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

[PatsFan2]

Anyone else lukewarm to the Marrone hire? I associate him with losing other than that fluke run to the 2017 title game with Jax.

No! have you seen our Dawg $h!t OL??

 

[Water Boy]

The word I have heard is that Vrabel wants to run a defense closer to what he and Williams had in Tennessee. It will involve more secondary blitzes I imagine. This does make me sad, but I get it.

If our secondary play drops off, this one is on Vrabes.

 

[captain stone]

We have Barmore.. just his health is a question mark. Vrabel needs to go after 2-3 guys in the draft on defense and trade for Simmons please!!!!!!!

Or just sign some guys as UFAs and save the high draft picks for Left Tackle.

 

[dliverey44]

Why? What makes you sad about that.

That Pellegrino is gone, he has been my favorite Pats coach for awhile.

 

[hornetfb85]

Anyone else lukewarm to the Marrone hire? I associate him with losing other than that fluke run to the 2017 title game with Jax.

Just my meaningless opinion here, but others who are paid to know these things seem to think he’s a pretty good OL coach. So I’m gonna say no, I’m pretty happy with it. He’s not the head coach. In my opinion, shouldn’t really associate his head coaching record with what he can do as a position coach. Two completely different animals. Steve Spagnuolo was an awful head coach, but maybe one of the greatest DCs in history.

 

[Real fan 02]

Or just sign some guys as UFAs and save the high draft picks for Left Tackle.

You likely have to do both.. it feels worse than what it really is becuase the defense was ****ty last season.. so add at least 2 pass rushers.. draft Carter, sign chase young, I think you can get a LT in the later rounds.. Dan Moore in Pittsburgh is also a FA LT... he's an upgrade over vederian Lowes home improvement..

 

[mgteich]

With Pellegrino and Belichick gone, the next DB coaches hav e some really big (if young) shoes to fill.

The strength of the Patriots has been the D-backfield for a long while now.

JC Jackson and a long line of other unknowns made their bread & butter under those 2 coaches (though of course BB was there as well, as DB/LB were BB's specialties).

I look at Alex Austin and think about how great he looked in 2023. He has real abilities to be another JC. BUT... why doesn't this happen more regularly across the NFL?

I'll be paying close attention to the DBs next year.

The secondary is certainly a potential weakness.
1) We are losing our safeties coach.
2) We are losing our cornerback coach.
3) J Jones, our nickel back, is not signed. The #2 NB is 5'8" and is very much needed as a returner.
4) Austin is not signed.
5) We need a free safety. Our incumbent (Hawkins) is not signed and was not very good.

SIGNED PLAYERS
CB: Gonzalez, M Jones, Bolden, Dial
S: Peppers, Dugger, Pettus, Mapu, Schooler

I would expect up to FOUR signings; two could be J Jones and Austin. Ideally, we would re-sign both plus a top corner and a free safety.

 

[mgteich]

Anyone else lukewarm to the Marrone hire? I associate him with losing other than that fluke run to the 2017 title game with Jax.

I was lukewarm. However, Marrone is definitely an experienced and qualified OL coach. Besides, we also are bringing an experience and qualified Assistant OL Coach.

I thought that we MIGHT do better, but once we signed the Assistant OL Coach, I was more than satisfied that the OL will be in good hands.

 

[Real fan 02]

The secondary is certainly a potential weakness.
1) We are losing our safeties coach.
2) We are losing our cornerback coach.
3) J Jones, our nickel back, is not signed. The #2 NB is 5'8" and is very much needed as a returner.
4) Austin is not signed.
5) We need a free safety. Our incumbent (Hawkins) is not signed and was not very good.

SIGNED PLAYERS
CB: Gonzalez, M Jones, Bolden, Dial
S: Peppers, Dugger, Pettus, Mapu, Schooler

I would expect up to FOUR signings; two could be J Jones and Austin. Ideally, we would re-sign both plus a top corner and a free safety.

IMO mapu seems to have the FS role.. providing he can stay healthy and continue to Ascend.. so your talking marpu, peppers, Dugger.. Pettus is ultimately the guy who will succeed peppers in a year or 2. As much as I liked pelligrino and Brian.. the secondary struggled opposite Gonzo all season. No knock on them.. but I entrust Vrabel to have some competent coaches come in.

 

[Real fan 02]

That Pellegrino is gone, he has been my favorite Pats coach for awhile.

He likely wanted a change and probably advance

 

[Zuma]

IMO Hawkins seems to have the FS role..

FIFY. I don’t know if Hawkins will be the FS…I’m just sure Mapu won’t be.

 

[Real fan 02]

FIFY. I don’t know if Hawkins will be the FS…I’m just sure Mapu won’t be.

Mapu is intriguing.. he has the size, range and abilities. Needs to stay healthy.

 

[PatsFan2]

Mapu is intriguing.. he has the size, range and abilities. Needs to stay healthy.

Mapu came on at the end he might be the player to justify the pick with Vrabel and TW.

 

[Zuma]

Mapu is intriguing.. he has the size, range and abilities. Needs to stay healthy.

He’s a LB / SS. Let’s see where the coaches put him.

 

[dliverey44]

FIFY. I don’t know if Hawkins will be the FS…I’m just sure Mapu won’t be.

Vrabel likes the athletic undersized LBs, could be a role for MYPOO

 

[mgteich]

Stupid, unless Vrabel/Williams have someone better. Do they?

Perhaps he was simply ready to move on, seeing little future here.

Are you suggesting that he should have been offered a promotion?

 

[dliverey44]

Anyone else lukewarm to the Marrone hire? I associate him with losing other than that fluke run to the 2017 title game with Jax.

Yea not a fan. I have gone and watched some of his clinics on youtube and he seems to primarily teach a 2 handed strike and against a good DL the will swipe them away. I don't mind a 2 hand strike but not every time.

 

[mgteich]

FIFY. I don’t know if Hawkins will be the FS…I’m just sure Mapu won’t be.

I agree. Having a LB as a free safety seems wrong.

Also, Hawkins is NOT our free safety. He isn't signed and it is hard to imagine not being able to acquire someone better.

 

[Huckleberry1]

IMO it really depends how the draft falls, what the do in FA, trade, etc,

Not trying to cop-out of answer but just don't know. They have so many needs.

I agree. If they can fix the OL and DL in free agency, which is possible, it gives them more freedom come Draft weekend.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Right, so easier to go Carter or offense with 4 if there's a chance to find guys who are mostly equivalent of Graham elsewhere.

You might find a decent DT later, but you aren’t going to find one if Graham’s ability.