The NFL Draft Is Taking A Backseat In New England

By Steve Atkinson 

The NFL Draft is happening this weekend, but in New England, it feels like anything but the NFL Draft. With the Patriots holding the 31st overall pick and this year’s draft weaker than usual, the event has taken a back seat. Instead, the headlines focus on Mike Vrabel missing day three of the draft to spend time counseling with his family. The news broke the night before the draft, creating a PR nightmare for the Patriots. Vrabel’s quotes to ESPN are below.

As I said the other day, I promised my family, this organization and this team that I was going to give them the best version of me that I can possibly give them. In order to do so, I have committed to seeking counseling, starting this weekend. I have always wanted to lead by example, and I believe this is what I have to do to be the best husband, father and coach that I possibly can be. This is not an easy thing for me to admit, but it is one that I know will make me a better person. I appreciate the support that everyone has given me and promise a stronger resolve as a result.”

Patriots Don’t Really Care About The Draft

I think Vrabel is doing something to work through his marriage, but was it a coincidence that he started at the draft weekend? He didn’t start last weekend; maybe he couldn’t get an appointment. It just so happened that he began counseling the weekend of the draft. The most interesting part of the draft will be the Patriots’ press conferences, which could take away draft picks or whatever they do. They’ll post videos of the selections.  However, people will want to hear what Eliot Wolf or Mike Vrabel has to say.

Adam Schefter was given a favor on Monday by dropping the AJ Brown news, which wasn’t really new information. The Krafts and the Patriots probably told him to hype up those rumors to deflect attention from Vrabel’s situation.

Then Vrabel speaks on Tuesday, and the night before the draft, it’s reported he’ll miss day three because of family matters. See what ESPN did there? Schefter probably knew this was coming and did Kraft and the Patriots a favor with the AJ Brown news. But don’t forget, the draft is on Thursday night.  Nobody around here is really going to talk about it except the Patriots’ media, who seem afraid of losing their jobs.

I think Vrabel did the right thing by speaking on Tuesday before the draft.  Honestly, that should’ve been the end of it. Now we’ve got another distraction before the draft because he won’t be there on the last day. Draft isn’t my strong suit, but I guess that’s not much of a focus for the Patriots this year either.