Mike Vrabel
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Patriots coach Mike Vrabel is sounding a lot like a previous Patriots coach lately.
Though it was just a preseason game against an undermanned opponent, the New England Patriots’ blowout 48-18 victory over the Washington Commanders on Friday night appears to have done wonders for the Patriots confidence — and new head coach Mike Vrabel is no exception.
In the first of his weekly Monday appearances on Boston radio station WEEI, Vrabel whether he meant to or not, began to sound increasingly similar to a previous coach who was certainly the most confident, a definitely the most successful coach in Patriots history — Bill Belichick.
Vrabel Was Once a Belichick Disciple
Belichick was finally fired by owner Robert Kraft after a 4-13 2023 season, even though the legendary coach led the Patriots to six Super Bowl championships and nine Super Bowl appearances in his 24 years at the helm of the New England franchise — which had won zero championships in two Super Bowl bids over the 40 years of the Patriots existence before Belichick’s arrival in 2000 (the Patriots also played in, and lost, the AFL championship game to the San Diego Chargers in 1964).
Vrabel played linebacker for the Patriots, with Belichick as his head coach, from 2001 through 2007.
In that eight-year stint, Vrabel was a key player on three Super Bowl-winning teams (2001, 2003, 2004) and was also on the 2007 Patriots team that recorded the only 16-0 regular season in NFL history. But that Vrabel-Belichick team somehow lost the Super Bowl to the New York Giants to end the season, 17-14.
Belichick Had Uniquely Evasive Interview Style
As well-known as he was for his stunning run of success with his Patriots teams on the field, Belichick was perhaps nearly as well known for his dealings with the media, interactions in which the iconic coach somehow managed to deflect almost every media question with a terse, noncommittal comment — even in his Monday radio appearances.
Since taking over as head coach in January, Vrabel has been distancing himself from Belichick, cutting ties with multiple players who were drafted or acquired by his former head coach. But on Monday, Vrabel appeared to channel the spirit of Belichick in his curt, opaque answers to a few intriguing questions.
In the victory over the Commanders, the Patriots star free agent wide receiver Stefon Diggs did not play, or even suit up. Confined to the sidelines, watching the game in streetclothes — despite having been a full participant in training camp practices.
Diggs has been recovering from an ACL tear suffered last October.
During his Monday interview, WEEI interviewer Courtney Cox asked Vrabel if Diggs was deliberately held out of the Friday preseason game as a “precaution.”
Vrabel was apparently in no mood to address the Diggs issue, and gave a Belichick-like, two-word reply.
“Coach’s decision,” Vrabel said.
Joe Milton Query Draws Belichick’s Favorite Line From Vrabel
Later, co-host Chris Curtis asked Vrabel why the Patriots in April felt the need to take backup quarterback Joe Milton to the Dallas Cowboys, replacing him with former San Francisco 49ers backup Josh Dobbs.
“Just another coach’s decision,” Vrabel responded. “Felt like this is what was best for our team. Trying to do what’s best for the team.”
The “what’s best for the team” response was Belichick’s most frequently-used evasions. In the 2016 season alone, Belichick used the line 36 times in response to reporters’ questions.