“Hello? Miiiiike…What’s goin’ on? I know, I know! Long time no speak, man. How you doin’?
“Yeah, I heard. Retired. I didn’t see that coming. But good for you.
“You got any free time Mike? Why don’t you come around the way? You know you’re always welcomed here.”
Mike Vrabel is like a long time friend. New England was his home for eight of his 14 years in the NFL. Though his job took him elsewhere, it is his time as a Patriot that Vrabel will be remembered for. Mike’s place in Patriots history is here to stay.
A player’s value is usually measured by his statistics. Ask Vrabel which stat was most important to him, and he’ll say three. Not the 57 sacks, not the 19 forced fumbles, not the touchdown receptions, interceptions, or any game stat. Being a part of three Super Bowl-winning teams is what’s important to Vrabel, and he did everything he could to help the Patriots’ cause.
Vrabel was buried in Pittsburgh’s depth chart before Patriots head coach Bill Belichick recovered Mike. Over the next eight years, Belichick found more ways to use Vrabel than anyone could imagine. Pass rusher was obvious. Run defender was a priority and Vrabel was stout. Pass coverage? Mike did that too. Shift from outside linebacker to inside? Check. Goal line tight end? Vrabel did that too.
Whatever Belichick asked Vrabel to do, Mike did it, simply because it helped the team.
Vrabel is one in a long line of team-first players that bought into the Patriot Way. He will be remembered along with Tedy Bruschi, Troy Brown, and Willie McGinest. Though Vrabel isn’t a career Patriot like the three mentioned, but his do whatever it takes contribution with the Patriots is what Mike will be remembered for.
Vrabel walks away from the NFL and straight to Ohio State, his alma mater. He will coach linebackers for the Buckeyes. Hard to think of a better person for the job. Vrabel was a tough, cerebral leader as a player. He will demand his players to become just like him.
No one doubts whether Vrabel will be successful as a coach. The Buckeyes will continue producing productive NFL linebackers under Mike’s direction. Heck, maybe one day Vrabel will move up from college to coaching in the pros.
Maybe Vrabel comes back to the Patriots as a coach one day. It would only make sense. Vrabel knows he’s always welcomed back home.
Questions? Comments? Send to talktome@randolphc.com.
