Mike Vrabel Getting Good Reviews One Year Into Chiefs Career

by Joel Thorman on May 22, 2010 5:21 PM CDT in 2010 Kansas City Chiefs Season

The Chiefs brought Mike Vrabel over from New England in the Matt Cassel trade and quickly pointed out his leadership skills as part of the Mike Vrabel package.

Because of the high praise from Chiefs management, it was strange to see Vrabel stay away from workouts last year. He didn't even draw the ire of Todd Haley. The coach said last year he was in contact with Vrabel throughout the offseason so he wasn't worried about his absence.

Fast forward a year later and Vrabel is attending OTAs -- something he didn't do with the Chiefs last year but did do the previous seven seasons in New England.

Vrabel's decision to attend OTAs has drawn some praise from the Chiefs head coach.

"We've made a big jump from this year to last year and I think Mike -- who's been around some great teams -- that makes you feel good as the head coach that you have a guy like that here and on board like the rest of the guys," Haley said on the Jim Rome Show this week .

"We've had every guy here working hard for the last few months. We finally got to get into some football here in the last week. I really feel that we've made progress. And I'm excited about it. And when you hear someone like Mike verbalize that, as a coach, it makes you feel good."

And the new Chiefs have already taken notice of Vrabel. Eric Berry was asked who the leader of the defense was and predictably responded, "I've been looking up to the guys that have already played," Berry began, "especially Mike Vrabel.

"He knows the defense. He knows all the calls. He's one of those guys that pretty much quarterbacks everything from the defensive side of the ball. So, it's always pretty cool to have a guy like him on your side."

For Vrabel, he says showing up to things like the OTAs is part of the deal and last year's absence was a "totally different situation."

"I chose to re-sign back here," he said. "It was something I wanted to do. So, with that comes going to OTAs and coming to minicamp. It wasn't even a question of showing up. It was what I did in New England and it's what I'll do now. I workout at my home and then come here for the OTAs."

It's nice to hear that he considers that part of the whole package, even though the workouts are voluntary. It's especially nice to hear in light of recent "hold-outs" that seem silly.

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Comments

I wish Vrabel was about 10 years younger.

Left Tackle is Brandon Albert's natural position.

by Idahochief on May 22, 2010 5:43 PM CDT reply actions

SO does he

and me too

Rule 49. " Think and talk positive football off the field." Hank Stram

by Steve_Chiefs on May 22, 2010 5:57 PM CDT up reply actions

LOL Steve

I would guees most people on this site would like to be 10 years younger :-)

我相信皮欧利, 加油酋长!!!

by BeijingKCfan on May 22, 2010 9:17 PM CDT up reply actions

Nah not me.....I like the aching muscles and stiff joints every morning.

I also don’t miss being broke most of the time 10 years ago.

Opinions are like A--holes, everyones got one.

by aPacificChief on May 23, 2010 3:27 AM CDT up reply actions

It's good to have him as part of this team

Even though he’s only been here one forced year, he took his leadership role without thinkin twice. It’s great to have the younger players looking up to someone. I wish DJ would follow him more…

by SoCalChief17 on May 22, 2010 6:12 PM CDT reply actions

chiefs linebackers

I hope that DJ, Sheff, and Greenwood all take notes and start listening to him. The more highlights I see of Sheff makes me more and more excited that we drafted him. He could be an amazing OLB to replace Vrabel when he retires. Greenwood, well let me tell you guys something. My bro-in-law lives in Toronto and he eimailed me some highlights of him. Needless to say with the right coaching and leadership this young man has the opportunity to be just as good as Willis or better. He has a great LB vision and dominates the middle of the field. He could be our anchor in the middle for years to come. We might start seeing a linebacking corp that rivals Lanier, Bell, and Lynch from the 60’s and 70’s.

by red_manwalkin83 on May 22, 2010 6:47 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

The most telling statement -

“I chose to re-sign back here,” he said. “It was something I wanted to do.” He CHOSE the CHIEFS this year. I love that. His leadership will be a huge benefit to our defense.

by TXChiefan on May 22, 2010 7:29 PM CDT reply actions

he also said

at his age, he’s lucky to have a job…..the Chiefs are lucky to have a defensive leader, IMO.

and the Chiefs put the HAMMER DOWN!!!!

by reedeasy on May 22, 2010 8:43 PM CDT up reply actions

I think Vrabel will have a better year.

Too many things will contirbute to him having a much better season. One more year in the defense means the guys around him will be more comfortable in the system which will allow him to focus less on them and compensating for them and more to play his own game. He will also have to do less coaching and again better focus on his tasks. Also he should get spelled more with hopefully Studebaker stepping up and playing more plays. And last but not least Tyson Jackson, who plays in front of him, is no longer a rookie and should start making strides like Dorsey last year.

"Success is never ending, failure is never final."

by GenericBrand on May 22, 2010 7:33 PM CDT reply actions

The sudden appearence of Crennel will also help.

Here’s to a better Defense in 2010!

Opinions are like A--holes, everyones got one.

by aPacificChief on May 23, 2010 3:30 AM CDT up reply actions

Thanks, Vrabel

by crackpipe on May 22, 2010 7:39 PM CDT reply actions

So, I guess his absence last year didn't have much to do with union duties.

That’s not how you be a leader, saying that you’ll give 100% only when YOU chose the situation. Not many people are lucky enough to pick their own lot very often. A leader takes whatever situation he’s got, good or bad, and makes the absolute most out of it. To do anything else, well, I think the technical term for that is “sulk.”

On the other hand…he did a great job when he did show up. He played hard and made sure other people played hard. And thank goodness he did, with Zach Thomas going out. That tells me he loves the game, so he does what comes natural once he actually starts practicing and playing. That makes him a good player. But in the grownup world, a good leader has to turn that shit on even when he doesn’t particularly feel like it.

The path to Victory is made of losers.

by Brsrkr on May 22, 2010 9:17 PM CDT reply actions

Mike is a class act

by rage_kage on May 23, 2010 5:57 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

Leader

Man that guy sounds like a leader to me. Since he seems to be the Captain of the D I wonder if moving him to ILB and moving Williams out side would make our D better?

by Mostate44 on May 23, 2010 10:40 AM CDT reply actions