Mike Vrabel
 

As I did when Pioli came over, I'll post a separate thread because I think it's fair to say that I might have just a little more knowledge about the guy than most on here. :D

What you guys have traded for is a very smart, team-driven, reliable and consistent performer able to play both inside and outside linebacker in the 3-4, with championship credentials and very good leadership skills.

In my opinion, the reasons that the Chiefs have made this trade are as follows:

1. Veteran leadership. The Chiefs are VERY young. Rather than yet another young draft pick player, the Chiefs have decided that even though he is on the downside of his career and will only play for another year or two, it is important to bring in someone who can show the younger players HOW to practice, HOW to review film, HOW to prepare for games and be coachable, and HOW to play 3-4 linebacker.

2. Defensive flexibility. Vrabel can play both inside and outside in the 3-4 with relatively equal facility. A solid performer, he can set the edge, rush the passer and play hardnosed in the middle.

3. Position flexibility. In addition to his inside/outside talents in the 3-4, he also plays TE in goal line situations, showing the rest of the team that he is able and willing to do WHATEVER the coaches ask to help the team win.

He is, of course, on the downside of his career. Last year there was a very noticeable dropoff in his ability to make impact plays. Whereas in years gone by he stood out on the field for making key plays, last year he wasn't very noticeable. That's good in that you didn't often look at him as having screwed something up, but it's bad in that he wasn't making the strip-sacks that had earned him the love of Patriots fans.

Many here denigrate what he will bring ON the field, and wonder why the Chiefs are giving up anything for him. What you need to understand is that as much as they want what he brings on the field, what they are really bringing him here for is what he brings OFF the field. That is what makes him valuable to a ridiculously young, inexperienced Chiefs team.

And when he talks, those young guys will listen. His three rings ensure that. He will also help the coaches enforce their ways inside the locker room, and get the Chiefs players moving and operating in the right direction.

Though Pats fans knew his time was drawing near, we basically feel like there's been a death in teh family. Vrabel was universally loved and respected by Patriots fans, and we're very sad to see him go.

Haven't you heard? He's a no talent scrub, who adds nothing to our stellar defense. We'd much rather have the late round pick for that QBOTF.

Thanks for the feedback. Seems most Pats fans echo most of this.

The important thing here
is that the Chiefs Defense
gets another bel on it

Good stuff.

You better have a dandy of a post ready if the Cassel trade happens.

Thanks.

Hamas would rather eat the dried shit out of Chewbacca's ass fur than give up any pick for Mike Vrabel.

I don't care what kind of a tutor/role model Vrabel may be, that is what coaches are for. I'm ****ing pissed that we traded for an old man. Even if it was a 7th round pick, it was too much. This trade sucks ass.

I wonder if Pioli is willing to meet with him...?

Yeah. I don't think I've been happy about one single addition to this team since Pioli was hired. I just hope I'm dead ****in wrong.

I'm not pissed we brought him in, I'm pissed we gave up a draft pick for an aging veteran who's only got a year or two left in him.

Face it: the mentor schooled the tutor in this deal.

And who says you weren't going to cut him anyway?

Then you're a fool.

The chances that a 6th or 7th pick happens to be anything other than a useless scrub who either doesn't make the team or is cut after a year or three on the practice squad is very high.

Your defense sucks, and your team is barely older than the team at KU. You don't need to have someone teach them how to play in the NFL? You don't want veteran leadership? You don't need a clubhouse enforcer?

And last but not least, you don't seem to have any understanding of the value of PLAYERS that take what the coaches want the players to do, and ENFORCE it in the locker room.

Riddle me this -- WTF incentive does Vrabel have to sign with the Chiefs all else being equal? Oh no -- he'd be with a potential contender if he had a choice, rest assured. Unless you offered alot more money.

Well, I did like (not love) the selection of Haley but I am so fundamentally opposed trading for players and this is exponentially compounded in my mind thinking about how high our draft picks are this year and the players we are talking about. Vrabel? He's as old as the hills. Cassel? What has he proven? And I am pissed that we are gifting our valuable picks to the most talented team, not only in the league, but in our conference.

FWIW, when Pioli was hired in New England, a bunch of people freaked out about the moves that he was making then, too. Eventually you'll realize that he's really good at what he does and, if you're smart, you'll stop complaining and realize that you're lucky to have a top-tier exec in charge. He's a large part of the reason why the Pats went from 5-11 to Super Bowl champs in one year.