New England Patriots
fromMusket Fire
7 hours agoPatriots' overlooked signing might be the most underrated move of the offseason
Mike Vrabel's hiring and Reggie Gilliam's signing are pivotal for the Patriots' 2025 offseason success.
The New England Patriots are back in the Super Bowl. In an amazing turn of events from two disastrous 4-13 seasons under two different former coaches, Robert Kraft finally hired Mike Vrabel. In one magical offseason, he engineered a transformation for the ages, turning an NFL frog into a prince by reaching the Super Bowl. Vrabel and his young quarterback, Drake Maye, beat all the odds, and owner Robert Kraft can again stake a claim to being the best owner in the NFL.
The New England Patriots got good news on that front when it comes to Drake Maye's banged-up throwing shoulder. Lindsay Jones reported that Maye not only practiced in full on Wednesday, but took every first-team rep. That's a good sign that Maye, after taking most of last week off, will be about as close to 100 percent as possible entering his 21st game of the season.
He's been balling, Hawkins said of Woodson, who led the NFL with 30 postseason tackles. I'm so proud of him, especially to see his growth throughout the season and knowing him since he was a freshman in college. Coming into this league, starting off the jump as a rookie. I'm proud of him. I respect the hell out of him. He's my brother.
We don't know if none of this happens without him - the 10 trips to the Super Bowl this century, the six championships secured, with a seventh pending Sunday night's outcome. Tom Brady probably becomes a superb quarterback even if Adam Vinatieri had shanked that 45-yard, tying field goal on that snow-globe Saturday night against the Raiders in February 2002. Bill Belichick probably wins dozens, maybe even hundreds, of football games as a head coach.
No, ESPN does not hate the Patriots. Wait, check that for a second. Rex Ryan definitely hates the Patriots. Give him some grace on that. The man coached the Jets for six years. You have no idea what that does to the soul. Some might also add Cam Newton to the Patriot Haters Club, since he seems to have a terrible take on something going on in Foxborough every time he appears on "First Take" or its ilk.