News Patriots Team Notes

[New England Patriots]

Mike Vrabel relying on ultra-experienced assistant in Super Bowl prep

Including head coaches, coordinators and assistants of all kind, there are around 800 coaches in the NFL right now. Not one of them has more Super Bowl experience than Josh McDaniels: next Sunday, the New England Patriots’ offensive coordinator will coach in his 10th NFL title game.

Considering his history, it is no surprise that head coach Mike Vrabel is using him as a resource. McDaniels has been through the ordeal several times, and knows the potential challenges of the two-week preparation as well as anybody.

“There’s a lot of preparation,” Vrabel said earlier this week. “I think you want to try to avoid doing too much too early. And then also, how do you keep their attention next week, and focused and locked in? So, I think we have a good balance.

“Coaches have been a good resource. Josh has been a good resource. Obviously, he’s coached in these with the extended break. So, there’s just trying to find that sweet spot of doing enough here, but then also still having stuff out there that will keep them engaged.”

McDaniels was part of all nine of the Patriots’ Super Bowl appearances during the Brady-Belichick dynasty, earning six rings along the way. Next week, he will coach in his first big game under Vrabel after both returned to Foxborough during the offseason.

But while Vrabel himself has been part of four Super Bowls during his time as a player, his coaching career so far has never brought him past the championship round. With that hurdle cleared last Sunday in a 10-7 win over the Denver Broncos, he is now only 10 days away from following the footsteps of his former head coach, Bill Belichick.

How Vrabel will conduct preparation remains to be seen, but the Patriots are planning to stick to their regular routine as well as possible. The only difference is that the first two practices this week will be followed by a send-off rally at Gillette Stadium and subsequent flight to Santa Clara for a matchup with the Seattle Seahawks

“We’ll practice Thursday and Friday,” Vrabel said about his team’s schedule. “Give them an opportunity to take a day off on Saturday, and then travel Sunday. Get some movement in, probably light movement back in the weight room before we travel. And then Monday will be like a bonus day, which we’ve used for coming off of a bye week to kind of do some drills and just some movement. And then Tuesday off. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, just try to keep it like a normal week.”

Source: https://www.patspulpit.com/new-engl...s-mike-vrabel-super-bowl-preparation-seahawks

 

[New England Patriots]

Patriots vs. Seahawks Thursday injury report: Three sidelined, Drake Maye limited

As the New England Patriots returned to practice inside the WIN Waste Innovations Field House, three stayed sidelined.

Offensive tackle Thayer Munford Jr, outside linebacker Harold Landry III and inside linebacker Robert Spillane all sat out Thursday’s Super Bowl LX work on the Seattle Seahawks. But quarterback Drake Maye was officially on hand as a limited participant after being projected to that degree the afternoon prior.

“Feel good. Got out there, moving around a good bit today,” Maye told reporters of his right shoulder injury. “This is the game you dream of playing. So, looking forward to getting out there. Can’t wait to play in the Super Bowl.”

Here’s the second injury report heading into the Feb. 8 meeting at Levi’s Stadium.

DID NOT PARTICIPATE​

Patriots​

• OT Thayer Munford Jr. (knee, illness)
• LB Harold Landry III (knee)
• LB Robert Spillane (ankle)

Seahawks​

• TE Eric Saubert (hamstring)
• OT Charles Cross (foot)
• OT Amari Kight (knee)

An extension of the offensive line, Munford remained an eligible reporter in the AFC Championship Game. But lingering injuries on the defensive side of the ball remain at the forefront for the Patriots. After finishing the regular season atop the Patriots with 8.5 sacks, 19 quarterback hits and tied for the lead with 10 tackles for loss, Landry did not practice leading up to the Mile High matchup. The edge starter was ruled out on the final injury report of last week due to a knee injury that’s lingered. And Spillane, a fellow March arrival who missed four games with an ankle injury before returning for the postseason, saw 13 defensive snaps against the Denver Broncos. An ankle injury left him questionable to return. But the off-the-ball linebacker did not take back the green dot.

LIMITED PARTICIPATION​

Patriots​

• QB Drake Maye (right shoulder)
• RB Terrell Jennings (concussion protocol, hamstring — IR return)
• WR Mack Hollins (abdomen)
• TE Hunter Henry (not injury related — rest)
• OT Morgan Moses (not injury related — rest)

Seahawks​

• QB Sam Darnold (oblique)
• FB Brady Russell (hand)
• FB Robbie Ouzts (neck)
• WR Jake Bobo (hand)
• OT Josh Jones (ankle, knee)
• LB Ernest Jones IV (chest)
• LB Drake Thomas (shoulder)
• S Julian Love (shoulder)

New England’s quarterbacks did not throw during the portion of Thursday’s practice open to the media. But Maye shared afterward that the ball did indeed see the air, and head coach Mike Vrabel said that there was “not much” concern over the 23-year-old’s availability. Maye has been sacked 15 times in the playoffs. His most recent start spanned 86 passing yards, 65 rushing yards and one touchdown on a QB draw.

FULL PARTICIPATION​

Patriots​

• DT Joshua Farmer (hamstring — IR return)

Seahawks​

• LB Chazz Surratt (ankle — IR return)

The 21-day practice window remains open for the aforementioned Jennings, who was limited with a hamstring on Thursday, as well as a member of New England’s 2025 draft class. Farmer had gone on injured reserve in December due to a hamstring injury of his own. The rookie defensive tackle also remains eligible for activation back to the 53-man roster and continued as a full participant.

Source: https://www.patspulpit.com/new-engl...wks-thursday-injury-report-drake-maye-limited