FOXBOROUGH – Mike Vrabel spent enough years in the league to know what real leadership looks and sounds like.
The head coaching position in the NFL requires a delicate balance between caring human being and the A-hole that only cares about one thing and that’s winning.
Vrabel has struck that balance so well, that the Patriots are one win away from the Super Bowl in his first year as head coach.
Following the thrilling win over Houston on Sunday evening, Drake Maye was asked what Vrabel had done for him personally this season. His answer was both funny and telling about what Vrabel has been able to do from a relationship building standpoint.
Yeah, I think he challenges me. He challenges me really every day, every day in practice, every day, every time I come back from the sideline from a drive, he’s always got something to say,” Maye said. “It’s not like it’s – it’s usually something meaningful and that’s worth something. Trying to listen to him as much as I can. I know he’s played in some big games like this. It’s cool when you can see his emotion on his face when he’s not even playing, he’s coaching, and how much he cares for us how much he cares for each of us personally. I think he pushes me to be the best I can be. One of the best thing about Coach, he coaches hard, but he also cares about us a lot. I think that goes a long way. Coach Vrabel, he’s a constant now.
“It’s hard when I’m sitting right here and my man is with the camera, on team meetings, he’s got a sarcasm that haven’t really figured out 100 percent yet. He’s got a little tough sarcasm where I want to laugh but you don’t really want to. I think he’s a big dude, too. I respect somebody that, shoot, looking me in the eye, and he’s always got something to say, and I think it’s always something that is either funny or helps the team and helps us win.”
On Monday, I asked Vrabel how he’s been able to walk the tight rope between someone the guys know they can approach, but also making it crystal clear who’s running the show.
“Yeah, I try to be as approachable as possible,” he said. “I think the biggest thing is getting out of your office. Whether the door to your office is always open still doesn’t mean they want to come in, sit down and talk. So, trying to find places and meet them where they’re at, be in meeting rooms, be in the cafeteria, be in the weight room, places like that.”
Being approachable and also maintaining his ball-busting personality has ultimately been a major factor in the Patriots being 60 minutes from Santa Clara.