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The Official Vrabel vs Ben Johnson Discussion Thread

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I play a Godin 5th Avenue, Ibanez jazz boxes and a PRS Hollowbody mostly these days, and I have an old MIJ strat with an ash body and a maple board that I love. That combo, along with pretty underwound pickups, gives it beautiful sparkle and the "quack settings" have a kind of sizzle. Unfortunately the frets on the old MIJ frets are very thin and soft and have worn down badly, and the neck is very narrow with a 7 1/4" radius, which is a little limiting. It'll go off the the luthier for a fret job which - I know my guy - will take him forever, bless his heart. So I am thinking of getting a PRS Silver Sky with the maple board, but they are pretty weird-looking guitars, especially with a maple board (I know: shouldn;t matter) so I am looking a spending maybe $1500-$2000 on an a legit Strat, but there are like 50 different flavors (no "American Standard"?) and I can't figure out which to get which would replicate my MIJ. Maybe a Professional II?

First-world problems, eh?

With all this guitar talk, maybe we should start a thread in the Pub Forum.

Once I turned 40 I got a serious guitar boner. Before that I played 5 string banjo. I'm I big Dead Head, so I went after the Jerry Garcia sound.

My first real electric was an american strat that I got for cheap on craigslist. Did some cool modifications including a brass tone block. Very chimey.

Bought a custom made Garcia "wolf" style guitar - walnut body, walnut and maple through neck, ebony fret board. It's a keeper.

A few years back, I decided I should treat myself to a decent acoustic and got a Taylor 214CE - spruce top, rosewood neck, ebony fret board. I've been playing mostly acoustic ever since. Couldn't put the thing down.

Most recent purchase is a MIK epiphone Sheraton Semi Hollow from Reverb. Its got a maple neck. I love the hollow body resonance of it and the shorter scale is nice after playing mostly acoustic.
 
We don't have those skills players on the team right now.

They don't exist.

J. Polk could not separate in college. It was not a matter of misuse. He is not fast. Has separation issues. Is easy to lock down. Looks good in college when he's the 3rd WR going against the oppositions nickel back. Not an NFL WR.
That’s why I said “while we improve in FA and the draft”. I think Johnson could help elevate players like Pop Douglas and Boutte.
 
There is a really interesting dynamic at play here. It sounds as though the Krafts are tied to Eliot Wolf and he's front and center in the interview process.

I have to believe that Wolf favors BJ, as I believe they have a connection, where he stands a far more likely chance of keeping his power and influence. I can picture Wolf really trying to influence this decision.



With Vrabel its an arranged marriage at best, with Vrabel ultimately likely to win the power struggle.

From what I heard regarding the Krafts tied to Wolf, I think there is a much stronger chance for BJ than I originally thought.
 
So no Johnson, that sucks.
we don’t know that.
It said Patriots will make a decision this weekend.
I’m guessing they are discussing and praying on it and then will make an offer who they want to offer a formal contact for.
I’m sure that The Pats are close with Vrabel on money, but maybe after meeting Johnson it’s causing them to pause and go is this the better choice?
If both candidates are willing to wait the weekend to hear back no harm.
It’s crazy the Patriots wouldn’t want a second meeting with Johnson so either he blew them away and they seen enough or he didn’t do enough to separate himself from Vrabel.

So my guess it’s Vrabel.
But we will see.
 
We don't have those skills players on the team right now.

They don't exist.

J. Polk could not separate in college. It was not a matter of misuse. He is not fast. Has separation issues. Is easy to lock down. Looks good in college when he's the 3rd WR going against the oppositions nickel back. Not an NFL WR.
I get it but it's not like we're locked into the current roster for eternity. Contracts are finite, rosters are fluid, and we have a historically unprecedented amount of resources to shake it up to an extent you won't recognize the team.
 
What does a quick resolution mean? It's either Vrabel now, or one of the playoff coordinators later.
It’s the making a decision who to offer the Job to yes with Vrabel you can move faster but with Johnson he can agree to be the HC after the season ends thru back channels and they can already discuss staff
If Vrabs isn’t named by Tuesday morning it’s Johnson.
 
There is a really interesting dynamic at play here. It sounds as though the Krafts are tied to Eliot Wolf and he's front and center in the interview process.
Wolf implemented his scouting grading scheme this year which is the 1st time. The scouts didn’t use it last year because of time constraints. I think the Krafts want to give the grading a system a shot and see how it goes. The system doesn’t mean Wolf will be picking the groceries…it just means his system will be in use for the 1st time. I don’t think the Krafts want to have a different grading system 3 years in a row. So I think Wolf is important leading up to the draft due to his grading system but it doesn’t mean he will be evaluating and picking talent. Just my 2 cents.
 
To me Wolf seems like a mild mannered logical guy who could get along with any HC.
Now that doesn’t mean I’m against bringing someone in with equal or even greater say than him to collab.
I don’t think he’s the kind of alpha mentality where you would say we can’t work together I need my own guys.
 
I like Johnson as well. However the organization needs a coach like Vrabel at this juncture. If Josh can come on as OC that is excellent for Drake.
Why no Gruden? Guy’s experienced as heck. Proven winner.
 
Could be Vrabel or Johnson.
I doubt if it is BJ while not even doing a in person interview
They know Vrabel and are probably in contact with him frequently
They cannot be in contact with BJ
Would be tampering
 
Why no Gruden? Guy’s experienced as heck. Proven winner.

Frank caliendo is hilarious doing gruden! I like gruden.. how going through last season it's just reaffirmed that we need a HC with structure, guidance and accountability. Vrabel just feels like the right fit .
 


We shall see but it feels like a rush to Vrabel. Neither has won a playoff game and Johnson offers better potential for Maye’s development. I’d like to see them meet with him in person.
 
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Mark Morse
2 weeks ago
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