Patriots/NFL Patriots hiring Mike Vrabel, a franchise Hall of Famer, as head coach

[Seidenbergy]

So you can walk over to a player on the ground 3 seconds after the whistle, rip at the ball, stand over and taunt him....no penalty, except to the other team.

 

[Dreghorn2]

Why deal with Johnson's growing pains? His offense is set up for a weak armed QB while Maye has a cannon. He probably isn't available for another month.

Vrabel is proven that he's not an awful coach Johnson easily could be great coordinator terrible coach. No need to take the risk. McDaniels and Saleh are both proven as well.

Don't have a dog in the fight here, but i don't remember a co-ordinator with as much universal acknowledgement as Ben Johnson to being a premier hire as a head coach.

Lots of good young coaches have entered the league and head coaching ranks in the last few years but Johnson has more 'buzz' about him than any i can remember.

Being an integral part of what Detroits' been doing, seeing how the culture was built under Campbell, the drafting and trades process under GM Holmes. rebuilding Jared Goff (btw do people know that Goff's body can't process meat, he has an enzyme deficiency, he can't break down protein), building a physical run first offense that led the league in TDs this year (70!), his multiple high end degrees in CS and math etc..

A very attractive resume. i mentioned in an earlier post that i was surprised he interviewed with the Patriots.

Does any of this mean he is a lock to be a great head coach, nope, but i think because he was an option here in New England he and Vrabel's next few years are going to be very interesting to watch.

 

[DKH]

Genuinely curious/sincerely asking what you're basing this on.

I watch NFL Network shows everyday and listen to 4-5 local and National podcasts and people I respect have said this. His dad Ron Wolf was excellent football mind and lot of people respect him from Greg Cosell to Mike Tannenbaum to Scott Pioli to Daniel Jeremiah……

He’s super respected in the football world. Talk show hosts and fans don’t seem to like him.

 

[Dreghorn2]

Why deal with Johnson's growing pains? His offense is set up for a weak armed QB while Maye has a cannon. He probably isn't available for another month.

Vrabel is proven that he's not an awful coach Johnson easily could be great coordinator terrible coach. No need to take the risk. McDaniels and Saleh are both proven as well.

Not to be a jerk Brad, an i apologize for quoting you twice, but no ones offense is set up for weak armed QBs or strong armed ones etc..

 

[KesselBuiltMyHotrod]

Wolf was an integral part of the franchise falling apart. Cleaning house would've been better than forcing him on Vrabel but I guess Kraft can't fire all his buddies.

 

[PeanutButter37]

So you can walk over to a player on the ground 3 seconds after the whistle, rip at the ball, stand over and taunt him....no penalty, except to the other team.

Even before that happened, Hollins flexed over Mims while not letting him get up after the hit. It was great play by Hollins and the celebrating doesn't bother me. The flexing over him is corny and has been called for taunting every other time I've seen that happen in a game. The long snapper is a complete clown for the entire interaction after that and the refs are even bigger clowns.

 

[GloryDaze4877]

McDaniels still being paid by the Raiders, so this would absolutely be right up the Kraft’s alley.

Except it was Belichick, not Kraft that was responsible for doing this stuff. Under Bill, the Pats typically had one of the smaller staffs in the NFL. The rumor was that he was given X amount for the coaching staff salaries and any extra went back to him.

Unsure if that is true or it was just BB’s dislike of coaches outside his circle of trust? Either way, he was the one that brought Patricia and Judge back while they were still being paid by other organizations. Followed that up by not giving them titles (so they retained their HC salaries) and assigning them to positions they had no experience coaching.

 

[bbfan419]

Johnson was my #1.

Flores not getting a serious interview f***ing blows.

True, Coen, Klingsbury and J. Brady would have good candidates as well, but yeah Johnson I think could have helped Maye and the offense a lot.

 

[DKH]

Yeah, Polk and Baker looked amazing compared to that bum McConkey ...

although I wanted McConkey and discussed this with Lou & Joe about it last April if he’s a slot or not; I also was very impressed with Polk at Washington

I would have had no problem drafting Polk and they did. I liked the pick a lot. I taped M-F Path to the Draft, studied Dane Brugler’s The Draft Beast in the Athletic, and digested all the draft podcasts from Fly Eagles Fly, Moving the Sticks, Perry etc. …

I’m also not giving up on him and expect a 180 change next season on Polk

So for me to say Wolf sucks would be like me admitting I suck - which anyone who ever has ever been around me knows I’m awesome

 

[RoccoF14]

They are.


You'll have more accountability but will be bring them to the next level? He had one good run on the Titans and their offenses weren't exactly the 80's Chargers.

Not a Pats fan, but I like this hire. It’s not so much whether or not he will bring them to the next level (not sure what that means….Super Bowl or just playoffs)?). For me, it’s more about stopping the rot, establishing a culture, and getting back to just playing sound, physical football. He’ll get that foundation set, and then you can go from there….

 

[Johnnyduke]

I watch NFL Network shows everyday and listen to 4-5 local and National podcasts and people I respect have said this. His dad Ron Wolf was excellent football mind and lot of people respect him from Greg Cosell to Mike Tannenbaum to Scott Pioli to Daniel Jeremiah……

He’s super respected in the football world. Talk show hosts and fans don’t seem to like him.

The insufferability of this post

As if nobody else has access to this stuff

Wolf had a terrible first year. That is not even a debate.

 

[RoccoF14]

although I wanted McConkey and discussed this with Lou & Joe about it last April if he’s a slot or not; I also was very impressed with Polk at Washington

I would have had no problem drafting Polk and they did. I liked the pick a lot. I taped M-F Path to the Draft, studied Dane Brugler’s The Draft Beast in the Athletic, and digested all the draft podcasts from Fly Eagles Fly, Moving the Sticks, Perry etc. …

I’m also not giving up on him and expect a 180 change next season on Polk

So for me to say Wolf sucks would be like me admitting I suck - which anyone who ever has ever been around me knows I’m awesome

How’d he do in the other 5 rounds?

 

[Johnnyduke]

These refs stink

The entire Broncos organization should be jailed for these uniforms

 

[RoccoF14]

These refs stink

The entire Broncos organization should be jailed for these uniforms

I actually like the orange pants. I still can’t figure out why Denver, NE and the Jets don’t go back to their original unis full time.

Rams too. Their uniforms are an abomination. They used to have such a clean look. Datk blue, white and gold. I even liked their white horns on the helmet.

Not a fan of the Vikes uniforms either since they went to the lighter purple. Those old school unis were perfect.

 

[RoccoF14]

That Josh Allen throw was insane…

 

[EverettMike]

I watch NFL Network shows everyday and listen to 4-5 local and National podcasts and people I respect have said this. His dad Ron Wolf was excellent football mind and lot of people respect him from Greg Cosell to Mike Tannenbaum to Scott Pioli to Daniel Jeremiah……

He’s super respected in the football world. Talk show hosts and fans don’t seem to like him.

What has he actually done for fans to like him?

 

[DKH]

How’d he do in the other 5 rounds?

Maye was A+
Milton clearly looks worth the pick

Wallace & Robinson struggled but let’s see how they look with better coaching

ask me again next January

What has he actually done for fans to like him?

They don’t like him. Fans rarely like anyone though

 

[22Brad Park]

Good game to blowout in blink..Turn channel time.

 

[Donnie Shulzhoffer]

Maye was A+
Milton clearly looks worth the pick

Wallace & Robinson struggled but let’s see how they look with better coaching

ask me again next January


They don’t like him. Fans rarely like anyone though

You didn’t answer Mike’s question.

 

[smithformeragent]

I actually like the orange pants. I still can’t figure out why Denver, NE and the Jets don’t go back to their original unis full time.

Rams too. Their uniforms are an abomination. They used to have such a clean look. Datk blue, white and gold. I even liked their white horns on the helmet.

Not a fan of the Vikes uniforms either since they went to the lighter purple. Those old school unis were perfect.

Because this allows them to sell the throwback gear as well as the modern.

 

[DKH]

https://nesn.com/2025/01/why-patriots-fans-should-be-excited-for-possible-josh-mcdaniels-reunion/amp/

Fantastic!!!!!

Let’s go!!!!

 

[GloryDaze4877]

I’m sitting and watching the game with Dan and am reading him some of the responses to his posts. He laughed and asked me to ask how Johnnie and Donnie are doing.

I think it’s a calculated risk to keep Wolf on when Vrabel is going to bring Cowden in as well, but the flip side is that I want as many good “football people” in the organization as possible. You want people to challenge one another and to give differing opinions. As long as people are clear that there is one person that has final say, it can work.

One of the biggest issues the last few years and this year in particular was that Belichick had his fingers in everything going on, influenced everything and had final say. He was a unicorn. I want the Pats to model themselves after PHI, BAL, LAR, etc., and build out the staff with more scouts, stats people and coaches. Teams need that infrastructure to be successful imo.

Wolf did not have a good first draft outside of Maye (although I hate judging any draft less than a year later). He does seem to be very well respected around the league and liked by many draft people and analysts.

As far as the fans go. I find most New England fans (particularly the younger ones) to be very entitled and reactionary. I could care less if the fans like Wolf as long as he brings something to the table behind the scenes.

 

[Troublesome 85]

Just feels like the same old same old they hasitily rushed the interviews just to bring in someone familiar.

Id love someone outside the organization with fresh ideas and takes

 

[N o o d l e s]

Pats locker room needs more of this, I’ll say that

 

[HustleB]

I have longed for a Shanahan-Lynch, Belichick-Pioli style relationship. For that reason I was hoping the Pats would allow Vrabel to bring Cowden in as a GM. I don't hate Wolf but was disappointed in the returns on our draft beyond Maye. I do think someone correctly added Milton as well and he certainly did look good. But the WRs and OLs looked way over there head and that was scary when guys have been making an impact in their rookie year.

Like others I give the picks and Elliot more time but it’s a big year for all of them.