The New England Patriots are preparing for a potentially make or break training camp. This officially began a new regime under new head coach Mike Vrabel. The whole team is excited and prepared to step up. Perhaps the biggest under-the-radar storyline is the return of first-year DC Terrell Williams, who missed all of Fall camp after an alarming spring health scare. Whenever Williams does finally join the team, it’ll be for training camp. This will undoubtedly transform the atmosphere of the coaching staff, most notably freeing up former assistant Zak Kuhr from his Cooking-with-Zak nightmares.
Even new head coach Mike Vrabel, who took over for the recently departed Bill O’Brien this season, said that he was eager to see Williams return. “He will be here soon and [we’re] excited about that,” said Vrabel. Williams’ arrival is expected to improve the defensive scheme, identity and culture of the team. His unexpected leave of absence during the spring left a gap. As a result, Kuhr stepped into Williams’ in-person duties, and while he kept his head above water, the workload was extremely taxing.
It’s training camp time and Williams can’t wait to put his philosophies of coaching and development on display. What exactly his approach will look like is still coming into focus. The Patriots’ camp will not only focus on players adapting to new strategies but on building a cohesive environment under Vrabel’s leadership.
Aside from the coaching changes, the team recently added Jared Wilson, a third-round pick of last year’s draft. Wilson has already accepted an invitation to collaborate from Ben Jones, the former NFL offensive lineman and University of Georgia bulldog. Jones continues to mentor and inspire youth on and off the field, returning to his alma mater every spring and summer to offer a helping hand. His work with Wilson isn’t just for image’s sake though, he has a deeper commitment to helping nurture and develop the next generation of players.
Williams’ return may not be huge in the grand scheme of things, but for Williams personally and for the entire coaching staff it is. Per Mike Reiss, Williams’ situation is still one of the best stories going into training camp. The excitement for his return is tangible, as players and fans alike can’t wait to see what he draws up on the field.
Christian Gonzalez very well could be an ideal future candidate to become the team’s highest-ranked player at his position. In discussions of him, Williams is missing. ESPN Analytics gives the Buffalo Bills the highest odds of any team to win their division this year. This creates a third layer of competitiveness for the Patriots as they go about forming their roster.
As training camp nears, Vrabel is keenly aware that conditioning is paramount, so he zeroes in on intense physical regimentation. He adds that we should focus on mental grit. His overall coaching philosophy goes beyond just being tough and barking orders, rather making players understand the thought process behind drills and exercises. Ben Jones noted that Vrabel encourages players to ask questions about their training sessions and how those relate to achieving their goals.
“His whole goal is to win games, not to win camp,” – Ben Jones
Vrabel’s leadership style looks to have a greater focus on building a winning culture in the long run rather than getting immediate wins. He aims to develop a team that can withstand the rigors of an 18-week season rather than simply establishing dominance during camp.
We all know that coaching dynamics can be complicated and sometimes messy. Even with the return of Williams, his methods still cause an atmosphere of confusion. All this said, there are still key aspects observers don’t understand about how Williams will differ from his predecessor. They’re understandably interested in how he’ll coordinate with his expectations, too — that’s Mike Vrabel, Mr.
The return of Terrell Williams should help sort out the defensive plan as well as the identity and attitude of this team. Both of them are committed to establishing an atmosphere that allows for player success. Their work centers on integrating physical and mental wellness.
As training camp gets underway though, all eyes will be on the practice field. There, exciting new relationships and strategies — or perhaps old ones rediscovered — will form. The buzz for the Patriots’ new era under Vrabel only grows with each passing day, as New Englanders dream about the possibilities to come.
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