The respect players have for Vrabel

[ViperGTS]

Vrabel becoming the HC means the "Patriot Way" is actually real now. The Patriot Way was never a creation of the old coaching staff it was created by the old players in the locker room.

Thats not true completely. The Patriot Way only works if you have the coach and staff to go along with the players. It never left, the prior coaching staffs BB (who lost his fastball) and Mayo who had nothing couldn't manifest it.

Vrabel did.

 

[n1997y]

Vrabel becoming the HC means the "Patriot Way" is actually real now. The Patriot Way was never a creation of the old coaching staff it was created by the old players in the locker room.

It was real during the past dynasties, and it’s real again now. It’s simple, and very difficult. It’s both players and coaches. It would not have existed if both the old players and the old coaches had not collectively created it. Now Vrabel is making it easy because he has lived it as a player and now he’s living it as coach.

It starts with the coach’s vision of what the team will be and how each player fits into that, and knowing how to bring out the very best from each player. The players buy into that, give it their total unwavering commitment, and together the players and coaches grind it out all season to make that reality.

We’ve been privileged to witness it, again. And it’s not done yet.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

With that being said, we’re gonna have a ****less coach in 2 weeks..

I think that quote is misunderstood. I'm fairly sure he said he'd do it in order to win, not if he won.

 

[PP2]

It was real during the past dynasties, and it’s real again now. It’s simple, and very difficult. It’s both players and coaches. It would not have existed if both the old players and the old coaches had not collectively created it. Now Vrabel is making it easy because he has lived it as a player and now he’s living it as coach.

It starts with the coach’s vision of what the team will be and how each player fits into that, and knowing how to bring out the very best from each player. The players buy into that, give it their total unwavering commitment, and together the players and coaches grind it out all season to make that reality.

We’ve been privileged to witness it, again. And it’s not done yet.

There's no question that what exists in that locker room now: accountability, attention to detail, doing your job, was all started by BB. I see a lot of BB in Vrabel, in how he coaches.

 

[Lansdowne]

I’ll never forget the moment in the first round of the NFL Draft in 2022 when the Titans traded AJ Brown to the Eagles. The look of obvious disappointment by Vrabel as he paced around the room. He loved Brown and said he wanted him on the Titans as long as he’s coaching them. He lost the power struggle as the team didn’t want to pay Brown the money he was looking for, and had to put on a brave face afterward telling the media he was comfortable with the trade. He clearly was not, and Brown hugging Vrabel after the Eagles beat the Titans showed that there was no animosity between the two people. I’m sure both were pissed that he was traded.

I watched various clips of current and former Titans players who played for Vrabel and they loved that man. Always went on about how good he was at making players accountable but also how approachable he was. He’s a player’s coach without overly coddling or spoiling them. He’s more than just a cheerleader because he’s actually a very smart in-game technician, and we’ve seen that first hand here in Foxboro. I wanted the Pats to hire him the moment they let go of BB, and we are so lucky that he was still available a year later when Mayo was fired as well. Timing is everything.

 

[patchick]

Love Vrabel’s response…

It's wild how many different kinds of skills it takes to be a great NFL head coach. The guy who "changed Cory Durden's life" is also the guy who was racing down the sideline instructing Maye to slide and signaling time out to the ref with one second left. And so, so much more.

How does a phenomenon like Cory Durden happen? Is it technique? Motivation? Role? Fit? This guy had plenty of opportunities to impress in the past. As of September he was on the practice squad of his 4th team in 3 years, hanging onto the dream of an NFL career by his fingernails. Now he's a key part of a Superbowl defensive rotation. In fact, this defense is full of guys wildly outplaying their resumes:
- Tonga, on his 5th team in 5 years
- Chaisson, 1st-round bust who managed a total of 5 sacks across 4 seasons with Jacksonville
- Ponder, who according to pre-draft reports wasn't exactly dominating the competition at Cal Poly Obispo last year

How?

 

[Patsfan1645]

It's wild how many different kinds of skills it takes to be a great NFL head coach. The guy who "changed Cory Durden's life" is also the guy who was racing down the sideline instructing Maye to slide and signaling time out to the ref with one second left. And so, so much more.

How does a phenomenon like Cory Durden happen? Is it technique? Motivation? Role? Fit? This guy had plenty of opportunities to impress in the past. As of September he was on the practice squad of his 4th team in 3 years, hanging onto the dream of an NFL career by his fingernails. Now he's a key part of a Superbowl defensive rotation. In fact, this defense is full of guys wildly outplaying their resumes:
- Tonga, on his 5th team in 5 years
- Chaisson, 1st-round bust who managed a total of 5 sacks across 4 seasons with Jacksonville
- Ponder, who according to pre-draft reports wasn't exactly dominating the competition at Cal Poly Obispo last year

How?

I think it starts with belief. When Vrabel showed belief in players I am certain it helped them to take a much needed step. Providing and accepting the coaching to improve players and recognizing deficiencies to focus on. The players also saw that if you put in the effort you will be rewarded with playing time. How many interviews have we heard Vrabel talking about players earning the game reps. They know that they will get out what they put in......an opportunity to play. And finally accountability to themselves and to the team, Rhams redemption. Vrabel has this team firing on all cylinders and believing they are and will be a problem for any team to face.

 

[DaBruinz]

Two things really stood out for me yesterday...

1) Diggs in his post game talking about how he's thankful for a coach who hold everyone to the same standard. This is a guy who's been a diva in the past so for him to embrace that mindset is huge.

2) Maye's slide at the end of the first half to set up a FG attempt. That shows that a young player is being taught situational football well.

It honestly feels like the best of both worlds where he's both the master tactician and also the "player's coach" type too.

The Slide by Maye was reminiscent of a play earlier in the year. I forget if it was Stevenson or Henderson who looked over to the sideline to see if Vrabel wanted him to score or not because of the time left..

 

[upstater1]

Thats not true completely. The Patriot Way only works if you have the coach and staff to go along with the players. It never left, the prior coaching staffs BB (who lost his fastball) and Mayo who had nothing couldn't manifest it.

Vrabel did.

I'd argue that BB AND Mayo didn't have the players. Which isn't to say that Mayo could manifest it. I don't think he could. But the defense played very very hard for Belichick even in the 4 win year.

The offense was a wreck in the Patricia and O'Brien years. So you could say only half the team had it, even though you still had David Andrews on offense.

 

[n1997y]

The Slide by Maye was reminiscent of a play earlier in the year. I forget if it was Stevenson or Henderson who looked over to the sideline to see if Vrabel wanted him to score or not because of the time left..

Hendo. Forget which game but remember the play. Designed to go right, hit a wall so bounced it left and got outside to take it to the house. As he was in the red zone he curled back right looking to the bench to see if he should go down or score. Amazing job.

 

[n1997y]

How does a phenomenon like Cory Durden happen? Is it technique? Motivation? Role? Fit? This guy had plenty of opportunities to impress in the past. As of September he was on the practice squad of his 4th team in 3 years, hanging onto the dream of an NFL career by his fingernails. Now he's a key part of a Superbowl defensive rotation. In fact, this defense is full of guys wildly outplaying their resumes:
- Tonga, on his 5th team in 5 years
- Chaisson, 1st-round bust who managed a total of 5 sacks across 4 seasons with Jacksonville
- Ponder, who according to pre-draft reports wasn't exactly dominating the competition at Cal Poly Obispo last year

How?

This is such a key question. I don’t think the importance of it can be overstated.

It’s also why I absolutely hate any player evaluation that includes the word “ceiling”. What was Durden’s ceiling in September? Now? What’s a “ceiling”?

I’m wondering if a big part of the answer to your question is about whether players are seen as having ceilings? It’s well established that people perform to expectations. If expectations are that a player is a JAG on the fringes of barely being able to make it in the NFL they and their coaches treat things differently. If expectations focus not on limitations but on preparation and effort and accountability and opportunity things work differently.

Durden is an interesting example. He came into the league as UDFA in 2023. Patriots.com lists him as a first year player but this is actually his third season in the league, mostly PS but played in 8 games before joining the Pats. He obviously loves football and has worked hard to stay in the league. Now he’s landed in a place where he’s had some opportunities that he’s seized well enough to be having a breakout season.

Also have to wonder how much influence playing with Milton has been for guys like him and Tonga and Ponder? And of course playing for Vrabes. Couple of great role models there.

 

[WhatJustHappened]

Pretty clear how lower guys feel about the coach and team, Ponder, Durden and others are FAR Exceeding their outlook.
Vrabel is cultivating a TOUGH TEAM.
They are going to rotate the front, and CRUSH Darnold.