New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel wasn’t mad about how the backups carried out within the staff’s 42-10 preseason loss to the New York Giants. He was offended that somebody had leaked the information that broad receiver Ja’Lynn Polk would wish season-ending shoulder surgical procedure.
When requested if he had something so as to add to the studies that Polk would miss the season, Vrabel did not give the media something except for his unvarnished emotions. “I would like to search out out the place a few of these [reports] come from. A few of these rats round right here. So, we’ll determine that out,” he added in a information convention on Thursday.
Coaches and reporters are hardly the most effective of buddies on an excellent day. Usually, a coach will deflect if they do not wish to add gasoline to a report the staff hasn’t made official, however often they will not deflect and promise to get the “rats” offering this info.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz broke the information forward of the Patriots’ preseason finale against the Giants. In response to Schultz, the choice for Polk to bear surgical procedure was made to make sure the 2024 second-round choose can be wholesome for the 2026 season.
Polk handled well being points all through the offseason. It was through the second quarter of New England’s preseason opener towards the Washington Commanders that he took a nasty hit on a one-yard run, resulting in the shoulder damage that can sideline him for 2025.
Final season, Polk had a troublesome rookie debut, catching simply 12 receptions for 87 yards and recording two touchdowns. The hope for 2025 was that he may redeem himself and turn into a dependable sufficient goal for second-year quarterback Drake Maye. Expectations for Maye are a lot increased now with the return of Tom Brady’s previous offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels. With out Polk to run routes, although, the already-thin broad receiver room is sort of devoid of expertise behind veteran receiver Stefon Diggs.
The Patriots signed Diggs to a three-year, $69 million contract within the offseason. Nonetheless, Diggs has introduced some undesirable consideration to the staff by way of his offseason antics and is recovering from a torn ACL that ended his time with the Houston Texans.
Whereas Patriot followers ought to really feel some hope within the path of the staff underneath Vrabel — a former defensive star for New England through the dynasty years — this roster remains to be within the midst of a rebuild. And with such a troubled roster, losses could pile up, and the staff’s relationship with the media may worsen if one other season looks like a waste.
So, Vrabel being upset by Polk’s damage is truthful, however what does not really feel truthful is to single out Patriots employees and gamers who’re probably speaking to reporters as hostile to the group. It is maybe not shocking that Vrabel is prepared to voice his frustrations, as he is proven no worry when breaking up practice scrums. Nonetheless, it is the job of any journalist to construct relationships with employees and staff members to achieve dependable sources who might help them precisely report the information.
Whereas the “rats” moniker for these within the constructing speaking to NFL insiders and the New England sports activities media will likely be swallowed up by all the opposite headlines as Week 1 nears, it is notable that Vrabel’s time as head coach in New England is already off to a contentious begin.
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