Mike Vrabel energized the Patriots, drawing large training camp crowds and generating palpable buzz. Early signs included a dominant joint practice against the Commanders and a 48-18 preseason victory. Recent sessions and games exposed defensive shortcomings in a joint practice with the Vikings. The offense led by Drake Maye struggled at times, and a narrow 20-12 preseason win required effort against backups. The Patriots sat 35 players in the finale, and second- and third-stringers were beaten 42-10 by the Giants' backups. The team must correct course to regain momentum and assess roster and coaching adjustments.
I want to galvanize our football team. I want to galvanize this building. I want to galvanize our fans.
This is the third week of our first training camp as a coaching staff and as a team. That's what I want everybody to realize. We have to get this right.
Training camp crowds peaked at 13,000 one day. Players and coaches reported a palpable buzz around the facility. And the Patriots had success in a joint practice with the Washington Commanders (who played in the NFC Championship Game last year), then throttled them in the preseason opener, 48-18. At that point, the outlook surrounding the Patriots was decidedly positive. The promise remains for an improved team that plays with relentless "effort and finish," but what has unfolded the past two weeks has stunted some of that early momentum.
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