Deadspin | Mike Vrabel feels ‘power,’ ‘pleasure’ at Patriots’ first OTA

Coming off consecutive 4-13 seasons, the New England Patriots are hoping to show the web page briefly underneath new head trainer Mike Vrabel.

“I think there’s an excitement. There’s an energy,” Vrabel informed newshounds Tuesday because the crew’s offseason program were given underway. ” I think there’s a willingness of players that walk in and want to improve, want to get to know the new players and the ones that they’re familiar with from last year, the coaches and everything else. We’re just constantly trying to build that each and every day.”

Vrabel, who performed for the Patriots from 2001-08 and coached the Tennessee Titans from 2018-23, replaces Jerod Mayo. Mayo simplest coached one season after succeeding six-time Super Bowl winner Bill Belichick.

Right now, Vrabel mentioned the Patriots are seeking to combine second-year quarterback Drake Maye and the remainder of the roster into a brand new device forward of subsequent month’s necessary minicamp.

“I think everybody’s worked extremely hard, including Drake, to pick up what we want to do offensively and defensively,” Vrabel mentioned. “Now that has to start to translate onto the practice field in a spring setting, without pads, and I think that we’re off to a good start. We had a positive day. We were able to mix some speed stuff in and competitive stuff to a point.”

Although those are non-contact classes, Vrabel mentioned there are nonetheless issues he desires to look in each follow.

“That we’re in and out of the huddle, that there are clean substitutions, that there’s communication,” he started. “You hear the defense making checks when somebody on the offense moves or motions. There’s coordination, and that the offense is moving with urgency and that the play clock isn’t sitting at zero for four seconds. All of the operational things.

“And then there may be clearly were given to be a degree of execution after we’re within the pace, after which after we get to the jog-through, are we able to follow at a pace that is lower than 100-percent and nonetheless get one thing out of it.”

Vrabel confirmed that the Patriots will hold joint practices during training camp later this summer with both the Washington Commanders and Minnesota Vikings.

He also gave an update on running back Rhamondre Stevenson, who is dealing with the passing of his father in March.

“We’re extraordinarily excited to have him with us. I’ve been in consistent conversation with him, and clearly our ideas and prayers are with him and his circle of relatives as they heal and so they grieve, and I need to be part of that to lend a hand him, and get to understand him,” Vrabel said of Stevenson, also praising his on-field effort and performance from last season.

“He’s going to be a big a part of what we do, and we will simply need to decide the place he is at when he is again right here,” Vrabel said of Stevenson.

New England opens the regular season at home against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sept. 7.

–Field Level Media