Almost three weeks ago against the Oakland Raiders, LB Andy Studebaker became a lot more important to the Kansas City Chiefs. With about a little over eight minutes to go in the third quarter, starting OLB Mike Vrabel went down with a knee injury causing Studebaker to quickly become a major part of the defense.
After that game, Studebaker credited Vrabel with "talking me through situations, helping me out, making sure I was on the top of my game."
In an interview the Pantagraph, a Bloomington, IL area newspaper, Studebaker again sung Vrabel's praises for taking the time to help him out.
"He definitely does not have to do that," Studebaker said. "I was really impressed that a guy who has won three Super Bowl rings would make time for a second-year player and teach him the ropes."
Vrabel "coached me up", Studebaker said. I think this is the behind-the-scenes stuff we don't see that made Haley and the coaches excited to land Vrabel. Words like "leader" and "professional" are often associated with Vrabel and I think this is an example of why.
Studebaker said that Vrabel, along with head coach Todd Haley, that any praise for his two interception performance two weeks ago is "not a license to relax."
This weekend, Vrabel could return to the lineup which would put an end to Studebaker the starter. and a return to Studebaker the special teamer.
"You will not hear any complaints from this corner."