Mike Vrabel, Dianna Russini controversy (Getty Images)
Referring to Vrabel as “post-Sedona Mike Vrabel,” he said: “I wouldn’t say he’s as crisp. There’s some clock management stuff that he missed today that I was like, ‘Oh, Vrabel doesn’t usually miss that stuff.'” The “Sedona” reference points to what became one of the NFL’s most talked-about off-field stories this past spring. His “post-Sedona” framing was clearly a joke.
Simmons kept the tone light, but the observation landed with some weight. Photos surfaced showing Vrabel alongside NFL reporter Dianna Russini at an Arizona resort. Both initially disputed the public reading of those images. The Athletic later concluded that Russini had violated company standards by not disclosing an alleged relationship with Vrabel. The fallout was significant enough that Vrabel briefly stepped away from his duties and sought counseling. Simmons was not suggesting a direct line between those events and a missed timeout. But underneath it was a real point. Vrabel’s reputation in New England is built on precision. Game management. Situational awareness. Those are the qualities Patriots fans have trusted him for, and Simmons noticed something different in the first two weeks of this season.
New England is 1-1.
He said the formula for New England remains the same: put pressure on opposing quarterbacks and give their own quarterback a chance to play clean football. The bigger picture, though, is that this is not just a quarterback issue. Simmons questioned why New England has not used more two-tight-end sets or leaned on play-action more consistently. The gap between that team and what Foxborough has seen in September has been noticeable. Vrabel, for his part, kept his post-game tone measured and forward-looking. There is time to fix things. But when someone like Simmons, who has watched this team for decades, starts noticing the coach making uncharacteristic calls, it is worth paying attention to.
The Patriots reached the Super Bowl last year.