TRANSCRIPT: Mike Vrabel Press Conference 7/30
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Here’s what Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel had to say ahead of Wednesday’s practice:
OPENING STATEMENT:
“Hey, Karen [Guregian], real quick, before we get started, just the cadence of this thing, not having talked to you guys yesterday, want to just send our thoughts and prayers to the league, to the league office. Been in that building. I’ve got a lot of friends in that building. And so I just want to make sure that on behalf of our football team, our players, our staff, everybody here, that they know that we’re thinking about them.”
On the fact that we’re six practices and what he’s seen that’s pleased him the most? And conversely, what he’s seen that’s kind of caused a little consternation:
“Listen, it’s like when Carter, my son, texts me every day back in Nashville, ‘How was practice?’ And I say every day, ‘Some good, some bad.’ And you just have to keep with the process. You have to keep getting guys that you feel like… I feel like some guys are improving. I do. That would be the positive thing. But you have to put all this thing together. A receiver wins, and the quarterback doesn’t have time or, you know, did the defense maybe gives up a few plays, but then kind of comes back and responds. I think those are kind of the things that we’re looking for, is making sure that… And I think to our players’ credit and our coaches’ credit, you’ve seen them fix mistakes. The way that practice is structured, there’s time that if something happens that maybe they need to make an adjustment with something that the defense did that’s probably going to come back and repeat itself in practice, that they’ve been able to do that, and they go over to the side, say, ‘Hey, let’s run it this way.’ Or the defense makes an adjustment in a coverage or, you know, maybe how they’re going to set the front. So those are things that are happening. I appreciate that we’re trying to practice the way that we’re going to try to play and that we need to continue to improve and focus on these fundamentals. And I think that’s what’s going to get us through here on a long, long road of the season.”
On if he has any updates on Christian Gonzalez:
“No updates. I mean, I wouldn’t expect him here this week. And, you know, just like everybody else, I know he’s working extremely hard to get back and focus on what he can do as opposed to what he can’t. But, you know, I wouldn’t expect to see him this week.”
On the fact a few days ago he described a day off for Carlton Davis as maintenance and if that’s still the case with him and if there’s a plan:
“I mean, I think it’s just making sure that he’s ready to go. It’s a long season, veteran player, you know, there’ll be guys that have different plans. Like I said, whether that be Morgan [Moses] or maybe Harold [Landry] today, really just trying to put this thing all together and make sure that everybody that needs to get to work for an evaluation purposes. A lot of different reasons. Sometimes it is health related. But also I feel like, you know, Harold won’t be out there. Morgan may come out for individual or some players may come out for team. Try to give everybody what they need for the season.”
On what he’s seen from Ja’Lynn Polk since he returned from the injury:
“Again, a player that worked extremely hard to get back and to be ready to go. And I feel like just my first year with Jim and his staff and Frank and our return to play and you know, the way that we can, you know, do their rehab and then transfer over to Frank and his staff and he knows how we practice and working on those skills and the drills that the coaches are going to have them do. So he worked extremely hard with those guys, to his credit. And then, you know, I would say that there’s been some positive things that he’s done, you know, since he’s been back. So focus on getting back as quickly as possible. I didn’t see the mental errors which sometimes occur when you are getting the installation, but not able to go and rep it, you know. So we’ll see how today goes with Ja’Lynn and the rest of the guys.”
On Caedan Wallace and what it was about his skillset that led them to move him from tackle to guard:
“Big, strong, powerful kid and just looking to put everybody in an opportunity for them to excel and a place to compete, which he’s done. I would say that it’s been headed in the right direction these last couple days since we put pads on. I think he’s gotten more comfortable. I think he’s, you know, they all have. Everybody’s going to make a mistake, but I think that there’s been a lot of really positive plays and then, you know, continue to move forward.”
On now, as a coach, if he sees this as the right opportunity for the players with such ability to establish themselves on both sides of the ball or if he’d rather wait and let it play out into the season:
“I think we need to focus on the Defensive players playing defense and the offensive players playing offense. And then if that kind of happens organically and we need somebody or somebody stands out. You got any candidates?”
Marcus Jones
“Okay, Marcus. We need Marcus to be an elite punt returner and his ability to help the offense and be able to gain extra first downs. And so if he can do that, which he has, I think we’ll start there. You know, Marcus is … Really, you know, he practices very hard, very instinctive, plays outside, plays inside. Really getting a nice feel for that position. Asking him to blitz and the coverage and just all the different looks. So excited where he’s at and he could certainly be a candidate to play offense just because his skill set and the way that he moves.”
On his conversations with Joe Mazzula:
“Oh, Joe’s fantastic. I mean, I just. I appreciate him, you know, just from the time that I got here, reaching out, you know, we probably are different personalities, and I think that that’s probably the thing I appreciate most about him. He’s always trying to learn and gain knowledge different ways about building a team, about strategy, about scheme, about inspiring players to do their job better. So I always love my conversations with him, and I’m excited that he could come out here with his son today. Son’s a football player, Xaverian, outside linebacker.”
On what the criteria was for the offseason award winners, Pop Douglas, Khyiris Tonga:
“I would say daily improvement, one, and there were a lot of really good candidates, and unfortunately, guys have to miss for whatever reason, and they say, ‘hey, I’m not going to be able to – I’m not going to be here.’ Which is fine. It’s voluntary. But I would say that being here for the program is a stipulation. Daily improvement. How hard, the intensity in which they work, the leadership in which they showed, and again, and the improvement, that’s the most important thing is where they come in in April and then where they leave in June is probably a really good indicator as well.”
On the fact Josh Dobbs spoke yesterday about how Josh McDaniels wants the QB room to stress the defense with their athleticism and the fact we saw a couple of quarterback runs or leave option run …
“Are you reporting on plays from practice?”
No.
“You said you saw the type of play. (smiles)”
On if Drake has to prove to him that he can handle some of that stuff just in terms of being smart about his body and putting himself at risk:
“I mean, we’re not… We don’t need to run over every player on defense or nor should we try. You know, it’s critical that those plays are available to us and we do a good job of picking and choosing the appropriate time. And then when they do have the football in their hands, they have to, one, be able to secure it and be able to protect themselves and use the rules to their advantage. Being able to give themselves up is something that’s critical. And I get that, that a lot of these young players, they feel like they’re fearless and that’s great, but, you know, we just have to make sure that we’re making great decisions.”
On the plays by D.J. James and how he feels camp has been going for him:
“I would say that the group of players that I talked about when Karen asked me what I was, I don’t know, happy with, I’m not sure if I’m ever happy, Karen, but DJ is one of those players that’s improved from the end of the spring until now, and he’s taken advantage of some players that aren’t there. So then he moves up a group or whatever that may be, and therefore he’s taken advantage of his opportunities and, you know, he’ll continue to earn more opportunities. But DJ is an improved player through the short time that we’ve been here.”
On how a guy like Milton Williams, like a Vince Wilfork-type, helps everyone around him because of what they do on a play-by-play basis:
“Well, they’re different players, they’re different skill sets, different size. And so, you know, Milt’s going to be able to do things that maybe other interior players don’t do and use his speed and his quickness and, you know, hopefully continue to disrupt and then allow the linebackers to play off of them and, and play a certain style. It’s important that the linebackers know who’s in front of them and that they get to know how they play certain blocks and then have to know that a player changes and, you know, they may play blocks a little differently. It’s never going to be just one size fits all.”
On the plan for Morgan Moses and if he anticipates him practicing the rest of the week:
“I would anticipate him being out there today. After that, I’ll keep you updated.”
(EDITOR’S NOTE: This transcript was done based on the available footage and is subject to typographical errors. If you spot anything, please let me know in the comments below.)
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