Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel talks about team's preparations for Super Bowl LX
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel held his first news conference Tuesday in advance of his team playing the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX. The first-year Patriots coach laid out his team's schedule for the two weeks leading up to the game, and was asked about the health of quarterback Drake Maye.
The Patriots defeated the Denver Broncos, 10-7, in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday. The team returned Monday from Denver, a day later than normal due to the snow. As a result, Vrabel's first weekly news conference was pushed back a day.
Drake Maye's health
Vrabel was asked first about Maye's healh. Some speculation popped up Monday that Maye could be dealing with a shoulder injury ahead of the Super Bowl. Vrabel was asked if the topic is being blown out of proportion on social media.
"Probably," Vrabel said. "I think that everybody, including Drake, is not 100% this time of year. We'll do everything we can to help our players be prepared and get ready for this game."
New England is in the Super Bowl one year after winning just four games. Vrabel's team went 14-3 in the regular season, then defeated the Chargers, Texans and Broncos in the postseason.
Super Bowl schedule
Vrabel, who won three championships as a player in New England, is now hoping to win one in his first year as Patriots head coach.
The Patriots will practice this week on Thursday and Friday, then travel on Sunday for Super Bowl week.
"We have to get healthy," Vrabel said. "Staying the day helped us get a little bit of rest so we didn't get back late or try to sleep on a plane. We'll get moving around tomorrow. They'll lift and run and work out tomorrow, do some light football drills. The players will run those, I'll run the conditioning, things like that. And then practice Thursday and Friday, give them an opportunity to take a day off Saturday, travel Sunday."
When the team arrives in California, they will treat Monday like a bonus day off as they would have coming out of a bye week, using it for drills and movement. The team will then have Tuesday off before holding a normal Wednesday, Thursday and Friday practice week.
Super Bowl LX is set to take place Sunday, Feb. 8 in Santa Clara, Calif. The game is being played at Levi's Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers.
Patriots offensive struggles
The Patriots defense has been dominant throughout the playoffs. But the offense has struggled against three of the top defenses in the league. Vrabel was asked what has led to the struggles.
"I think that's all a combination. The defenses in general, the pass rush. We'll have to be better," Vrabel said. "We'll have to play one of our best games, if not our best game against Seattle to stay balanced, to run the football, to use all our complimentary passing game and not just turn it into a drop back passing game. Because that's a tough way to live in this league."
Vrabel gives thanks
Before taking questions, Vrabel said he was thankful to a long list of people at all levels of the organization.
"Just want to thank a lot of people here for helping us get here, obviously. Robert and Jonathan [Kraft] for the support that they showed us from the time that I got here, through free agency. We're excited to finish up this chapter here and move into a new building, just a lot of excitement there," Vrabel said.
The coach's gratitude extended beyond just coaches and players.
"As we get back [from Denver], the Foxboro Fire Department, these guys all jacked up on top of their trucks and the excitement there. Look at our parking attendants. We came back and there's a bunch of snow and we're worried about starting our cars, and getting everything cleaned off. And our cars are cleaned off. I can't thank those people enough for what they do," Vrabel said. "Our staff, our coaches to get our players prepared. Our training room. Obviously, our players we thank them. I know that they're excited to get us this next game. Just the work that they're going to put in, I think we have a good plan for them and it'll be a good challenge and a huge test."