Changes have nothing to do with past Patriots teams

Mike Vrabel has modified a number of the norms from the Patriots’ dynasty days in his first season because the workforce’s head coach, however he’s insisting the modifications aren’t as a result of he’s trying to get out of the shadow of the workforce’s prior success.

When Vrabel was requested if he felt he was erasing the burden of the previous with a number of the choices he’s made, the Patriots head coach made it clear he was going to depart his personal mark on the franchise, no matter prior success.

“I don’t know what the burden is,” Vrabel instructed reporters on Friday, scoffing on the query. “They’ve received eight video games in two years. So, none of that issues. Whether or not it was the Tremendous Bowl or a not excellent yr, it doesn’t matter.

“On this league, in the event you take a nap, you’re going to get beat. That’s how it’s. We’re not making an attempt to take a nap. We’re simply making an attempt to play good soccer, be aggressive, benefit from our alternatives … all this stuff that we discuss doing. I don’t have sufficient time to deal with what occurred yesterday, not to mention what occurred seven years in the past.”

The latest change from the Patriots’ dynasty days that Vrabel made got here previous to their Week 8 victory over the Browns. As an alternative of being launched as a workforce, the offensive starters have been launched individually, ditching a practice that had been in place for twenty-four years.

Along with the change within the pregame introductions, the workforce has ditched the “Awww, yeah!” chant that they might use on the finish of locker room speeches following victories. Invoice Belichick’s “Do your job” phrase has additionally appeared to turn out to be a factor of the previous in Foxborough.

So, it’s straightforward to have a look at these modifications and assume that it’s Vrabel’s manner of claiming that it’s time for the Patriots to maneuver on from the glory days. However Vrabel stated that he’s simply “making an attempt to do what we really feel like is greatest” as a way to win video games.

“With the gamers and the communication and me and the employees and Eliot [Wolf], and all people else concerned,” Vrabel stated. “That’s all we’re making an attempt to do, simply win video games, get good guys, have them take pleasure in coming to work, coach the [expletive] out of them, watch them have success, be excited for them. None of that’s, ‘Properly they did it this manner, we’re going to do the alternative.’

“There’s numerous issues and concepts which can be good that you just take from folks. And there’s some stuff you give you by yourself which can be good.”

On the midway mark, Vrabel’s method has labored. The Patriots are 6-2 and lead the AFC East, with a playoff bid trying probably.

However the modifications Vrabel has made haven’t been all easy crusing, together with the modifications he’s made to the tradition. There have been a number of messups when the Patriots took the sector individually forward of their Week 8 matchup towards the Browns, permitting Vrabel to snort a bit at himself on Friday.

“There’s some ones which can be clunkers,” Vrabel stated of the modifications. “After they’re clunkers, you personal it, change it, and repair it. So, we’ll make some modifications to the participant bulletins, and we’ll get the names so as this time, and we’ll go from there.

“Once more, I’m excited. I like teaching these guys. It’s enjoyable. They make coming to work numerous enjoyable.”