The Patriots linebacking corp needed an infusion of talent this off-season. The team signed free agent Jack Gibbens to a one year, $1.3 million dollar contract in March.
Gibbens arrived in Foxborough after four seasons with the Tennessee Titans, where he played under Vrabel and earned respect—as well as the nickname “Dr. Gibby”—for his football intelligence and knack for making plays in key situations.
The 6’3 242 pound linebacker has a little Vrabel in his game in terms of his smarts and toughness. Gibbens plays with good instincts and thus far in training camp, he has been all around the ball in team periods. Gibbens comfort level with the defensive scheme gives him an advantage over the other players. He also know what Vrabel and defensive coordinator Terrell Williams are looking for from their players.
“Effort and technique, that’s really what we’re all about on this whole team, but on defense, especially, is running to the ball, playing with great technique, and being physical. That’s kind of like the three main things that we’re trying to focus on.”
Gibbens understands that the best way to get more opportunities is to produce and practice with great effort. If he does that, he will get more snaps and more opportunities to make plays.
“Just trying to take advantage of every rep I get, earn a role on this team, whatever that may be. Just feel like whatever plays you get out there, you make good plays while you’re out there, you get more plays. So just trying to continue to build my role and help this team win.”
Gibbens wasn’t the only linebacker the Patriots signed this off-season. New England also signed Jack of All Trades linebacker Robert Spillane. Spillane is a three down player who like Gibbens adds an element of smarts and toughness to the room. Gibbens is excited to play alongside Spillane.
“Like I just said, everybody in our room has played. We got almost everybody in our room has started games in the NFL. So it’s great having a lot of veteran guys that know what they’re doing. This is the smartest room I’ve ever been a part of. Definitely everybody’s locked in, hungry for more, hungry for more. And so it’s really comfortable out there. No matter who you’re playing with, you know that that guy knows what he’s doing, and we can help each other out.”
The linebackers will set the tone for this Patriots defense and it was important that they did that on the first day with pads on. Gibbens said all reps up until this point are valuable but everything changes with the pads on.
“I mean, everything that we did up to this point, those are valuable reps. We had to bank on that we won’t get back. But definitely the game changes when you put pads on. Everything from the run fits, the pass rush, how you cover people, everything’s different. This game is played with pads on. So these days definitely mean more for sure.”
Gibbens is excited to be in New England and he is looking forward to playing with a group of guys who are talented and have connected on a personal level.
“I think it’s a really connected group already, especially for the short amount of time that we’ve been together. Guys just want to play hard for each other, want each other to do well. I think we got a lot of talent, a lot of guys who really play with a chip on their shoulder, play hard, play physical. I’m really excited about the group that we got for sure.”