New England Patriots - NESN.com
Another Sunday has come and gone with the New England Patriots making a statement to the rest of the NFL.
In their 28-23 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Patriots’ seventh straight win, head coach Mike Vrabel may have the strongest message of everyone.
“This is because of me.”
Now, Vrabel never actually said that. And like any head coach, he would never take that arrogant of a victory lap. You just hope that Patriots ownership recognizes his impact on this team’s success beyond just being a head coach.
As the Patriots improved to 5-0 on the road this season, it was all Vrabel players who made an impact or had a significant play in the victory.
Wide receiver Kyle Williams and running back TreVeyon Henderson combined for three touchdowns. Vrabel drafted both rookies.
Wide receiver Stefon Diggs scored a touchdown for a third straight game. He was the biggest free agent acquisition on offense by Vrabel.
Edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson, defensive tackle Milton Williams and rookie defensive back Craig Woodson all combined for the sack on fourth-and-3 that set up Henderson’s second score of the game.
Chaisson and Williams were both free agency signings this past summer by Vrabel, while Woodson was another rookie drafted by a Vrabel-led front office.
The head coach comes up with the gameplan, and the players have to execute it in order to win. You just need the right players for that head coach to find success. That’s why the general manager and head coach relationship is so important.
I know what you’re thinking: “What about Eliot Wolf?” Yes, Wolf holds the title of executive vice president of player personnel. But Ryan Cowden is also the vice president of player personnel.
Slight difference in title, but Cowden is a Vrabel hire. The head coach inherited his EVP of player personnel.Vrabel calls the shots for his roster with Cowden by his side.
While he’s doing an incredible job leading the Patriots to an 8-2 start, matching their win total from the prior two seasons combined, it would not be possible without his choices in this roster construction.
