FOXBORO — A lot of the Patriots’ gamers have been constructing towards Sunday’s playoff game because the spring, after they convened for the offseason exercise program.
However head coach Mike Vrabel and the Patriots’ entrance workplace have additionally added gamers alongside the way in which to fill in depth on the 53-man roster and observe squad.
Two of these gamers, operating again Elijah Mitchell and linebacker Chad Muma, are comparatively deep into their NFL careers and might present a singular perspective on what they observed concerning the buy-in and culure after they arrived.
“The buy-in’s undoubtedly there, man,” Mitchell instructed the Herald. “I’ve been within the league for 5 years, man. They acquired what it takes. They acquired the gamers. Obtained to go put it collectively. That’s it.”
Mitchell would know. Chosen by the 49ers within the sixth spherical of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Louisiana, the operating again made the postseason every of the primary three years of his profession, advancing to Tremendous Bowl LVIII in 2023. He signed with the Patriots’ observe squad in late December after spending time with the Chiefs earlier this season.
Muma, who started his profession with the Jaguars in 2022 as a third-round select of Wyoming, also joined the team in December, when he was signed of the Colts’ observe squad.
“It’s superior to see the buy-in out right here,” Muma instructed the Herald. “I feel being on just a few totally different groups now, and popping out right here late within the season and coming proper after the Buffalo loss, and seeing how this group actually acquired collectively and actually welcomed me into the locker room and allowed me to hitch the tradition that has been constructed up right here has been superior, and it’s been nice to be part of.”
Mitchell and Muma have been significantly impressed with Vrabel as their head coach.
Vrabel helped flip the Patriots round from a workforce that went 4-13 in back-to-back seasons to a 14-3 squad that earned the No. 2 seed within the AFC.
“I feel before everything, he holds everybody accountable,” Muma mentioned. “That’s what I’ve observed essentially the most out right here is once we’re finding out for the sport week, he’s holding everybody accountable. Doesn’t matter what place you might be, the place you’re at on the workforce so far as taking part in time, everybody’s held accountable to the identical customary. Everybody’s getting ready like they’re a starter. And on the similar time, the gamers maintain one another accountable. And Vrabes does an ideal job speaking to the entire workforce, what our targets are every week. And I feel that sort of helps individuals buy-in a bit bit simpler.”
Added Mitchell: “He’s an incredible coach, man. The best way he do issues and work together with the gamers and stuff. The best way he keep on you. That’s enormous.”
It’s not arduous to see why the Patriots have been profitable this season. They tackle the Chargers on Sunday night time at 8 p.m.
