new OC should be judged on.

I think you are majoring in a minor concern.

For the gripe that some have with McDaniels (and I'm certainly guilty of such from time to time) he, when outlining how he was gonna work with Mac, said something along the lines of "I want them to learn everything. We want to build a strong fundamental base and then continually build on that, game by game, year over year. I think it is best when the QB knows the why of everything."

Definitely not verbatim, but point being - if Maye is the fit for that, McDaniels would love to capitalize on it. I think he said it's the best way to improve each year. He kept harping on improvement, not just execution.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

For the gripe that some have with McDaniels (and I'm certainly guilty of such from time to time) he, when outlining how he was gonna work with Mac, said something along the lines of "I want them to learn everything. We want to build a strong fundamental base and then continually build on that, game by game, year over year. I think it is best when the QB knows the why of everything."

Definitely not verbatim, but point being - if Maye is the fit for that, McDaniels would love to capitalize on it. I think he said it's the best way to improve each year. He kept harping on improvement, not just execution.

Thank you. And I think that is far more important than relearning a new offensive system's nomenclature.

 

[PatsFan2]

My main concern in am OC not named McDaniels is that there only two outcomes, one better than the other, but neither long term great.
1) they suck for a year or two and get fired and you have to go through a change

Or

2) they do really well for a year or two, then leave for a HC job, and another OC in a couple of years

Neither one of those I think are great long term outcomes

Why is it so quiet on the McDaniels front??