Chiefs Mike Vrabel - Page 4

Amnorix · 02-27-2009, 09:38 PM

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.

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.

BradyFTW! · 02-27-2009, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amnorix

errr....sort of, but you seem to be a bit off on the timeline. Parcells "retired" from the Jets. It was Parcells leaving after the SB run in 1996, then 3 years of Pete Carroll, and then Belichick coming in.

Yup, and years of Bobby Grier giving out top-tier contracts that murdered our salary cap, too. The Pats had some good players when he arrived: Ted Johnson, Tedy Bruschi, Willie McGinest, Troy Brown, Ty Law, Lawyer Milloy, etc., but they were by no means a good team.

ChiefRon · 02-27-2009, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ct

Thanks Amnorix, always appreciate your input!

Agreed, the insight kept me from beating my wife. Well, tonight anyway.

Thanks.

txhawk · 02-27-2009, 10:28 PM

The Chiefs are my team, but I'm an NFL guy. And I generally don't find myself looking at our team through rose colored glasses. Keep in mind, whatever this new management group does has to be better than what the former regime did. And that's 20+ years of mediocrity.

Don't forget the bar isn't set that high here.

KcFanInGA · 02-27-2009, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txhawk

I personally don't view Vrabel as a game changer. But what defensive player on this squad is? We have to change the ATTITUDE of this defense. If Vrabel can help do that, he's worth it.

No doubt. He is at minimum better than anything we have seen from our defense in the past season. Coaches and staff can only teach so much. Some people learn better by watching someone do it, we know that from watching kids learn in school for nuts sake! And Vrabel is being brought in to do just that. Now I know opinions are like assholes, everybody has one and they all stink. Just wanted to stick my asshole in this particular discussion. Take that! Take that!

Hammock Parties · 02-27-2009, 10:28 PM

What makes him a good pass rusher, Amno? He always struck me as someone who was very smooth in getting to the quarterback. Made it look easy at times.

RJ · 02-27-2009, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rad

I don't think he has a choice.

Besides, I don't believe he's a "me first" kind of player.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amnorix

He's a consummate professional. I'm sure you're right -- he's not thrilled -- but he'll do his job. Count on it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PHOG

I myself would doubt that....but i've been wrong before...it seems obvious why they're bringing him in to me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BradyFTW!

That's not an unreasonable concern, normally, but it just isn't the kind of player that Vrabel is. Trust the Pats fans on this one- once you've watched him for a while, you'll get why this isn't something that you needed to be worried about.

I hope all of you are correct but I'll believe it when I see it. Unless Vrabel has received some sort of incentives we're not privy to, he can't be happy about this deal.....and rightly so.

Hopefully, Pioli had some discussions with Vrabel before the trade was finalized. But Pioli doesn't seem big on talking to players. Well, ok, maybe he talks to NE players.

txhawk · 02-27-2009, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Claythan

What makes him a good pass rusher, Amno? He always struck me as someone who was very smooth in getting to the quarterback. Made it look easy at times.

Not Amnorix, but watched quite a bit of the pats this year, and can say that He's good at the point of attack, but he's not the guy he was the past couple of years speed wise.

Plus he didn't have as good as a defensive backfield behind him. Sure makes a difference when the dbacks are playing good coverage when it comes to gettin after the qb.

Joe_Camel · 02-27-2009, 10:35 PM

For everyone that is complaining about maybe losing a 6th or 7th round pick in this trade, here is our all pro line up of 6th and 7th rounders since 2000

6 170 Barry Richardson T Clemson
6 182 Kevin Robinson WR Utah
7 210 Brian Johnston DE Gardner-Webb
7 239 Mike Merritt TE Central Florida

6 196 Herb Taylor T Texas Christian
7 231 Michael Allan TE Whitworth

6 186 Tre' Stallings G Mississippi
6 190 Jeff Webb WR San Diego State
7 228 Jarrad Page DB UCLA

6 187 Will Svitek T Stanford
6 199 Khari Long DE Baylor
7 229 James Kilian -- Tulsa
7 238 Jeremy Parquet T Southern Mississippi

6 195 Jeris McIntyre WR Auburn
7 231 Kevin Sampson T Syracuse

6 189 Jimmy Wilkerson DE Oklahoma
7 230 Montique Sharpe DT Wake Forest
7 252 Willie Pile DB Virginia Tech

7 221 Maurice Rodriguez -- Fresno State

6 176 Alex Sulfsted T Miami (Ohio)
7 212 Shaunard Harts DB Boise State
7 243 Terdell Sands DT Tennessee-Chattanooga

6 188 Darnell Alford T Boston College
7 208 Desmond Kitchings WR Furman

txhawk · 02-27-2009, 10:36 PM

Bunch a badasses right there. Bunch. Quite a few.

bdeg · 02-27-2009, 10:37 PM

Thanks Amnorix.
I've heard he can play all positions but is usually an OLB. So you think with loss of speed he may play ILB for us or is he still better on the outside? We need guys outside so that's my guess.

I'm downloading chiefs vs patriots right now, going to take a closer look. I kinda want to watch it tonight after I get back from the bars, but on a laptop with no sound that's probably not going to be that enjoyable.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 02-27-2009, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe_Camel

For everyone that is complaining about maybe losing a 6th or 7th round pick in this trade, here is our all pro line up of 6th and 7th rounders since 2000

6 170 Barry Richardson T Clemson
6 182 Kevin Robinson WR Utah
7 210 Brian Johnston DE Gardner-Webb
7 239 Mike Merritt TE Central Florida

6 196 Herb Taylor T Texas Christian
7 231 Michael Allan TE Whitworth

6 186 Tre' Stallings G Mississippi
6 190 Jeff Webb WR San Diego State
7 228 Jarrad Page DB UCLA

6 187 Will Svitek T Stanford
6 199 Khari Long DE Baylor
7 229 James Kilian -- Tulsa
7 238 Jeremy Parquet T Southern Mississippi

6 195 Jeris McIntyre WR Auburn
7 231 Kevin Sampson T Syracuse

6 189 Jimmy Wilkerson DE Oklahoma
7 230 Montique Sharpe DT Wake Forest
7 252 Willie Pile DB Virginia Tech

7 221 Maurice Rodriguez -- Fresno State

6 176 Alex Sulfsted T Miami (Ohio)
7 212 Shaunard Harts DB Boise State
7 243 Terdell Sands DT Tennessee-Chattanooga

6 188 Darnell Alford T Boston College
7 208 Desmond Kitchings WR Furman

If Carl Peterson was still running our drafts, you'd have a point.

The guy that IS running our draft has plucked some serviceable players out of the late rounds.

Antwan Harris
David Givens
Tully Banta-Cain
Dan Koppen
Matt Cassel

And some schmuck named Tom Brady.

ChiefRon · 02-27-2009, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe_Camel

For everyone that is complaining about maybe losing a 6th or 7th round pick in this trade, here is our all pro line up of 6th and 7th rounders since 2000

6 170 Barry Richardson T Clemson
6 182 Kevin Robinson WR Utah
7 210 Brian Johnston DE Gardner-Webb
7 239 Mike Merritt TE Central Florida

6 196 Herb Taylor T Texas Christian
7 231 Michael Allan TE Whitworth

6 186 Tre' Stallings G Mississippi
6 190 Jeff Webb WR San Diego State
7 228 Jarrad Page DB UCLA

6 187 Will Svitek T Stanford
6 199 Khari Long DE Baylor
7 229 James Kilian -- Tulsa
7 238 Jeremy Parquet T Southern Mississippi

6 195 Jeris McIntyre WR Auburn
7 231 Kevin Sampson T Syracuse

6 189 Jimmy Wilkerson DE Oklahoma
7 230 Montique Sharpe DT Wake Forest
7 252 Willie Pile DB Virginia Tech

7 221 Maurice Rodriguez -- Fresno State

6 176 Alex Sulfsted T Miami (Ohio)
7 212 Shaunard Harts DB Boise State
7 243 Terdell Sands DT Tennessee-Chattanooga

6 188 Darnell Alford T Boston College
7 208 Desmond Kitchings WR Furman

Again, where does this come from, that it was a 6th or 7th? How do we know?

txhawk · 02-27-2009, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

If Carl Peterson was still running our drafts, you'd have a point.

The guy that IS running our draft has plucked some serviceable players out of the late rounds.

Antwan Harris
David Givens
Tully Banta-Cain
Dan Koppen
Matt Cassel

And some schmuck named Tom Brady.

The Tom Brady notion is spot on. But it's kinda one of those once in a lifetime kinda things don't you think.

I'm not naive enough to expect us to find our Tom Brady in the 6th or 7th round.

Joe_Camel · 02-27-2009, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

If Carl Peterson was still running our drafts, you'd have a point.

The guy that IS running our draft has plucked some serviceable players out of the late rounds.

Antwan Harris
David Givens
Tully Banta-Cain
Dan Koppen
Matt Cassel

And some schmuck named Tom Brady.

Then why can't you trust his judgement?

rad · 02-27-2009, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

If Carl Peterson was still running our drafts, you'd have a point.

The guy that IS running our draft has plucked some serviceable players out of the late rounds.

Antwan Harris
David Givens
Tully Banta-Cain
Dan Koppen
Matt Cassel

And some schmuck named Tom Brady.

No way you just said that.....

02-27-2009, 09:38 PM
Amnorix In BB I trust Join Date: May 2003 Location: Boston, Mass. Casino cash: $10029808	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. 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.
Posts: 43,125

02-27-2009, 10:28 PM	#48
txhawk Starter Join Date: May 2004 Casino cash: $10006825	The Chiefs are my team, but I'm an NFL guy. And I generally don't find myself looking at our team through rose colored glasses. Keep in mind, whatever this new management group does has to be better than what the former regime did. And that's 20+ years of mediocrity. Don't forget the bar isn't set that high here.
Posts: 111

02-27-2009, 10:28 PM	#50
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $790478	What makes him a good pass rusher, Amno? He always struck me as someone who was very smooth in getting to the quarterback. Made it look easy at times. __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 297,459

02-27-2009, 10:35 PM	#53
Joe_Camel Starter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Murray, Kentucky Casino cash: $9934747	For everyone that is complaining about maybe losing a 6th or 7th round pick in this trade, here is our all pro line up of 6th and 7th rounders since 2000 6 170 Barry Richardson T Clemson 6 182 Kevin Robinson WR Utah 7 210 Brian Johnston DE Gardner-Webb 7 239 Mike Merritt TE Central Florida 6 196 Herb Taylor T Texas Christian 7 231 Michael Allan TE Whitworth 6 186 Tre' Stallings G Mississippi 6 190 Jeff Webb WR San Diego State 7 228 Jarrad Page DB UCLA 6 187 Will Svitek T Stanford 6 199 Khari Long DE Baylor 7 229 James Kilian -- Tulsa 7 238 Jeremy Parquet T Southern Mississippi 6 195 Jeris McIntyre WR Auburn 7 231 Kevin Sampson T Syracuse 6 189 Jimmy Wilkerson DE Oklahoma 7 230 Montique Sharpe DT Wake Forest 7 252 Willie Pile DB Virginia Tech 7 221 Maurice Rodriguez -- Fresno State 6 176 Alex Sulfsted T Miami (Ohio) 7 212 Shaunard Harts DB Boise State 7 243 Terdell Sands DT Tennessee-Chattanooga 6 188 Darnell Alford T Boston College 7 208 Desmond Kitchings WR Furman
Posts: 73

02-27-2009, 10:36 PM	#54
txhawk Starter Join Date: May 2004 Casino cash: $10006825	Bunch a badasses right there. Bunch. Quite a few.
Posts: 111

02-27-2009, 10:37 PM	#55
bdeg Veteran Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: iowa Casino cash: $10004900	Thanks Amnorix. I've heard he can play all positions but is usually an OLB. So you think with loss of speed he may play ILB for us or is he still better on the outside? We need guys outside so that's my guess. I'm downloading chiefs vs patriots right now, going to take a closer look. I kinda want to watch it tonight after I get back from the bars, but on a laptop with no sound that's probably not going to be that enjoyable.
Posts: 2,987