TRANSCRIPT: Mike Vrabel Postgame Press Conference 1/4
Follow us
Follow Us
🕑 Read Time: 5 minutes
Posted Under: Patriots Transcripts
HOME > Patriots Blog > Patriots Transcripts
Here’s what New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel had to say on Sunday following their win over the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium:
On if he’s pleased with the way that his team was taking care of business before heading into the postseason:
“Yeah, and I think that a little lull there in the second quarter, but I really appreciate the way that the defense responded after the block to force them to make a long kick. Then the way the offense was able to go back and get Andy into field goal range, and a fantastic kick by him. I tried to ask them to replicate those last two series and that intensity and that execution as we went into the second half, and I think that’s what we saw.”
On his initial reaction to learning that they will host the Chargers next weekend:
“We’ll get ready and get rolling and try to do what we do every week, which is prepare and figure out who we have available and what we feel like the keys are going to be and try to practice and be ready to go. That’s all we’ve done all year, and it’s all we’ll be able to do this week in the playoffs.”
On his thoughts on Rhamondre Stevenson today with 131 yards rushing, 22 receiving, 3 touchdowns, and what he’s seen from him over the last three games:
“Just building his confidence. I appreciate all of our backs’ ability to protect. Rhamondre does that, and I think that goes sometimes unnoticed. I know that that’s not as sexy or exciting as the run game production and the pass receiving. But he cares deeply about this team. I was excited to be able to have him be a game captain for us. And he’s just continued to get better. He’s continued to make people miss and to run hard and still protect the football.”
On what he saw from Will Campbell and Milton Williams throughout the week and today in their return:
“All right. I thought that they were okay. I thought Milton factored a few times. Again, a lot of great efforts out there. I’m not going to say Will or Milton. … They did okay.”
On the fact they ended this first season with 14 wins and what it means to him to have a start like this here:
“It means we are the second seed and we’re going to host the Chargers and start over. The only wins that are going to matter is going to be the ones that we can get moving forward.”
On when he stood in this room months ago and said, ‘We want to win the division, host playoff games, and compete for championships,’ and they’re here and how that happens in a matter of months:
“We got the right guys in the building at the right time, and we got good quarterback play. We figured out how to not beat ourselves. I think we play to our own identity, and guys make plays. That’s what happens. I’m excited for all those guys that, again, when you chase wins, usually the production comes along with it. And so we need to focus on winning and the efforts that are going to help us win. And in turn, you end up with all the plays that you’re going to need and I think you saw that.”
On Ramondre Stevenson and if there is anything he can pinpoint to the turnaround he had towards the second half of the season, from the fumbling issues maybe early on to just now dominating on the field:
“Just hard work and perseverance. I think Tony [Dews] and all the offensive coaches do a great job in emphasizing ball security. I think just him being just… We kind of felt like we got into a little with him and TreVeyon and Rhamondre and kind of figured out where that balance was. I think that they did a great job. We need them both. We need D’Ernest [Johnson], but figuring out the balance with Rhamondre and TreVeyon and those guys, both taking advantage of the opportunities that they have. I feel like that’s a good flow by Josh [McDaniels] and Tony [Dews] calling the game and getting the guys in there. To the players credit, they take advantage of the times that they get the touches that they get.”
On how important it is this time of the year to establish that running game and that physical presence:
“You better be able to do that in the tournament. You better be able to take care of the football. You better be able to create some turnovers, and you have to have efficient quarterback play. That’s no secret. You’re going to have to execute situations like we did at the end of the half, whether that be at the end of the half or the end of the game to get some points. But that’s what it comes down to.
On the fact Jack Gibbens forced to fumble, almost had an interception, and what he’s meant to them this season, specifically since he’s had to step into a bigger role without Robert Spillane:
“Well, he’s always prepared. We talk about playing multiple positions with limited reps, so he’s always prepared, usually in the right place at the right time. Takes coaching, and he’s a very instinctive player, and gets everybody lined up. He’s a great communicator. He’s a great teammate, and excited and happy that we have him.”
On the fact he called a timeout on the fourth and the 1 play in the first half, and if that was mainly due to the play clock running out or trying to give himself the time to check the spot on [Hunter] Henry’s catch:
“Probably a little bit of both, making sure that we had the right personnel. We didn’t execute the play. A little bit of that is being to check the spot, see if it was a little closer, but didn’t execute very well on that particular play.”
On the fact that when they signed Stefon Diggs in the offseason, he probably had an idea of what he wanted to see from him, and after he went over a thousand yards in the air for a seventh time in his career, what has he seen from him in terms of the offseason, in terms of his leadership on and off the field and the performance today:
“Very consistent. I mean, he sits where Mike [Reiss] sits every day. He’s up front. He’s attentive. There’s an energy to him. He’s been out there. He’s been available. He’s taking care of his body. And then the production, I think that has been fantastic. So I’m glad that we have them.”
On the turnover differential, and how key has that been in the overall aspect of what this team has done:
“It’s gotten better, right? We battled back, and it wasn’t very good. When you have five in one game, you got plenty to make up. But I felt like there was a conscious effort, and the attempts on defense improved. The ball security, the two in traffic, not relaxing at the sideline, quarterback making great decisions. I think that there was a conscious effort to do that. In this league, when the games are as close as they are, that makes a big difference. We need to still try to affect the football and turn it over defensively. I’m just frustrated with the block field goal. We went all 17 weeks, and all we did was become the 38th or 39th blocked field goal of the NFL this year.”
(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.)
From our archive - this week all-time:
April 2 - April 17 (Through 26yrs)
Join 2,000+ fans getting exclusive stats, analysis, and insights delivered straight to their inbox every week. Never miss a play.