Coach Vrabel addresses the team

[The Gr8est]

Geez. You can see how much more organized and natural Vrabel is over Mayo. He isn't messing around.

And for the Christian reference for being on time. I've had coaches that just name players to make sure they were paying attention. It may not mean anything at all.

Is there any evidence that Vrabel knows to refer to Robert Kraft as “Thunder”?

 

[jdlboot14]

I really can't believe we had to endure such a disaster of a season under Mayo. It already seems like a blurry dream, and it's going to be something that no fan remembers anything from - except it was the "redshirt" year of The Drake.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I really can't believe we had to endure such a disaster of a season under Mayo. It already seems like a blurry dream, and it's going to be something that no fan remembers anything from - except it was the "redshirt" year of The Drake.

It sucked, but ultimately it led to the best outcome, which imo is getting Vrabel and his staff in place here. While there are some outliers the two pieces you have to have to contend are a really good coach, and a really good quarterback, and I think they now have both.

 

[signbabybrady]

 

[RobertWeathers]

It sucked, but ultimately it led to the best outcome, which imo is getting Vrabel and his staff in place here. While there are some outliers the two pieces you have to have to contend are a really good coach, and a really good quarterback, and I think they now have both.

It's been said a few times by people but at the end of the day, Bob did like aspects of Bill's program (Bill personally, draft history, siloed culture, etc he did not). He wanted Bill's organizational structure, but tweaked and modernized.

It took a year or observation, chaos, and failure for Bob to realize he needed a guy like Vrabel.

It's almost similar to the Parcells-> Carroll/Grier-> BB transition. One program to a radically different one to back to something similar.

I don't think BB and Vrabes are similar but philosophy and approach are more aligned than polar opposite.

 

[Steve102]

It's been said a few times by people but at the end of the day, Bob did like aspects of Bill's program (Bill personally, draft history, siloed culture, etc he did not). He wanted Bill's organizational structure, but tweaked and modernized.

It took a year or observation, chaos, and failure for Bob to realize he needed a guy like Vrabel.

It's almost similar to the Parcells-> Carroll/Grier-> BB transition. One program to a radically different one to back to something similar.

I don't think BB and Vrabes are similar but philosophy and approach are more aligned than polar opposite.

I think it's very early on, but it feels like it's going to be a mix of Parcells/Belichick. I think he's going to care more about the players as men and people, more like Parcells. I think he's going to have them execute at a high level and be prepared, like Bill. I think he'll be much more charming than either to the Krafts, where he'll be his own man. I might be off base, but I think he'll not view the Krafts as a hinderance as much as the two Bills might have.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I think it's very early on, but it feels like it's going to be a mix of Parcells/Belichick. I think he's going to care more about the players as men and people, more like Parcells. I think he's going to have them execute at a high level and be prepared, like Bill. I think he'll be much more charming than either to the Krafts, where he'll be his own man. I might be off base, but I think he'll not view the Krafts as a hinderance as much as the two Bills might have.

Yep. Vrabes "way" about him is obviously a lot more like Tuna than Bill. Certainly with the media Vrabes is pretty smooth and confident but players killed themselves for Parcells. He had those relationships with players. I sense that sme dynamic with players and Vrabes.

 

[Ross12]

Yep. Vrabes "way" about him is obviously a lot more like Tuna than Bill. Certainly with the media Vrabes is pretty smooth and confident but players killed themselves for Parcells. He had those relationships with players. I sense that sme dynamic with players and Vrabes.

Good points. Belichick was also pretty similar to Parcells in many ways as far as coaching, though obviously different in some interpersonal stuff. Rarely would you find a guy who wanted to play “for” Belichick, but his intellect and ability commanded their respect. Vrabel threads that needle where he has that coaching ability (though it’s hard to expect him to match BB) but also is a guy that players will look up to and want to play hard for personally.

Honestly I still can’t believe he was fired, then wasn’t hired last year, and then Mayo was fired, and he landed in NE. Still feels like a fever dream. He’s still so young. Seems like the team is set up for very long term success with him.

 

[Hammer of Thor]

Good points. Belichick was also pretty similar to Parcells in many ways as far as coaching, though obviously different in some interpersonal stuff. Rarely would you find a guy who wanted to play “for” Belichick, but his intellect and ability commanded their respect. Vrabel threads that needle where he has that coaching ability (though it’s hard to expect him to match BB) but also is a guy that players will look up to and want to play hard for personally.

Honestly I still can’t believe he was fired, then wasn’t hired last year, and then Mayo was fired, and he landed in NE. Still feels like a fever dream. He’s still so young. Seems like the team is set up for very long term success with him.

Belichick was 48 his first season here, Vrabel will be 50. I’m being a real Pollyanna here, but I see so many similarities with his time and firing in Tennessee to Bill’s time in Cleveland. I suspect and hope Vrabel will have success kind of like John Harbaugh with the Ravens, constantly having the team being a pain in the neck for opponents and consistently in the playoffs, even if not winning SB at the BB/Brady clip. If we can get that and be set at HC for the next 15 years I’ll be thrilled.

 

[DarrylS]

I like the emphasis on respecting the support personnel, not sure where that came from, but caring for and "protected the shield" begins in all aspects of the organization.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I'd get cut because between sets with weights at the gym I often look at my cellphone. Kids these days...

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Rumor has it that Vrabel was the only guy who would go into Belichicks office and put his feet on the desk or say this,

read to the end,,,
The time Mike Vrabel made the entire locker room – even Bill Belichick – laugh
nsfw

In part because, much like Tom Brady, he always had all the answers.

I remember that one season they graded Vrabel out as not having made a single mental error for the entire season, and he was so versatile that they never needed to pull him off the field because he'd be a liability.

 

[JohnJH]

This is exactly what I hoped for and expected from Vrabel to get the ball rolling.

 

[DaBruinz]

I love what I have seen from Vrabel. I think he surrounded himself with the right people, and he has clear vision of where he wants to get and how he plans on getting there. I also think he wants them to have the identity of a tough smart aggressive team, and he’s bringing in the players and systems to create that identity.

I like what I've seen from Vrabel as well. I am not so sure about all the hires. The big one I worry about is Frank Piraino. He's the guy who was blamed for the Titans having a bunch of injuries. The Pats just can't go through having 14 guys on IR including guys like Barmore and Gonzalez.

 

[Lavictoire]

Are they teenagers? Unbelievable these guys need to be told to be on time and call if you are going to be late. Take the hoodie off in meetings. Get off the phone. Have these guys ever had a job? How much are they getting paid?

 

[neckroll#14]

Are they teenagers? Unbelievable these guys need to be told to be on time and call if you are going to be late. Take the hoodie off in meetings. Get off the phone. Have these guys ever had a job? How much are they getting paid?

Seriously... that's the basic expectation of cashiers and bagboys at Market Basket...

 

[Real fan 02]

In Tennessee, Vrabel would call out the name of specific players who were leaders with stuff like this. It was to set an example. He would basically be kinda giving them crap and so other players lower on the totem pole would say “oh man he’s giving that guy crap and he’s way above me, I need to be on my game”.

As for who “Christian” is - it could be three different guys lol (Gonzalez, Barmore, Ellis). I am guessing it’s Gonzo though. He’s probably the most talented player on the roster right now and he has the mentality to take some ****.

Ross.. your exactly correct. I noticed just how involved Vrabel is personally with his players.. participation in Gonzo s foundation for mental health.

Guys just everything you want in a HC. We are lucky to have landed Vrabel.

 

[Real fan 02]

Re the training staff, kitchen staff and equipment staff: "They're not here to be your valet, your butler, your maid"... do players really treat them like that? Yikes

You'd be surprised SB1.. a buddy of mine said his cousin owned a tattoo parlor and Willie Mac tried to stiff him out of paying

 

[Water Boy]

Vrabes won't be handing out orange slices

 

[Wozzy]

It’s good to see the players having less fun.

Fun should be derived from winning, winning is fun.