DE Mike Vrabel (All B1G, All American, Pro Bowl, All Pro, Super Bowl Champion)

[OSUsushichic]

I offer my apologies for breaking the cardinal rule that we, as Ohio State fans, have to be hypocrites when it comes to our own. From now on, I will only sing the praises of Mike Vrabel... no matter how much he reminds me of Kimo Von Oelhoffen or Mike Hart.

Well, there is a "no Buckeye bashing" rule on BP. You've been around here long enough to know that. That doesn't mean you have to sing his praises, it just means be smart about your comments. Don't be hatin'.

 

[OH10]

Well, there is a "no Buckeye bashing" rule on BP. You've been around here long enough to know that. That doesn't mean you have to sing his praises, it just means be smart about your comments. Don't be hatin'.

Well, would it be fair for me to say that I don't think Vrabel should be considered for a coaching position on Jim Tressel's staff after he retires from the Patriots?

No one in college football, or even in sports for that matter, has done a better job than Jim Tressel coaching his young people to do and say the right things - which isn't ALWAYS effective because you are still dealing with college kids.

But Vrabel is a pro, and a damn good one at that. Unfortunately, he wasn't coached by Tressel and it shows. I don't think Tressel should allow someone like that, despite his borderline HOF resume, to coach anywhere on his team. He simply has not learned to win with class (going for the knees when you're up big or fighting with other players when you're up big) nor has he learned to take criticism with class (lashing out against a HOF coach even if what he said was ridiculous).

 

[OSUsushichic]

Well, would it be fair for me to say that I don't think Vrabel should be considered for a coaching position on Jim Tressel's staff after he retires from the Patriots?

No one in college football, or even in sports for that matter, has done a better job than Jim Tressel coaching his young people to do and say the right things - which isn't ALWAYS effective because you are still dealing with college kids.

But Vrabel is a pro, and a damn good one at that. Unfortunately, he wasn't coached by Tressel and it shows. I don't think Tressel should allow someone like that, despite his borderline HOF resume, to coach anywhere on his team. He simply has not learned to win with class (going for the knees when you're up big or fighting with other players when you're up big) nor has he learned to take criticism with class (lashing out against a HOF coach even if what he said was ridiculous).

 

[billmac91]

his cheap shot on Derek Anderson and Joe Thomas was beyond bush league FWIW

 

[Buckskin86]

Vrabel surpassing the test of time
Monday, November 26, 2007
BY ROBERT LEE
Journal Sports Writer

FOXBORO ? Don?t call him an old man just yet.

Like a fine wine, Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel is getting better with age.

It?s something that he?s proud of, and should be. The average football career lasts only about 3? years, according to the NFL Players Association.

Vrabel, now 32, has been making tackles, sacking quarterbacks, forcing fumbles and intercepting passes for 10? seasons. And somehow, someway, he is poised to have one of his best overall seasons of his career.

With 50 tackles in the Patriots? first 10 games, Vrabel is on pace to accumulate 80 tackles this season. Sure, that number is down from his last two seasons ? he recorded 114 tackles in 2005, 101 tackles last season ? but 80 tackles would be the third-highest total of his career.

But that?s not what has been most impressive about Vrabel this season.

The hard-nosed linebacker out of Ohio State entered this week?s action leading the NFL in sacks, with 9?. Four of those sacks were strip-sacks. His 9? total ties his career-high (2003) and ties the highest total by a Patriot since Willie McGinest had 11 in 1995. Vrabel had a combined total of only nine sacks in the regular season over his previous two seasons. Vrabel entered last night?s game with at least one sack in the Patriots? previous four games.

Why the big improvement?

One reason is because he has moved back to his more natural position ? outside linebacker ? after spending the last 2? years filling in at inside linebacker for various reasons.

Vrabel surpassing the test of time | New England Patriots | projo.com | The Providence Journal

 

[Buckskin86]

12/5/07
Mike Vrabel Conference Call Transcript

New England Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel addresses the Pittsburgh media during his conference call on December 5, 2007.

What's Ohio State doing in the title game?

Hopefully not getting blown out. They've got some scores to settle with that SEC.

Mike Vrabel Conference Call Transcript

 

[Buckskin86]

Published: December 08, 2007 01:30 am

Vrabel's quest for greatness starts tomorrow
Hector Longo/Staff Writer

FOXBORO | It's quiz time: Mike Vrabel is ...

A. The consummate professional

B. The perfect Patriot

C. A versatile playmaker

D. Regarded league-wide as a star

Any Patriots fan would hunt for the "all of the above" option on this FAT (Football Aptitude Test) stumper, that is until you read the "D."

His inexplicably easy 10 career TD catches notwithstanding, Vrabel, now in his seventh season here, is devoid of that one, defining Patriots moment on defense that followers of this team will cherish.

Yes, the linebacker's two sacks in Super Bowl XXXVIII against Carolina were nice, but were they the difference?

And he added a dunking of Donovan McNabb in a productive Super Bowl XXXIX. Again, game-changing? Probably not.

Beginning with the Pittsburgh showdown tomorrow | and, for that matter, the rest of the way right through Super Bowl XLII | Vrabel can make the giant step toward greatness.

It's fitting that his march will ride concurrently with the team's climb. "Team first, Mike second" has always been his modus operandi. He's already rolling to his first Pro Bowl with a team-best 9.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and 60 tackles (43 solos).

Vrabel's quest for greatness starts tomorrow - EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA

 

[Buckskin86]

Vrabel got away from Steelers
By John Harris
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, December 9, 2007


Former Steelers linebacker Mike Vrabel is one who got away.
Vrabel, selected in the third round of the 1997 draft (91st overall), played his first four seasons with the Steelers.

The New England Patriots signed Vrabel as an unrestricted free agent, and the rest is history.

Vrabel has started 93 games in seven seasons with the Patriots after never starting a game with the Steelers.

He's won three Super Bowls and has 41 sacks and 10 interceptions with the Patriots. He also has recorded 10 career receptions with the Patriots, all resulting in touchdowns, including two this season.
Vrabel, who starts at outside linebacker, was voted a captain for the 2007 season by his teammates. He set a single-game career record this season for forced fumbles with three while tying single-game career high marks in tackles (15) and sacks (three) in a win over Washington, receiving AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for the first time. He leads the Patriots with 9 1/2 sacks.

Steelers Q&A with Patriots Mike Vrabel - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Honor-bound Patriots?
Vrabel's sacks may contain a Pro Bowl slot
By Christopher L. Gasper
Globe Staff / December 9, 2007

FOXBOROUGH - Tom Brady said last year that if you looked up "New England Patriots" in the dictionary, there should be a big picture of Troy Brown's face there. Right next to Brown would be linebacker Mike Vrabel.

Vrabel is arguably the most undervalued piece of the pseudo-dynasty that sprouted up in Foxborough starting in 2001, the year he arrived as a little-known linebacker/defensive end cast aside by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Vrabel enters today's game against his former team leading the Patriots with 9 1/2 sacks, a total that ties him for second in the AFC and matches his career high, set in 2003. If he reaches double digits, he will be the first Patriot to do so since Bill Belichick became coach in 2000 and the first since Willie McGinest had 11 in 1995.

While quarterbacks haven't often eluded the 32-year-old Vrabel, recognition has.

The 11-year veteran never has been voted to a Pro Bowl. His best chance may be this season with the Patriots at the center of the NFL universe thanks to their quest for a perfect season. Vrabel was running second to Shawne Merriman of the Chargers in the AFC fan voting, which is just one-third of the selection criteria, along with the votes of players and coaches, who will cast their ballots next Thursday and Friday. Three out side linebackers are selected, two starters and a backup.

Honor-bound Patriots? - The Boston Globe

 

[BB73]

Congrats to Mike Vrabel on being named a starter to the Pro Bowl. Amazing that it's his first selection.

Official Site of the National Football League

 

[Thump]

About time.

He's certainly earned it!

 

[Buckskin86]

Brady reserved judgment on the hiring of Rich Rodriguez as Michigan's coach. "I don't know much about him," said the Michigan alum. "I just hope he can beat Ohio State, so I won't have to hear it from [Mike ] Vrabel anymore."

Brown's status up in air for Patriots - The Boston Globe

 

[Buckskin86]

Jackie MacMullan

Pro Bowl nod? Vrabel 'gets it'
By Jackie MacMullan
Globe Columnist / December 23, 2007

FOXBOROUGH - It's akin to waking up on Christmas morning and discovering the present you've always dreamed of - but never dared to ask for - is under the tree.

It makes you want to check the tag twice to make sure it's really for you.

For Mike Vrabel, that "gift" is his first Pro Bowl invitation in his 11-season career. Yet to call it a gift is a misnomer. Nobody gave him anything - least of all the opportunity to amass the gaudy r?sum? that attracts the attention of Pro Bowl voters. This linebacker has no sack dance, no catchy nickname, no flashy endorsements. Any publicist worth his salt would find a clever way to highlight Vrabel's 10 catches for 10 touchdowns - that is, if he had a publicist.

If you knew Vrabel, you'd realize how absurd that notion truly is. (For you inquiring minds, he doesn't have a chef, a chauffeur, or a nanny, either.)

Pro Bowl nod? Vrabel 'gets it' - The Boston Globe

 

[Buckskin86]

Vrabel had a haul of takedowns
By Christopher L. Gasper and Mike Reiss
Globe Staff / December 24, 2007

FOXBOROUGH - Since Bill Belichick became the Patriots coach in 2000, no defensive player has reached double digits in sacks - until yesterday.

Newly minted Pro Bowl linebacker Mike Vrabel had two sacks yesterday to give him 11 1/2 for the season. That's the highest total by a Patriot since Andre Tippett recorded 12 1/2 in 1987.

When Vrabel sacked Dolphins quarterback Cleo Lemon for a 5-yard loss in the second quarter on third and 11 from the Miami 34, he set a career high and became the first Patriots player to reach double figures in sacks since Willie McGinest had 11 in 1995.

Vrabel ended the day with the two sacks, five tackles, and two quarterback hits.

"Mike's been doing that all year," said linebacker Junior Seau. "Mike is obviously a Pro Bowler. He comes to work every day. Every day during the week he prepares himself like no other and we're happy to have him on our team."

Vrabel had a haul of takedowns - The Boston Globe

 

[Buckskin86]

Vrabel as a replacement for Brady?

Sunday, December 30, 2007


EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- "Mike Vrabel is a guy who I'm not surprised by anything he's able to do."

So said Richard Seymour, after Vrabel put the finishing touch on the Patriots' perfect season by cleanly catching Lawrence Tynes' onside kick at the New York 41 with just over a minute remaining, preserving New England's historic, come-from-behind, 38-35 victory.

The players sent on to the field when an onside kick is expected are known as the "Hands" team. And, if you're surprised that a linebacker would be on it, well, you haven't been watching Vrabel in his seven seasons with the Patriots.

Vrabel as a replacement for Brady? | New England Patriots | projo.com | The Providence Journal

 

[Buckskin86]

Vrabel says downtime is well-spent
BY MARK FARINELLA / SUN CHRONICLE STAFF
Saturday, January 5, 2008

Patriots' linebacker Mike Vrabel (50) and defensive lineman Ty Warren (94) celebrate a big play. (Staff photo by Keith Nordstrom)
FOXBORO - There aren't as many advantages to having home-field advantage in the playoffs as you might think, Mike Vrabel said Friday.

"Obviously, we don't have to travel," the Pro Bowl-bound outside linebacker said at Gillette Stadium. "I don't think it means we're going to play any better. You have to go out there and play whether you're here or on the road. Playing football, whether you play better at home or on the road, you're still just giving yourself a better chance to win."

But Vrabel also acknowledged that if the Patriots weren't playing at home, and weren't good enough to have clinched home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs practically by Columbus Day, they wouldn't have the opportunity to spend a week fixing their problems before entering the quest to play in Super Bowl XLII.

"When you don't have an opponent to prepare for," he said, "you can certainly take a look at yourself and be critical of things you've done well, and things you haven't done so well. We always go back defensively to the red zone we can either play really, really well or we can play really, really bad.

"There's no real in-between," he added, "and we have to figure out how we can continue to do the things well when we're stopping them, what we're doing in the red zone - and when we're not stopping them, how do we correct that."

The Sun Chronicle Online - Sports