Mike Vrabel Sends Clear Message To Patriots’ Young Players originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New England Patriots saw flashes from their young players in the preseason opener. Mike Vrabel wants considerably more. New England’s head coach offered a revealing assessment of Gabe Jacas and Caleb Lomu after reviewing the film from the Patriots’ 13-13 tie with the Indianapolis Colts.
“I think it’s a first start,” Vrabel said during his Saturday press conference. “I think there’s a lot of room for improvement. That’s why we coach.”
Jacas and Lomu are expected to compete for meaningful roles, but Vrabel made it clear that draft status will not excuse normal rookie growing pains.
Preseason Debuts Reveal The Next Challenge
For Jacas, the next step is translating his physical traits into more consistent defensive execution. The rookie flashed his power against Indianapolis, including pressure that helped produce a Kindle Vildor interception, but also experienced the speed and spacing challenges that come with an NFL game.
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Vrabel said the Patriots had warned their rookies that game action would move faster than joint practices.
“Things happen quicker,” Vrabel said. “These are all great learning experiences for these guys.”
Lomu’s development carries equal importance because of New England’s need for dependable offensive-line depth. The Patriots also are dealing with an injury to interior lineman Ben Brown, whom Vrabel expects to miss multiple weeks and potentially the remainder of the preseason.
Vrabel said New England planned to sign two interior offensive linemen Saturday. That move should protect the team’s practice numbers, but it also creates more competition across the unit.
Eagles Practices Will Turn Up The Pressure
The Patriots will have plenty of opportunities to evaluate their young players in the coming days.
Vrabel outlined a demanding schedule that includes red-zone and two-minute work, four padded practices and two joint sessions with the Philadelphia Eagles. Those practices may provide a more valuable test than another preseason game because Jacas and Lomu will face starting-caliber competition in controlled situations.
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Patriots Rookies Must Convert Flashes Into Consistency
Vrabel remains optimistic about both players.
“They’re willing,” Vrabel said. “I think they’re capable.”
That endorsement came with an important qualifier. Neither player is a finished product, and the Patriots will not treat promising flashes as proof they are ready.
New England’s young players now must show they can process corrections, adjust to NFL speed and avoid repeating mistakes.
The opener gave Jacas and Lomu a starting point. The upcoming practices against Philadelphia could reveal how quickly they are capable of moving beyond it.