Optimism is high in Patriots Nation following Monday’s half-introductory press conference, half-homecoming for new head coach Mike Vrabel.
Vrabel, a three-time Super Bowl champ with New England, vowed to remove “entitlement” from the locker room and promised a more strict program for the Patriots as he takes over following a dismal 4-13 season.
Not only is there hope among fans in Vrabel’s ability to turn things around in Foxboro, but also among former Patriots players. One example is Hall of Fame cornerback Ty Law, who played with the new head coach during those Super Bowl-winning seasons in the 2000s.
“I feel great about it,” Law said in his weekly Tuesday appearance on WEEI’s The Greg Hill Show. Listen to the full interview above.
“I’m still a little disappointed for Jerod [Mayo]. I knew we had to move on. But, man, [Vrabel] is the absolute guy that we need in the building,” Law said.
Law emphasized how Vrabel’s experience in New England and his experience as a head coach with the Tennessee Titans from 2018-23 is the perfect mix for the Patriots.
“He's been there. He has a head coaching resume already. I don’t even know why they let him go [to Tennessee] in the first place, but, hey, that’s kudos for the Patriots. We going to be all right, we going to be all right,” Law said.
While Law expects the Patriots to return to championship contention under Vrabel, he told Patriots fans not to expect a complete turnaround in one season.
“I say you still got to give him time. I hope nobody's out there thinking Super Bowl right off the rip. That ain't happening. It ain’t happening,” Law said.
“But I think Vrabel is going to be the guy to lead the charge and create the culture that's missing around here,” he continued.
In Law’s eyes, getting this 4-13 team to the playoffs may still take a while.
“I say by year three, we’re in the playoffs,” Law said.
“You’ve got to think [Vrabel] already came in. Now, he has a great prospect as a quarterback, and the foundation is there. Drake Maye has shown that he can play. Now, it's a little too early. We can't say that’s the next coming of a great quarterback, but he played great ball for a rookie, and I always emphasize, for a rookie. We're going to see how he progresses into next year,” he continued.
Even though Vrabel is a former player, Law says he’ll have a less friendly attitude in his locker room than what Mayo had this season.
“Jerod can relate to them, but he's a first-time head coach. Yeah, he was a player, and he was a good player, that’s right. But Mike Vrabel will bring something different,” Law said.
Vrabel’s reputation as a tough coach has to be part of why the Patriots hired him, given the many off-the-field gaffes from players this year in New England, like calling out fans for booing or asking for more playing time on social media.
“I think it's going to be good for the locker room, but the drastic change is going to come, and I am looking forward to who’s going to be that example. You’ve got to make an example out of somebody. I mean, I don't want to make light of nobody's job, but if you ain't getting it done, man, that's the old Bill Parcells way. He'll get you out of there, Law said.
“I think Mike Vrabel’s going to get people out of there that does not fit the culture or does not want to be a part of the culture he's trying to build.”