New England Patriots - NESN.com
Mike Vrabel offered high praise for a Week 9 opponent, even if the compliment didn’t land with all of his New England Patriots players.
The head coach had three scout team players wear No. 7 to prepare for Bijan Robinson. Asked about those efforts on Friday, Vrabel likened the Atlanta Falcons running back to a Hall of Famer.
However, he doesn’t think all of his younger players understood the reference.
“Obviously, Bijan is a focal point for what they’re going to do,” Vrabel said. “He’s an excellent player, fantastic player. I compared him to Marshall Faulk. I got some eyebrows that were raised, and I was like, ‘Google Marshall Faulk tonight and enjoy the highlights.'”
Vrabel is setting quite a high bar for Robinson. The most dangerous and versatile back of his era, Faulk exceeded 1,300 rushing yards, 80 catches and 750 receiving yards in four straight seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and St. Louis Rams.
Faulk won MVP honors when tallying 2,189 scrimmage yards and 21 touchdowns during the 2000 season. The following season, he collected 301 yards and three touchdowns in two Rams playoff wins before amassing 130 yards in a Super Bowl XXXVI loss to Vrabel and the Patriots.
Robinson hasn’t reached those lofty heights yet, but his pass-catching role has expanded with 413 receiving yards this season. The 2023 first-round pick is averaging 137.4 scrimmage yards per game after amassing 1,887 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024.
New England’s No. 2 rushing defense will look to stymie Robinson, who has 388 rushing yards in Atlanta’s three wins and 161 in four losses. The Falcons will need a big day from the 23-year-old to pull off a road upset this Sunday.
