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Mike Vrabel discussed Patriots wide receivers, Josh McDaniels, and a Will Campbell joke in WEEI interview
Vrabel also credited the hustle of K'Lavon Chaisson, who made a crucial play in New England's road victory.
Mike Vrabel may have been a little short on sleep when he called WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show” for his weekly interview on Monday morning following his team’s comeback win over the Ravens the previous night, but the Patriots‘ head coach was full of praise for his playoff-bound team.
“I think we’re pretty resilient,” Vrabel said of his team after the 28-24 rally to defeat Baltimore. “I think we’ve got a bunch of guys that can help on any given night.”
“I think we play hard,” he added. “I hope that comes off the screen.”
The road win against the Ravens officially put New England back in the postseason for the first time since 2021.
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It came despite the Patriots falling behind by 11 points in the fourth quarter, only for Drake Maye and New England’s offense to stage an impressive rally (aided by timely defense).
Here are a few other notable quotes from Vrabel’s interview:
Stefon Diggs and Patriots wide receivers
One of the crucial difference-makers for the Patriots on Sunday was veteran wideout Stefon Diggs, who finished his night with nine catches (on 10 targets) for 138 yards.
Vrabel praised Diggs not just for his role Sunday, but for his overall patience within the team’s setup. Diggs has been comfortable not always being the focal point in the game-plan this season, taking his opportunities when they come.
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“I just think that there’s a passion, there’s a fire, there’s a competitiveness. Again, we’ve been through this it seems like every week,” Vrabel said of the wide receivers. “The nature of this position, everybody wants the ball, they want it as many times as they can get it. They think they’re always open. I’ve been around receivers.”
He used a memorable call-back for Patriots fans, citing his own role as a red zone pass-catcher during his playing days (Vrabel had 10 career catches in New England, all for touchdowns).
“Hell, every time I went in there on a goal-line [sequence], I thought I was open,” he acknowledged, “and I wasn’t probably most of the time.”
“They’ve stayed focused,” Vrabel said of the wide receivers. “They’ve stayed committed to understanding that it could be anybody’s night, and that the ball is going to find them, and that Drake was going to improve on some of the things [from] when it didn’t find guys, and making sure that it did. You’ve got to keep telling these guys, ‘Run routes with the intent to win, and if the ball finds you, you have to make a play.’ Guys were able to do that last night.”
K’Lavon Chaisson’s role with the defense
The play that all but won the game for the Patriots on Sunday night was a defensive one forced by linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson. The 26-year-old never gave up on a play, chasing down Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers from behind before forcing a turnover (which New England recovered).
Vrabel was questioned about what he saw from Chaisson, a former Jaguars first-round pick who has caught on with the Patriots.
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“He had play speed and he played hard,” Vrabel said when asked what qualities he saw in Chaisson. “That’s what jumped off the tape. All the credit goes to him for being able to come help himself, and help us. He puts a lot into it, and I think that’s just a great reminder that the effort which you play with can help you.
“He combined some effort. He combined some awareness, coaching points throughout the week, and he came up with a huge play there,” Vrabel said of the fumble. “But again, there are a lot of journeys to an NFL career. You know it. I know it. There are a lot different paths to having a career, so wherever guys started, or however they got here, we just focus on what they do when they get here.”
His thoughts on Josh McDaniels
During his WEEI interview a week ago, Vrabel’s characterization of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ game plan raised a few eyebrows following the defeat against the Bills.
“You can only run so many double-passes that gain 13 yards, you know what I mean? That’s cool, and it’s cute, but you can only run so many of those,” he said of the Patriots offense.
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A week later, Vrabel was queried if there is any rift with McDaniels.
“There is no issue with any one of our coaches and me,” he replied. “If there is a problem, they know about it. We’re trying to win games.”
McDaniels, for his part, has said it was a “simple decision” to return to the Patriots in the offseason for a third stint with the team, and has praised Vrabel’s leadership.
“We have done a really nice job of coming together as a coaching staff,” Vrabel said of the group. “They all have different roles. I’m extremely happy to have every single one of them. So we’re going to pick up the pieces, figure out who’s available, and get to work on the Jets.
“This is a collective group, and I’m excited to be a part of it.”
A Will Campbell joke
Recently, Patriots rookie left tackle Will Campbell took in a Celtics game. When TD Garden cameras cut to him, Campbell ripped his shirt off and proceeded to emphatically chug a beer (to the crowd’s delight).
Asked about Campbell, Vrabel initially noted that the rookie remains on Injured Reserve and will not be back at practice this week.
As for his beer-chugging, Vrabel couldn’t resist a joke.
“I’m thinking about firing our strength coach with the way he looked with his shirt off.”
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