Vrabel: “I don’t think we have a very deep team”

[JoeSixPat]

I don't disagree with Vrabel keeping starters out of meaningless games, but we need to prepare ourselves for a difficult September as we'll be watching the pre-season version of the team who haven't played any live snaps together since the Super Bowl

That's not to say they won't win some - just that it will likely be much sloppier football than what we'll be seeing in December.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

It’s brutally frank, and it does inoculate against the accusation that he built a 1-guy-deep Potemkin village of a team that gets “exposed” when the next man has to step up.

He also needs to dump binkies post-cutdown day. This is your warning. If you learned their names, that’s on you.

Then there will be th inevitable “but ______!?! For only a sixth?” Reaction to one of these moves

 

[Triumph]

I see Vrabes comments as a motivation tool for players to step up these last few weeks of preseason. Basically, who wants it more and is hungrier? If so show us.

 

[mgteich]

I don't disagree with Vrabel keeping starters out of meaningless games, but we need to prepare ourselves for a difficult September as we'll be watching the pre-season version of the team who haven't played any live snaps together since the Super Bowl

That's not to say they won't win some - just that it will likely be much sloppier football than what we'll be seeing in December.

Playing three controlled scrimmages is more valuable that playing 3 preseason games. No one ever played four. The last game was never for anyone but scrubs.

I don't think that we'll be ready to face the first four games, but it won't because the players didn't have enough pre-season game reps. It will be because our OL is still not all that great. It will be because we are very vulnerable to the run. It will be because we have a weak pass rush. Let's be clear, we may not be ready for the first four games, but we will have a much more successful after those games.

 

[TheRainMaker]

There is no team in the NFL that is "deep". They might be with certain position groups, but even that is rare.

Even during the Pats dynasty they had many backups that were liabilities. That's were coaching comes in to help reduce exposing those bad players when an injury occurs. Mike should know this better than anyone.

 

[Grogan14]

May be a way for him to try and motivate the fringe players to step it up for the last 2 weeks.
Howver, he has control of the front office and they have cap space, there were plenty of opportunities to do something about it through free agency.

 

[TommyD4207]

Bobby Wagner & Matt Milano could beef our LB weakness.

Bobby Wagner maybe. Matt Milano can go kick rocks. Don't need a cheap-shot artist on the team, thanks.

 

[manxman2601]

I see Vrabes comments as a motivation tool for players to step up these last few weeks of preseason. Basically, who wants it more and is hungrier? If so show us.

I think, and hope, this is right. After all, what does Vrabel expect? He cuts most of the team when he becomes HC and then doesn't re-sign, or cuts, fairly significant depth pieces like Tonga, Gibbens, Jennings at the end of his first season. That's why the team isn't very deep.

 

[TommyD4207]

I think, and hope, this is right. After all, what does Vrabel expect? He cuts most of the team when he becomes HC and then doesn't re-sign, or cuts, fairly significant depth pieces like Tonga, Gibbens, Jennings at the end of his first season. That's why the team isn't very deep.

...meh.

 

[Nunchucks]

They need to add 2 developmental guards and a LB. Maybe a corner. They have inexperienced depth in a few places, but guard is a huge problem right now.

For once, 5ackle looks good and wr looks good.

 

[Uptown]

In this league, it’s essential to have 53 All-Pros if you expect to win week in and week out…

 

[Wozzy]

I think “we’re not a deep team” was Vrabel talking through the media to his team, specifically challenging those young backups. They need to grow up and take those jobs. There were also some injuries.

That being said, I do think there are some inherent flaws with how they constructed this team. They should have either paid Tonga or found a replacement. And I don’t mean another hard working blue collar barely 300 pound guy like Durden… I mean another 340 pound athletic guy. One good nose tackle allows Barmore and Williams to thrive. Iton shouldn’t even be on an NFL roster at this point, he certainly shouldn’t be starting at NT in game two of preseason.

They also did nothing to improve the backup guard situations. They brought in Caedan Wallace, Mehki Butler and Andrew Rupcich… these guys are unathletic jags… weak stiffs. The signing of Van Roten was a result of this oversight.

This team could make some really smart roster moves after cutdown day and bolster their ranks, but they’ll have to create some roster spots to do so. They can’t unnecessarily carry 7 WR’s.

 

[Family]

I think “we’re not a deep team” was Vrabel talking through the media to his team, specifically challenging those young backups. They need to grow up and take those jobs. There were also some injuries.

That being said, I do think there are some inherent flaws with how they constructed this team. They should have either paid Tonga or found a replacement. And I don’t mean another hard working blue collar barely 300 pound guy like Durden… I mean another 340 pound athletic guy. One good nose tackle allows Barmore and Williams to thrive. Iton shouldn’t even be on an NFL roster at this point, he certainly shouldn’t be starting at NT in game two of preseason.

They also did nothing to improve the backup guard situations. They brought in Caedan Wallace, Mehki Butler and Andrew Rupcich… these guys are unathletic jags… weak stiffs. The signing of Van Roten was a result of this oversight.

This team could make some really smart roster moves after cutdown day and bolster their ranks, but they’ll have to create some roster spots to do so. They can’t unnecessarily carry 7 WR’s.

VRABEL: "And we have to be able to find some guys behind them to be backups, to be the first guy in. To be the third outside linebacker. Be the third inside linebacker. Be the sixth offensive lineman. These things that are so critical."

Vrabel is specifically singling linebacker, the position you argued incessantly was fine.

The roster is littered with JAGS at the bottom. There's plenty of roster spots available for a player of real value.

Why give away a strength pennies on the dollar, that might give the team another avenue to fill a spot later, over simply claiming others rejects or trading away picks?

 

[Triumph]

I think, and hope, this is right. After all, what does Vrabel expect? He cuts most of the team when he becomes HC and then doesn't re-sign, or cuts, fairly significant depth pieces like Tonga, Gibbens, Jennings at the end of his first season. That's why the team isn't very deep.

True because Vrabes has brought in a lot of new players that are his guys. Seems like he is turning the Pats into his team and slowly getting rid of BB players. His comments were basically directed at 2nd and 3rd string players and were a nice way of saying that he does not believe that they are any good.

 

[Wozzy]

VRABEL: "And we have to be able to find some guys behind them to be backups, to be the first guy in. To be the third outside linebacker. Be the third inside linebacker. Be the sixth offensive lineman. These things that are so critical."

Vrabel is specifically singling linebacker, the position you argued incessantly was fine.

Like I said above… challenging his players to step up and take those roles.

He certainly didn’t do his ILB’s any favors by playing Iton a total jag at NT. It’s not surprising both Muma and Jacobs got injured in that game. The Eagles interior linemen went by the DT’s like they weren’t there.

If Vrabel thinks his undersized ILB’s need to “toughen up” he has unrealistic expectations or needs to employ bigger ILB’s… like Ted Johnson or Hightower sized ILB’s. The starting DL were terrible.

The roster is littered with JAGS at the bottom. There's plenty of roster spots available for a player of real value.

Half the current team was going to be cut anyway and the starters didn’t play. There’s not as much roster space as you suggest.

Why give away a strength pennies on the dollar, that might give the team another avenue to fill a spot later, over simply claiming others rejects or trading away picks?

Boutte’s slightly above average, the fact he needs a new contract pushes his trade value way down. Other teams are deep at positions the Patriots are weak at, there will also be vets cut for salary reasons alone… they aren’t “rejects.”

 

[Uptown]

Of all the players that went to other teams this offseason, the only player I cared about was Tonga. He’s indeed a JAG, but a very pivotal one. Although, I’m glad he got his last payday, I didn’t particularly like him at that number.

 

[PatsFan2]

I think “we’re not a deep team” was Vrabel talking through the media to his team, specifically challenging those young backups. They need to grow up and take those jobs. There were also some injuries.

That being said, I do think there are some inherent flaws with how they constructed this team. They should have either paid Tonga or found a replacement. And I don’t mean another hard working blue collar barely 300 pound guy like Durden… I mean another 340 pound athletic guy. One good nose tackle allows Barmore and Williams to thrive. Iton shouldn’t even be on an NFL roster at this point, he certainly shouldn’t be starting at NT in game two of preseason.

They also did nothing to improve the backup guard situations. They brought in Caedan Wallace, Mehki Butler and Andrew Rupcich… these guys are unathletic jags… weak stiffs. The signing of Van Roten was a result of this oversight.

This team could make some really smart roster moves after cutdown day and bolster their ranks, but they’ll have to create some roster spots to do so. They can’t unnecessarily carry 7 WR’s.

Our WR situation is quite interesting it's very deep now; but Three guys are basically on one year deals. Who do we move?? We would have KW and Chism under contract for two more years not counting this year. So that leaves Barefoot - Pop and Boutte of the three I love Boutte the receiver more: Barefoot is who he is and Pop may have finally turned the corner no pun. That said as Fans we have the tendency to overrate our own players; if we cut a Guy another Team will have to put them on their 53. I don't think Lan Larison is to die for Teams can always find a RB; which leads us to Chism I feel deep down we can sneak him on our Taxi squad. That's a chance we might have to take: Seven WR is overkill: this is coming from one who would field 53.

 

[PatsFan2]

Of all the players that went to other teams this offseason, the only player I cared about was Tonga. He’s indeed a JAG, but a very pivotal one. Although, I’m glad he got his last payday, I didn’t particularly like him at that number.

Can't get something for nothing these days.

 

[Wozzy]

Our WR situation is quite interesting it's very deep now; but Three guys are basically on one year deals. Who do we move?? We would have KW and Chism under contract for two more years not counting this year. So that leaves Barefoot - Pop and Boutte of the three I love Boutte the receiver more: Barefoot is who he is and Pop may have finally turned the corner no pun. That said as Fans we have the tendency to overrate our own players; if we cut a Guy another Team will have to put them on their 53. I don't think Lan Larison is to die for Teams can always find a RB; which leads us to Chism I feel deep down we can sneak him on our Taxi squad. That's a chance we might have to take: Seven WR is overkill: this is coming from one who would field 53.

I said before the season began Boutte, Douglas and Hollins had no contract beyond this year and had potential to be traded or cut. The acquisitions of Brown and Doubs codified who was likely to be moved and it was Boutte… it wasn’t personal.

They have Douglas and Chism for the slot, they should keep those two… but Douglas could still be traded if the compensation is good. They have Williams for depth on the boundry, they could also slide DeGennerro and Dorner onto the PS so they’d have some depth.

I don’t think they’ll enter the season with two RB’s only but they could risk it since they have some depth there with Larison and Jam. Even if one is poached they still have the other. But I suspect they’ll enter the season with three.

 

[Family]

He certainly didn’t do his ILB’s any favors by playing Iton a total jag at NT. It’s not surprising both Muma and Jacobs got injured in that game. The Eagles interior linemen went by the DT’s like they weren’t there.

Half the current team was going to be cut anyway and the starters didn’t play. There’s not as much roster space as you suggest.

Vrabel is specifically talking about the third linebackers. I don't think he even mentioned the line.

Other than Iton, Muma looked like the worst player on the field.