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

[Steve102]

Anyone think that Vrabel and this staff will be a draw for FAs as much as Maye is?

Certainly driven players who want to be coached hard and win will gravitate to the Pats.

Keion White should thrive in this setting, and I expect players like Trent Brown won’t want to come here, let alone stay here.

I think they'll definitely gain FA street cred with this staff.

 

[upstater1]

That would might make him a bad HC candidate, I fail to see why it would be an impediment as OL coach with someone else running the show

I never said that.

 

[upstater1]

I don’t know what to make of Keion White. His draft day video made it seem like he was extremely pissed to be drafted by the Pats and never wanted to be involved with Belichick. But his comments towards the end of the season made it sound like he was pissed at the foolishness of Mayo as coach. Will be interesting to see what happens here. I can see him either turning into a beast or being shipped out in training camp with harsh final words, not really seeing the in-between happening.

Not at all the case about his draft video.

When he was picked, he celebrated.

The video that ESPN showed was of him sitting and watching the TV several minutes after getting pick.

This was wildly misinterpreted.

 

[Joey007]

That would might make him a bad HC candidate, I fail to see why it would be an impediment as OL coach with someone else running the show

Some pretty bad HC’s make great OL coaches. Look at Bill Callahan.

 

[hornetfb85]

Based on what?

Well, pretty obvious to me its based on

Or he’s related to Matt Patricia.

 

[Urgent]

Interesting that Marrone's hiring was announced, but the role wasn't. Obvious role would seem to be OL coach. But maybe it's another advisor/assistant thing? 20 years experience, mostly OL.
Brown as an offensive coach, working under Sean McVay - more valuable experience.
This coaching staff is so different from the last one.

The last one was "collaborative" with a group of young leaders-of-men, but limited experience in their roles.
Mayo had never been a coordinator. AVP had never called plays. Covington had limited experience outside DL.
Now they have Vrabel, McDaniels, and Marrone who are all former head coaches, and others will decades of experience.
Will they all work together? You have people from very different systems. That could be the risk of swinging the pendulum too far the opposite way.
But coming out of last year it sure can generate enthusiasm.

 

[Ross12]

What did I tell you about Higgins? Over and over and over.

Do.
Not.
Set.
Your.
Whole.
Offseason.
On.
Him.

They are finally trending up. This is the first time they trended up since they beat the Rams in the SB the second time. Since then, it's been a slide backwards. Brady was the most unhappy 8-0 QB because it was over in 2019 and he knew it. I might give you a brief blip of upswing on Jones' rookie year, but Bill eff'd that up because he couldn't get out of his Nixonian level paranoia and had to stay in his circle of trust when he replaced JMcD with FM and JJ. Don't get all twisted because Vrabel has a plan and when they don't stretch to $35m for Higgins he goes to some also-ran team. There's light at the end of the tunnel, first time in years. Don't allow yourself to get so excited (pun intended) that when they don't sign Higgins, you get pissed off.

I hope they can snag Higgins, and while I would like it, I don't expect it. What I DO expect is for Vrabel to be able to get a lot of overlooked vets in the doors here who want their chance, like he got as a player coming here from Pittsburgh - or guys who don't set "league records" for new deals on day 1 of free agency but are perfectly solid and come in on day 3/4. They'll shore up weak spots (safety, linebacker, tackle, receiver to name a few) with vets in free agency and then focus on talent in the draft instead of plugging holes. They have the cash for some big deals like Higgins but think about how many B tier guys they can bring in for the same capital. Really build up the team without creating excessive pay disparity in the locker room.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Interesting that Marrone's hiring was announced, but the role wasn't. Obvious role would seem to be OL coach. But maybe it's another advisor/assistant thing? 20 years experience, mostly OL.
Brown as an offensive coach, working under Sean McVay - more valuable experience.
This coaching staff is so different from the last one.

The last one was "collaborative" with a group of young leaders-of-men, but limited experience in their roles.
Mayo had never been a coordinator. AVP had never called plays. Covington had limited experience outside DL.
Now they have Vrabel, McDaniels, and Marrone who are all former head coaches, and others will decades of experience.
Will they all work together? You have people from very different systems. That could be the risk of swinging the pendulum too far the opposite way.
But coming out of last year it sure can generate enthusiasm.

Yea you might have a "Team of Rivals" Doris Kearns Goodwin thing going here. But if the leader is strong and consistent, it could be excellent....and I think Vrabes is that.

 

[Steve102]

I hope they can snag Higgins, and while I would like it, I don't expect it. What I DO expect is for Vrabel to be able to get a lot of overlooked vets in the doors here who want their chance, like he got as a player coming here from Pittsburgh - or guys who don't set "league records" for new deals on day 1 of free agency but are perfectly solid and come in on day 3/4. They'll shore up weak spots (safety, linebacker, tackle, receiver to name a few) with vets in free agency and then focus on talent in the draft instead of plugging holes. They have the cash for some big deals like Higgins but think about how many B tier guys they can bring in for the same capital. Really build up the team without creating excessive pay disparity in the locker room.

I think they will do exactly that. I think they'll kick the tires and see the interest in Higgins, but they are going to bring in NFL level FAs later on like you said, as opposed to the previous regime bringing in practice squad players.

 

[Hammer of Thor]

I hope they can snag Higgins, and while I would like it, I don't expect it. What I DO expect is for Vrabel to be able to get a lot of overlooked vets in the doors here who want their chance, like he got as a player coming here from Pittsburgh - or guys who don't set "league records" for new deals on day 1 of free agency but are perfectly solid and come in on day 3/4. They'll shore up weak spots (safety, linebacker, tackle, receiver to name a few) with vets in free agency and then focus on talent in the draft instead of plugging holes. They have the cash for some big deals like Higgins but think about how many B tier guys they can bring in for the same capital. Really build up the team without creating excessive pay disparity in the locker room.

Likely with a large focus on ex-Titans and ex-Browns who spent time with Vrabel already and can help establish the culture.

 

[PatsFan2]

What did I tell you about Higgins? Over and over and over.

Do.
Not.
Set.
Your.
Whole.
Offseason.
On.
Him.

They are finally trending up. This is the first time they trended up since they beat the Rams in the SB the second time. Since then, it's been a slide backwards. Brady was the most unhappy 8-0 QB because it was over in 2019 and he knew it. I might give you a brief blip of upswing on Jones' rookie year, but Bill eff'd that up because he couldn't get out of his Nixonian level paranoia and had to stay in his circle of trust when he replaced JMcD with FM and JJ. Don't get all twisted because Vrabel has a plan and when they don't stretch to $35m for Higgins he goes to some also-ran team. There's light at the end of the tunnel, first time in years. Don't allow yourself to get so excited (pun intended) that when they don't sign Higgins, you get pissed off.

Buzz Kill Steve!!!

 

[mgcolby]

Interesting that Marrone's hiring was announced, but the role wasn't. Obvious role would seem to be OL coach. But maybe it's another advisor/assistant thing? 20 years experience, mostly OL.
Brown as an offensive coach, working under Sean McVay - more valuable experience.
This coaching staff is so different from the last one.

The last one was "collaborative" with a group of young leaders-of-men, but limited experience in their roles.
Mayo had never been a coordinator. AVP had never called plays. Covington had limited experience outside DL.
Now they have Vrabel, McDaniels, and Marrone who are all former head coaches, and others will decades of experience.
Will they all work together? You have people from very different systems. That could be the risk of swinging the pendulum too far the opposite way.
But coming out of last year it sure can generate enthusiasm.

Has it been announced that McAdoo is not returning? Because that would be a 4th person with HC experience on the staff. This staff is not only full of experience with a sprinkling of up and comers, but its not all alumni of Bill. So for all the *****ing and moaning we have heard from the usual suspects on the radio and even here about its just Bill's retreads, turned out to be ********.

For the record, I wanted Vrabel and was meh about McDaniel's coming back didn't love it, but didn't hate it either. But this is an eclectic group of individuals from many systems and backgrounds both young and old. I think without hitting the field or playing a game, this is about as an A+ as you can get for Vrabel. I am beyond excited about this coaching staff and it may not be complete.

 

[The Gr8est]

Likely with a large focus on ex-Titans and ex-Browns who spent time with Vrabel already and can help establish the culture.

And Bears, Rams, and other organizations who we poached coaches from.

This is a feature, not a bug.

 

[Huckleberry1]

This is shaping up to be an experienced, accomplished coaching staff. Almost everyone hired will be in a coaching position at their highest level of competence. I’m really impressed at what Vrabel is assembling.

Now they need players.

Agree completely. And I think the view of the Patriots this free agent season is going to be entirely different than it was last year. With Vrabel, Maye, and that coaching staff I think it will be much easier to get quality free agents to want to come here to play.

 

[Steve102]

Buzz Kill Steve!!!

Why is it buzz kill? They will 100% be better in 2025.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Buzz Kill Steve!!!

Nope. That’s Steve sharing some hard truths. Vrabel is going to build his lines and defensive front 7 first, then address their other needs. And thanks the sweet baby Jesus he’s not going to give a #2 receiver Superstar money.

 

[scott99]

Wow...Just watched his highlights for the year. Seems like a young McCaffery type player, good hands, can make people miss and can rush between the hash marks.

I watched Skatebo all year, he reminds me of a mini John Riggins. Like Riggins, it’s not all steam rolling. Riggins, early in his career, had good speed for some break away runs. Skatebo has that, as well as some elusiveness. I would love for the Pats to land him, has excellent hands as a receiver out of the backfield too.

 

[Hammer of Thor]

Nope. That’s Steve sharing some hard truths. Vrabel is going to build his lines and defensive front 7 first, then address their other needs. And thanks the sweet baby Jesus he’s not going to give a #2 receiver Superstar money.

The two best offensive lines and defensive lines are in the SB. That’s not a coincidence. Yeah, KC has Mahomes, but Hurts isn’t exactly a superstar QB. He’s competent. I’d like to think Maye can at least reach the competent level, and if we can get similar OL and DL then maybe we can be the ones meeting the Chiefs in the AFCCG often in the near future.

 

[Water Boy]

What did I tell you about Higgins? Over and over and over.

Do.
Not.
Set.
Your.
Whole.
Offseason.
On.
Him.

They are finally trending up. This is the first time they trended up since they beat the Rams in the SB the second time. Since then, it's been a slide backwards. Brady was the most unhappy 8-0 QB because it was over in 2019 and he knew it. I might give you a brief blip of upswing on Jones' rookie year, but Bill eff'd that up because he couldn't get out of his Nixonian level paranoia and had to stay in his circle of trust when he replaced JMcD with FM and JJ. Don't get all twisted because Vrabel has a plan and when they don't stretch to $35m for Higgins he goes to some also-ran team. There's light at the end of the tunnel, first time in years. Don't allow yourself to get so excited (pun intended) that when they don't sign Higgins, you get pissed off.

If we were just a few players away from serious contention, I'd consider it, but I don't see him as someone to build the offense around on a second contract. The Jamar Chase factor is real. No way he comes close to living up to his previous production IMO. At best I could see him with about 60 catches and 800 yards.

 

[Ross12]

And Bears, Rams, and other organizations who we poached coaches from.

This is a feature, not a bug.

Vrabel - connected to Titans and Browns players (former HC and heavily involved consultant, respectively)
McDaniels - connected to Raiders players (if they liked him) (former HC)
Brown - connected to Bears, Panthers and Rams players (former OC for first 2 places, and Assistant HC for Rams)
Marrone - connected to Saints players (former OL coach in '22-'23)
Williams - connected to Lions players (former DL coach that Hutchinson loved)

Those guys stand out to me