Mike Florio reports the statement issued by Mike Vrabel after announcing his retirement from the NFL to begin a coaching career at Ohio State.
"After 14 years in the National Football League, I have decided to retire and accept the position of Linebackers Coach at The Ohio State University," Vrabel said.
"I am extremely appreciative of the teammates, coaches, and great fans who surrounded me during my NFL career, and am honored to have been a part of three tremendous organizations in the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, and Kansas City Chiefs. I am especially grateful to Bill Belichick and Scott Pioli, who not only gave me the opportunity to play for a team that won three Super Bowl championships and an NFL record 21 games in a row, but also taught me invaluable lessons on creating the ultimate team approach.
The Ohio State Buckeyes report Bill Belichick, Vrabel's coach for eight years in New England, was most impressed with Vrabel as a player and is confident of his abilities to lead as a coach.
"During his Patriots career, there was no player more respected for his football intellect and revered for his leadership by his teammates than Mike," Belichick said. "He was elected a team captain by his peers and is a player who I think everyone knew was destined to become a coach after his NFL playing career was over.
"Mike Vrabel is as well-suited for coaching as any player I have ever coached. He has a tremendous feel for people, players, coaches and what his team needs regardless of the situation. He is outstanding in his knowledge of the game, which contributed to his excellence as a player. I have no doubt Mike will develop tough, intelligent, fundamentally sound winners."
TEAM TALK
- Patriots Today - Coaches' interests off the field. (2.51 min. video)
- Top 100: #39 Logan Mankins, presented by Bill Belichick (3.29 min. video)
- Report (NFL.com) Vrabel likely to retire from NFL, join Ohio State staff.
LOCAL LINKS
- The Boston Herald reports former Patriot Mike Vrabel will retire from the NFL and take an assistant coaching position at his alma mater, Ohio State.
- Tom E. Curran figures New England could be close to $20 million under the new salary cap, when the lockout ends.
- Greg A. Bedard offers up some notes from around the NFL, noting that if Marcus Cannon is suffering any side effects, he is hiding it well.
- Tom E. Curran reports that despite two neck surgeries, Eliis Hobbs says he'll return to the NFL if a team signs off on his health.
- Corey Hanlon thinks that based on recent NFL trends the Patriots should win the Super Bowl next season in Indy.
- The NESN staff wants fans to vote on what was the best 'decision' in Boston sports in the past 10 years.
- Mike Rodak looks at some free agents who could be a solid fit for the Patriots: Vikings WR Sidney Rice.
- ESPNBoston introduces fans to Assistant Director of Pro Personnel Bob Quinn and Assistant Director of College Scouting Brian Smith, both with the Patriots for 11 years; Scouting Consultant Larry Cook, with the team since 1985 and Area Scout Frank Edgerly, with 2 years in New England.
NATIONAL NEWS
- Pat Kirwan (NFL.com) Jets, Patriots in search of missing piece to championship run.
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Elliot Harrison (NFL.com) Powerhouse Patriots should continue to contend in AFC.
- Tim May (Columbus Dispatch) Vrabel to join OSU as an assistant football coach.
- Dan Pompei (Nat'l Football Post) Sunday Blitz.
- Rick Smith (SI) MM Backup QB: Lockout has led to contingency plans on top of contingency plans.
- Don Banks (SI) Whenever NFL free agency begins, spending will come fast and furious.
- Gregg Rosenthal (ProFootballTalk) Free agent period will separate best front offices from the rest.
- Michael Silver (Yahoo! Sports) Eisen navigates NFLN through uncharted waters.
LABOR LUNACY
- Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter (ESPN) Sources: Sides eye July 21 ratification.
- Brad Biggs (Nat'l Football Post) Free agency could begin July 28 under 'Transition Rules'.
- Gregg Rosenthal (ProFootballTalk) Looking closer at what "The Transition Rules" will look like.
- AP Report (Fox Sports) Rookie wage scale and free agency for veterans appear to be the biggest stumbling blocks to ending the NFL lockout.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Rookie wage scale takes center stage when talks resume.
- Michael McCann (SI) Court's ruling validates NFL's legal strategy, puts players in tough spot.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) The other side of the Arthur Boylan vacation.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Report: Free agents pressing for progress on CBA.
- Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Clarifying our position on retired players.
- Dennis Dillon (Sporting News) NFL lockout Q&A with Tom Condon: "I don't sense any panic from our players.'
- Gary Finkler (7th Inning Sketch) NFL labor cartoon. We stay away from politics here, but this was fitting.
- Will Brinson (CBS Sports) Patrick Peterson: 'Those guys aren't telling us anything'