CHESTNUT HILL – It’s well documented how much Bill O’Brien and Mike Vrabel respect each other. Their friendship has been talked about at great length since Vrabel was hired as the next coach of the Patriots.
But, what isn’t talked about enough is how much O’Brien’s BC program could help out the Patriots here in the short term while Vrabel – who spoke to the team on Monday before BC’s Pro Day – can lend any and all support he can to current Eagles with his wealth of NFL connections and experiences.
“I told the team this morning, as you go through life, especially after you get into football and you get fired, you realize maybe you don’t have as many friends as you thought you had,” O’Brien said during a media scrum as Pro Day was going on. “He’s definitely a guy that’s one of my greatest friends and to have him right down the road is just awesome.
“Just to be able to communicate with him and talk to him every once in a while…we’re both very busy right now, but to have him and his staff – Doug Marrone another great friend of mine here today – it’s pretty cool, it’s very cool.”
Vrabel, Eliot Wolf and other members of the Patriots staff were just a few of the 100+ on hand for the Eagles’ Pro Day, with all 32 teams represented. Vrabel chatted a bit early on with Chris Lindstrom who was in the house, the former Eagle has made quite a career for himself as one of the best offensive linemen in all of football. Vrabel, O’Brien and Marrone stood together during some of the 40-yard dashes and workouts. Vrabel was also intently watching both the defensive line and offensive line drills later in the day.
It just so happens that the two guys that everyone was there to see – Donovan Ezeiruaku and Ozzy Trapilo – play positions that the Patriots desperately need help with. Others like Drew Kendall, Jack Conley, Neto Okpala, Dino Tomlin and Kam Arnold all acquitted themselves well and could all immediately land in Foxborough and contribute to the organization.
Ezeiruaku didn’t participate in any of the events on Monday, securing his first round status during the NFL Combine and Reese’s Senior Bowl. He did however, meet with the media and talk about how hard it was to keep the competitive juices from coming out during the nearly three-hour workout.
“It’s hard. I was telling somebody, I’m getting a little itchy, but, you know, it’s probably the best for me to not do too much today,” he said. “I had a really good showing at the NFL Combine and the (Reese’s) Senior Bowl, and then obviously the tape speaks for itself. But, like you said, competitor, my guys are out here doing their thing, grinding. I definitely got that competitive itch.”
As local guys, Trapilo and Kendall have acknowledged it’s hard not to think about what could be if they become Patriots, but they also understand anyone who takes a chance on them is their new favorite team.
“Look, I’m not allowed to have any biased, right?” Trapilo said with a bit of a laugh. “I’m putting myself out there. Whoever wants me, I’m going to be the happiest guy in the world to go there and just go play the sport that I love.”
“I’d be happy anywhere,” added Kendall. “I just need that opportunity to make the most of it, but it would definitely be really special. You know, grew up about 40 minutes from Foxborough, so it’d be a really cool experience.”
O’Brien was asked specifically during his media scrum about the lineage factor with both guys and if he feels like it could help them on their NFL journey.
“Yeah, absolutely. Pete (Kendall) is here today. He was a great player in the NFL. Ozzy’s dad was a great player here, was Flutie’s tackle and played for the Saints. I really do think there’s something to that. So, hopefully they take that into account too for those guys.”
He was also asked specifically about the fit Ozzy would be in a Mike Vrabel locker room with the Patriots.
“To me, it’s a great question, it’s an easy question,” he said. “Ozzy is the type of guy who is just the same guy every day. Never misses practice. Very tough. Very talented. Very smart, got a Master’s degree from Boston College. He’s excellent in the locker room. He’ll do whatever the coach asks him to do. He’ll play right tackle, left tackle, he’ll play guard if you want him to. He always puts the team first and I think that’s some of the things Mike’s probably looking for.
“I’m not telling Mike who to draft, but I don’t think he can go wrong with Ozzy Trapilo. Ozzy Trapilo is going to be a great pro.”
With plenty of local and national media on hand, it was a chance for the program to showcase itself as one that’s on the rise again. It was also a chance for Vrabel and the New England organization to get even more familiar with the talent coming out of Chestnut Hill. As ‘the’ FBS school in the area, there should be a symbiotic relationship between the two. Monday was a nice display of what could be, as well as a display of both the present and the future at BC.
That present can certainly help the Patriots come NFL Draft time in May.
As long as O’Brien and Vrabel are still about 35 minutes from each other, the BC to Foxborough pipeline may become as valuable as it’s ever been for both parties involved.
“It helps us at BC obviously, quite a bit to have Mike and his staff right down the road,” added O’Brien. “Great connection between myself and Mike and Coach Marrone and Coach McDaniels and a lot of guys on the staff there. Mike spoke to the team this morning which was fantastic and we really appreciate that.
“It’s going to be great to have those guys at the Patriots now and have that connection.”