New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel wasn’t mad about how the backups carried out within the group’s 42-10 preseason loss to the New York Giants. He was offended that somebody had leaked the information that huge receiver Ja’Lynn Polk would want season-ending shoulder surgical procedure.
When requested if he had something so as to add to the stories that Polk would miss the season, Vrabel did not give the media something except for his unvarnished emotions. “I would like to search out out the place a few of these [reports] come from. A few of these rats round right here. So, we’ll determine that out,” he added in a information convention on Thursday.
Coaches and reporters are hardly the perfect of associates on a superb day. Usually, a coach will deflect if they do not need to add gas to a report the group hasn’t made official, however normally they will not deflect and promise to get the “rats” offering this info.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz broke the information forward of the Patriots’ preseason finale against the Giants. Based on Schultz, the choice for Polk to bear surgical procedure was made to make sure the 2024 second-round decide can be wholesome for the 2026 season.
Polk handled well being points all through the offseason. It was throughout the second quarter of New England’s preseason opener in opposition to the Washington Commanders that he took a nasty hit on a one-yard run, resulting in the shoulder harm that can sideline him for 2025.
Final season, Polk had a troublesome rookie debut, catching simply 12 receptions for 87 yards and recording two touchdowns. The hope for 2025 was that he might redeem himself and grow to be a dependable sufficient goal for second-year quarterback Drake Maye. Expectations for Maye are a lot larger now with the return of Tom Brady’s outdated offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels. With out Polk to run routes, although, the already-thin huge receiver room is almost devoid of expertise behind veteran receiver Stefon Diggs.
The Patriots signed Diggs to a three-year, $69 million contract within the offseason. Nevertheless, Diggs has introduced some undesirable consideration to the group via his offseason antics and is recovering from a torn ACL that ended his time with the Houston Texans.
Whereas Patriot followers ought to really feel some hope within the path of the group underneath Vrabel — a former defensive star for New England throughout the dynasty years — this roster remains to be within the midst of a rebuild. And with such a troubled roster, losses might pile up, and the group’s relationship with the media might worsen if one other season looks like a waste.
So, Vrabel being upset by Polk’s harm is truthful, however what would not really feel truthful is to single out Patriots employees and gamers who’re doubtlessly speaking to reporters as hostile to the group. It is maybe not stunning that Vrabel is keen to voice his frustrations, as he is proven no concern when breaking up practice scrums. Nonetheless, it is the job of any journalist to construct relationships with employees and group members to realize dependable sources who will help them precisely report the information.
Whereas the “rats” moniker for these within the constructing speaking to NFL insiders and the New England sports activities media might be swallowed up by all the opposite headlines as Week 1 nears, it is notable that Vrabel’s time as head coach in New England is already off to a contentious begin.
