On Monday, one of the top Patriots’ linebackers of the last decade decided to retire from the NFL and take on a new role. Mike Vrabel, who played for the Patriots from 2001 to 2008, has now become the new linebackers’ coach at the Ohio State University. Vrabel will return to help his alma mater to help a program that is in dire straits with Jim Tressel out as the head coach and interim coach Luke Fickell at the helm.
We all remember the great memories that Vrabel gave Patriots’ fans. He was always a tight end in goal line formations making touchdown receptions in some of the biggest games in franchise history. Whether it is the Super Bowl against Carolina or the Super Bowl against the Eagles, Vrabel stepped up and made the plays.
Just look at the numbers: In addition to the ten touchdowns, he contributed on the defensive side of the football with 48 sacks, 11 interceptions and 13 forced fumbles over the course of his Patriots’ career. However, beyond the numbers, he is a guy who is always associated with winning.
In addition to his three Super Bowl rings, Vrabel was a winner on the collegiate level. As a Buckeye, Vrabel was a two-time All-American (’95-’96) and went 22-3 over the course of his career. However, the only blemish on his resume in Columbus was two losses to their most hated rivals, the Michigan Wolverines.
I’ll give you this guarantee. Vrabel might not affect the program in terms of wins right away, but he will bring character to this program for the first time in a long time. He will make these linebackers bring 110% to every practice and have them thinking about teamwork rather than which guy has the nicest tattoo.
We at Foxboro Blog wish Vrabel the best of luck and we want to say Thank You to him for all the great memories he gave Patriots fans over the course of nearly ten years!
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