Head Coach Mike Vrabel 10/12: "We'll have to clean up a lot of things, but certainly great to go on the road and get a win"

SPEAKER_1 (0:00)

How are you?

SPEAKER_2 (0:01)

What impressed you about Patriots performance?

Mike Vrabel (0:03)

Well, I just kept battling. You know, none of it was perfect today, and, you know, give them a lot of credit.

They competed, they answered. But, you know, we extended plays and made some huge plays down the field and, you know, glimpses of good football. And, you know, we'll have to clean up a lot of things, but certainly great to go on a road and be able to get a win.

SPEAKER_4 (0:27)

What was your understanding of the offensive passing experience?

Mike Vrabel (0:32)

I don't really have much explanation. You know, they see something and, you know, we'll continue to play aggressive and, you know, have to clean some of the penalties up. But, you know, those live ball fouls that we talked about, you know, in that situation, we want to be really aggressive. We're taking a shot, long yardage, and, you know, we got a great punt, you know, from Bryce after that. So, we'll remain aggressive, and I want our players to be competitive, and, you know, certainly that was what they felt like they saw.

SPEAKER_1 (1:04)

Initial thoughts on Huck's key conflict today?

Mike Vrabel (1:09)

I mean, I think he factored, and certainly came up huge at the end. You know, I think he's just gotten better, and just, like, his demeanor is never too up, you know, I mean, never too down, and just, you know, sometimes the ball finds him, and he makes the plays, and when it doesn't, he just kind of understands that it just wasn't his snap. And then to be there at the end there, to take a good hit and score, and then to come up with a huge play there at the end, it really went in there and won the game for us on a third down. So, I think you see the confidence that Drake has with him, his play strength and his ability to go frame the football in a big situation. So, I hope he can enjoy this for a few minutes with his family or anybody that was down around here, and just a big play for him.

SPEAKER_4 (2:00)

Two replay reviews challenges helped you seal the win. First the fumble and then the having him ruled in bounds allowed you to just take three days. Were you confident ahead of time on both of those?

Mike Vrabel (2:10)

I don't think you ever really know nowadays, I really don't. Shetch does a fantastic job and just trying to figure it out how they're going to see it. Sometimes they see it the way we do, sometimes they don't.

They're just trying to be as smart as we possibly can, and we felt like those were plays that could help us.

SPEAKER_5 (2:33)

Mike, you mentioned having some things to clean up.

SPEAKER_1 (2:35)

Any early thoughts on why the running game didn't get going?

Mike Vrabel (2:39)

Probably one guy away, like always. But had some positive runs, and we'll keep practicing it, and we'll keep working it.

SPEAKER_1 (2:49)

Mike, what does it say about Drake's saturation and your confidence in him, that the game on the line there, that third and 11 obvious passing situation, you guys are comfortable with the ball as it is?

Mike Vrabel (2:59)

I mean, the whole, you know, being the protection, the operation, and him knowing where he wants to go with it, and that timing, and putting it in a spot where KB could make a play.

SPEAKER_5 (3:08)

How much is that a teachable win? You know, the young team getting out of here with a win, plenty to work on, but just finding a way to get the job done.

Mike Vrabel (3:16)

It's better than an old team getting out of here with a loss, I would say.

But, you know, we will never not enjoy and embrace winning in this league. But I do think that guys are very aware of the fact that it can be better and that it will have to be better the more that we go along here and play. So, I think that that's a good sign that they know that there are some plays that we left out there, that we could have played better. But to do that on the road and be able to end it with the ball offensively and in victory formation is fun.

SPEAKER_2 (3:55)

Mike, you said all along that sometimes the ball finds these that are late enough. Do you think a game like this, in case Sean Andermeyer doesn't be proof of that, these body receivers, that they don't get frustrated all the time?