New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel is finding ways to raise expectations consistently in the locker room. He is known for getting the very most out of his players, and this offseason he has set his sights on six-foot-five, 315-pound defensive tackle Christian Barmore to start playing to his fullest capability.
Barmore teamed up with Super Bowl champion Milton Williams in the interior of the Patriots' defensive line last season. When the duo was healthy, there wasn't a team in the NFL that could run the football against them. It took more than three months for the team to allow its first 50-yard rusher.
Barmore ranked ninth among all defensive linemen with 50 pressures last season. Despite his constant backfield presence, Barmore was only able to secure two sacks on the season.
Vrabel told reporters that he has been working with Barmore this offseason with an emphasis on finishing plays.
"I just want to see him finish. Some of those plays that he had in the backfield around the quarterback, and instead of being disruptive, being able to finish those, because he did that a lot," Vrabel said.
"I try to talk to him about not being frustrated, that those plays impact the game. It may not show up on a statistical category. But I think his attitude has been great. I enjoy working with him; I do. I’m looking for more and more of the same next year."
Barmore is heading into year two of a four-year, $84 million extension signed when his second-round rookie contract was expiring.
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