Replacing Mike Vrabel

The New England Patriots have their work cut out for them this season, especially as some of the team’s best players from 2008 will not be returning to play at Gillette Stadium this year. The two heavy hitters that have left an obvious hole in the Patriots’ lineup are, of course, Rodney Harrison and Mike Vrabel, who have moved on to other endeavors outside of New England. Expected to fill the void of Vrabel’s tough outside linebacker position this year are linebackers Pierre Woods and Shawn Crable, both of whom are veterans with the Patriots and should be able to help take over where Vrabel left off.

Mike Vrabel was traded earlier this offseason in a surprise move that sent both he and QB Matt Cassel to the Kansas City Chiefs, and when asked about the shocking trade, quarterback Tom Brady recently said, “I’m not surprised by anything anymore. It’s part of the game. It’s part of the league. I know Mike is happy to have a job. We’re all happy to have a job. Like I said, Mike is a great friend of ours. We miss him, and I know he misses us. But if we ever play Kansas City, we want to beat the crap out of him.” For now, that means sizing up both Woods and Crable to take his place.

To get New England Patriots tickets, go to StubHub.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on July 2, 2009 - Post a comment