Adam Scott Actor

After a victory especially important during the execution of the Patriots early last decade, Bill Belichick, warned his players about the means of love were about to receive.

"They will come here and blow smoke up your ass," Belichick said, according to Michael Holley excellent paper in the United Patriot time. "They will give bw jobs, tells how good you are, go on the stack thickness."

Belichick finished his speech, looked at his players, and noticed the hand of Mike Vrabel was in the air.

"Yes, Mike," Belichick said.

"What was it that said the bw jobs?"

The team of laughter. By all accounts, that time is Vrabel in a nutshell. He was fast enough to make the joke, and knew he was respected enough to carry out Belichick. Vrabel had great instincts in the field and in the classroom, I knew Belichick got a kick out of it.

(As Tom Curran says in a piece CSNNE. Com, Vrabel was a world class smart ass.)

There were better patriots during the three championship run the team, but perhaps no other player who plays Tom Brady was the best. Vrabel was versatile, the awards Belichick. The new linebackers coach at Ohio State lined up at outside linebacker, inside linebacker and tight end famous. I could stop running, and the cover can.

He was known for his athleticism and leadership. He played with a lead, however, perhaps defined by their intelligence. Holley wrote how the coaches were continually surprised at the memory Vrabel has incredible formations and tendencies of opponents.

"Throughout his career, Patriots, there was no player more revered for his football intelligence and respected for his leadership by his teammates Mike," Belichick said in a statement Monday. "He was elected team captain by his teammates and is a player that I think everyone knew he was destined to become a coach after his playing career in the NFL was over.

"Mike Vrabel is well suited for training as any other player I've coached. There is a tremendous sense of people, players, coaches and your team needs, regardless of the situation. He is exceptional in his knowledge of the game which contributed to his excellence as a player. I have no doubt Mike will develop hard, winners intelligent, fundamentally sound. "

Prepared by the Steelers, but barely used until he came to New England, ultimately, Vrabel will be remembered as one of the catalysts to carry the title of New England.

"He is a champion in every sense of the word and I'm sure all these qualities make him a great coach," said GM Scott Pioli Major Monday. "I can not overstate my respect for him as a person and football player. If there is a Hall of Champions, Mike Vrabel would be a first-round pick."

Vrabel will not make the Hall of Fame, but that's not the point. Patriot teams were the stars. Heck, Brady is the only sure-fire hall of Fame career. (Richard Seymour, Adam Vinatieri, Ty Law and Rodney Harrison have arguments.)

Vrabel pulled even on a team greater than the sum of its parts. On this day, you deserve a bit of smoke blown up your ass.