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

A Coaching Career in the Cards for Bruschi?

New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi is in the last year of his contract for the team he’s played with since joining the NFL in 1996, but that doesn’t mean the football dream is ending for this 36-year-old superstar. Bruschi has been mum when asked about his plans for after next year, saying he’s taking it one season at a time, but the 14-year Patriots linebacker has now revealed what may be in the works after he retires from the league: coaching. An obvious transition from playing, Bruschi has entertained the thought of coaching football after retirement, saying, “I know I can coach. I know the game. I’ve been in it so long. It’s just going to be a matter of what I do when I’m done. It’s a passion of mine. I know I love football. I know I want to be in it. Let’s just see what I’ll be doing.”

Perhaps as a precursor to what’s to come, Bruschi set up a youth football camp earlier this week, hosting his second Kids Football Clinic at Gillette Stadium on June 30. The camp was for children ages seven to 14 in the Foxborough area and featured help from Pats linebacker Jerod Mayo, tight end David Thomas, safety Ray Ventrone and kicker Stephen Gostkowski, with former QB Scott Zolak also helping out with instructing.

To get New England Patriots tickets, go to StubHub.

Permalink - Posted in Uncategorized on July 1, 2009 - Post a comment


 Page 3 of 3 « 1  2  3