Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel’s relationship with wide receiver A.J. Brown was strong when the two were together in Tennessee, and Vrabel was eager to bring Brown to New England when the opportunity arose. But Brown says Vrabel isn’t the only one he’s glad to be working with for a second time.
Brown noted that Vrabel has hired a number of assistant coaches in New England who worked for him in Tennessee, and that the Patriots have a few other players who were on the Titans when Brown played there. Those people make Brown feel like he’s already at home.
“Do I feel at home? Yeah, I’m surrounded by a lot of Tennessee coaches and a couple Tennessee players, so walking in the building feels good,” Brown said.
To Brown, the most important familiar face may be Patriots wide receivers coach Todd Downing, who was the Titans’ offensive coordinator during Brown’s final year in Tennessee. Vrabel also brought with him several members of the support staff and athletic training staff who worked for him with the Titans.
“Being around coach Vrabel and other people I know, it feels great,” Brown said.
Brown’s relationships in Philadelphia reportedly got rocky at times, but in New England, he thinks he’s found the right home.