Pats Pulpit
The New England Patriots are set for their regular season finale against the Miami Dolphins, where they’ll look to secure a 14-win season in Mike Vrabel’s first year in charge. Then, eyes turn to the playoffs.
It’s been a busy week here on Pats Pulpit, with our focus on the conclusion of the regular season and the ongoing legal charges brought upon a pair of players. For anything else not covered previously, let’s clean out the notebook. Welcome to this week’s edition of our Sunday Patriots Notes.
A larger than usual media presence resided in the Gillette Stadium workroom Wednesday and Friday this week as Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel took the stage.
To no surprise, Vrabel’s Wednesday press conference specifically was dominated by questions regarding Stefon Diggs and Christian Barmore, who both had legal charges brought against them to days prior.
15 of the 19 questions Vrabel faced that day regarded the duo’s situation. But as Vrabel worked through each response, he now most make sure his team navigates through the potential distraction this situation brings upon a team that is a week away from their appearing in their first playoff game.
“I would say not disappointing at all. These are allegations,” Vrabel responded when asked about dealing with these distractions. “It’s things that we have to handle, and every day there’s distractions, some are smaller than others. I’m confident that we’ll focus on the Dolphins and those two individuals that you mentioned will be able to handle the ongoing legal process.”
Inside the locker room, players took note about a larger media continent that usual. But for those who chose to speak with them, they took a similar approach to their head coach.
“Noise is noise,” veteran tackle Morgan Moses said. “We’re not stopping for anything. We got one goal, one focus. Everybody in this locker room… we got the same goal and that’s to go out there and dominate this Sunday.”
“Focusing on Miami is the main object,” captain Marcus Jones added. “We want what’s best for everyone at the end of the day, but when we come into the building we have a job to do.”
“No distractions,” fellow cornerback Christian Gonzalez said. “Worried about what’s going on in this building and getting ready for Miami.”
This Sunday against Miami, New England appears set to take the field with both Diggs, who was present for all three days of practice, and Barmore, who missed Wednesday with an illness before returning.
As the duo remain around, their teammates will continue to have their support.
“What’s in this locker room is what’s in this locker room. They’re our brothers. No matter what,” Moses said.
“The best thing Coach Vrabel always says, let those guys speak for themselves,” Drake Maye said. “I’m going to support them any way I can, support my teammates, and I love those guys. Those two, really everybody, I’ve really got a good relationship with, and I feel like whatever they need...
