Mike Vrabel

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 1"

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.

Continue reading "Don't Be a Stranger, Mike Vrabel"

Outside linebacker. A pass rusher. Someone that can consistently collapse the pocket with speed and/or power. It’s a position fans want the Patriots to draft early. We believe a double-digit sack-meister would take the defense to the next level, make it a championship-caliber unit.

Continue reading "In a Rush for a OLB"

The Patriots are rebuilding. It’s typically an ugly word in sports, as usually a great team becomes terrible for a few years before returning to greatness. If handled poorly, the dark days can extend for years. So far Belichick has kept New England relevant without significantly falling back. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 1"

Continue reading "Stayings or Goings Part 1"

Continue reading "Thomas vs. Belichick"

I had been hoping, praying, begging, pleading, making blood sacrifices, and negotiating with the Devil (my soul for eternity was asking too much) that sometime, somehow, a DE/OLB would join the Patriots and bring teeth to a pass rush that had just 31 sacks last season. 

Continue reading "A Burgess Believer"

In between that action, Tully Banta-Cain came back from two disappointing years with San Francisco. 

Continue reading "Ninkovich in the Cards"

Continue reading "Last Call for Bruschi in 2010?"

Just today I read in The Boston Herald that New England was discussing a trade with the Oakland Raiders for DE Derrick Burgess. Apparently these talks have been going on since around draft time. Oakland’s asking price is a second or third round pick for the veteran entering his eighth year. 

Continue reading "Derrick Burgess Not a Big Deal"

Another example is “50,” worn last year by OLB Mike Vrabel. No one has that on and it will probably stay that way. 

It just goes to show that players are quickly forgotten in the NFL. With 12 rookies drafted and several rookie free agent added, there are not enough numbers to pay respect to former players, whether productive or just departed. A few more new names to associate to old numbers: 

Continue reading "Numbers Game"

Continue reading "Thoughts on Jason Taylor and the ..."

"We really need let L.T. go, he's on his last legs," as opposed to "the Chargers have to get rid of L.T. because he sucks now and I am sick of watching him suck."

Continue reading "It's Okay Patriots Fans, You Can Say "We""

Based on the viewpoint of these experts, Matthews would be a perfect fit in New England. 

Continue reading "In the Minority about Matthews Jr"

In honor of the first day of April I am making my first post in over a month and a half. While my break from Pats-related writing was mostly due to the overwhelming nature of my real job, I continued to keep a close eye on all things Pats.

Continue reading "Back in the Patriots-Blogging Saddle"

I reached the conclusion that the primary reason why the Patriots traded QB Matt Cassel and LB Mike Vrabel for Kansas City's second round pick was to free up more money under the salary cap. The latest rumor I heard is after Denver was contacted by one team about a three-way trade, they called the Patriots offering the 13th pick overall for Cassel.

Continue reading "Early Returns on the Trade"

Not the KC-NE trade fans were hoping for, but it is a significant move. With Vrabel gone, New England is without a starting outside linebacker.

Continue reading "The Unexpected, As Usual"

Currently on the Patriots roster there are seven outside linebackers: Mike Vrabel, Adalius Thomas, Pierre Woods, Shawn Crable, Vince Redd, Darrell Robertson, and A

Continue reading "A Difficult Search for Patriots-type Players"

Continue reading "Swirling Trade Winds in Foxborough"

Continue reading "One More, Bruschi, Harrison?"

Continue reading "Learning From Experience"

Continue reading "A Patriots-Colvin Reunion"

But Belichick's resourceful. He still hasn't broke out LB Mike Vrabel as a tight end much. Guess who will be a full-time two-way player soon?

Continue reading "Getting the Most Out of Cassel"

Finally Pro Football Weekly posted this today, and this is the first time I've heard Mike Vrabel called out. Yes, he has been noticeably not on the field lately and Pierre Woods

Continue reading "Friday's Final Thoughts Before Patriots ..."

Continue reading "Texting the truth"

Continue reading "Short on Sacks"

Continue reading "Eye to the future"

As a situational pass rusher to spell either OLBs Adalius Thomas or Mike Vrabel, Colvin could work. I wouldn't want to take my chances with Rosey and put him in coverage. SI said Colvin still has pain from the hip injury that nearly ended his career. Add to that the foot injury that cost him the last six games of 2007 and the playoffs and Colvin is a risky signing.

Continue reading "Reruns?"

Maybe the Patriots wouldn't have Mike Vrabel or Rodney Harrison if free agency didn't exist. We know LB Rosevelt Colvin wouldn't had been able to leave Chicago in 2003. Upshaw's work benefited all the players without undermining the league.

Continue reading "Union Needs a new Upshaw"

Continue reading "First look at Brady"

Those losses are a little overrated. I was a fan of a healthy Colvin, but he missed 26 games with the Pats. When LB Adalius Thomas shifted from a member of the ILB rotation to OLB from week 13 through the playoffs (eight games), Thomas had 5.5 sacks. Colvin had four sacks in twelve games. If that production continues for Thomas, combined with good health, Thomas projects (eleven sacks) to have a better season than Colvin's career best (10.5).

Continue reading "Room for improvement"

One person who got some props in place of OLB Mike Vrabel was OLB Pierre Woods. Belichick credited Woods with improved performance. If that's the case, I'd say it's about time. In comparison, former Pat and current San Francisco 49er Tully Banta-Cain was ahead of Pierce in regards to his development. By his second year, TBC was embarrassing reserve tackles during the preseason. And when Banta-Cain was pressed into duty because of injury, he had a respectable season, producing 5.5 sacks.

Continue reading "Sigh of relief"

Defense

LE Ty Warren
NT Vince Wilfork
RE Richard Seymour
OLB Mike Vrabel
ILB Tedy Bruschi
ILB Victor Hobson
OLB Adalius Thomas
CB Ellis Hobbs

Continue reading "Looking too far ahead"

Later on, safety Rodney Harrison was added to the list.

Continue reading "A dozen PUP-ies"

Continue reading "Drop and give me $20 million"

Continue reading "Taylor Made"

What I found interesting is that Gholston has spent time working with Mike Vrabel. Mike is a former Buckeye as well and he returns to the school to train. It wouldn't surprise me if Vrabel took Gholston under his wing and gave him pointers since they played the same position at Ohio State. Scouts can make all the evaluations they want, but I'm sure the scouting staff asked Vrabel for his opinion on Gholston. Besides witnessing Vernon's potential, Vrabel witnessed Gholston's work ethic and ability to learn on a first hand basis. If Mike gives Vernon a thumbs up, then the Patriots will take note of Vrabel's opinion.

Continue reading "A linebacker workout"