Romeo Crennel has a pretty good beat on Mike Vrabel, what makes him tick, and what makes him such a good head coach.
The three-time Super Bowl winning defensive coordinator was with the Patriots when Vrabel first arrived in New England in 2001 via free agency.
Crennel was also the defensive coordinator in Houston when Bill O’Brien added Vrabel to the staff as a linebackers coach from 2014-16.
So Crennel has a pretty unique perspective when it comes to the Patriots new head coach.
Watching Vrabel’s introductory press conference Monday from his Florida home, Crennel was reminded of two men he coached with – Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick.
Crennel believes Vrabel has some of the best qualities of both former Patriots coaches.
While Vrabel didn’t play for Parcells, Crennel sees a parallel in how both relate to players.
“Parcells got to know the players. He would come in early. And he might have his cup of coffee, then he’d go to the locker room and sit and talk to players,” Crennel said, speaking with MassLive Monday. “That was his soft side, because most of the time, he was hard on them. But with those talks, he’d find out which guys he needed to push, and which guys he needed to put his arm around.
“I see that in Mike. I think he learned from that, and seeing how that worked,” Crennel went on, “because (like Parcells), he’s hard-nosed. He has a toughness about him. And that toughness comes through. But he also takes the time to get to know his players. And they appreciate that kind of concern from a coach.”
Crennel saw that first-hand when the two were in Houston. He saw a demanding position coach who quickly earned the respect of his players.
Vrabel enjoys quizzing players on what they know, and what they’re supposed to know, which was one of Belichick’s favorite exercises. And like the Patriots six-time Super Bowl winning coach, Vrabel made sure players understood the game plan, driving home the keys to winning each game.
“He will be challenging, but I also think sometimes he tries to make it fun,” Crennel said of Vrabel. “But he’s going to let them know he’s demanding, and like (Belichick), they better have some answers.”
Crennel said the Patriots had Vrabel on their radar when he was in college at Ohio State. They wanted to draft him, but the Steelers got to him first. Only, they rarely used him.
When Vrabel hit free agency, it was a no-brainer to sign the linebacker, who became a Pro Bowl player with the Patriots.
“When we had the chance to get him, we got him. He came in, and we felt like he’d be a good fit, and he was,” Vrabel said. “He could play a couple of different positions, and he always was attentive to whatever position you wanted him to play. He was going to give his best in that spot. He was going to compete really hard all of the time. I think some of those qualities have crossed into his coaching career.”
Crennel believes Vrabel is a good head coach because of those experiences as player, because of that competitiveness and hating to lose.
“I think MIke has a great understanding of what the game is about, and what it takes to play the game. I think his experiences helped him along the way,” Crennel said. “When you’re not a star, and you’re a backup, you know you have to fight to try and win a spot. So I think him having to endure that, particularly coming from Ohio State, him having to endure being a back up, being a special teams player, he’s always had to fight, and give it all he has.”
During Monday’s presser, Vrabel spoke about his upbringing, being an only child, being spoiled, and enjoying sports because of the team element. He loved being in an environment where everyone had to work together to reach a common goal.
That’s why he’s so gung-ho on team culture, and having players check their egos at the door.
“The time with us, that was preached quite a bit. Everybody has a job to do, do your job. Understanding that it takes a team, not an individual,” Crennel said. “That was part of our culture, too.”
Crennel, of course endorsed the Patriots newest hire. Knowing Vrabel as he does, he has little doubt which direction the Patriots are headed.
“I believe he’ll be successful because he’s been successful everywhere else,” Crennel said. “I think it’s a good fit and I think he’ll do a good job. He knows the organization. He knows what’s expected there. And he’s very smart. He knows where guys as supposed to fit. He has football intelligence. That’s something he’s had all along.”
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