Mike Vrabel Reportedly Had 'Dumb S--t' Videos Made of Mistakes by Opposing NFL Teams

When he coached the Tennessee Titans, Mike Vrabel had his staffers compile a video of "dumb s--t" other teams were doing on the field as a learning exercise for his squad, according to The Athletic's Dianna Russini.

Russini said at the 1:00:39 mark of The Bill Simmons Podcast that Vrabel "actually is a good coach" to push back against the perception of him being only a "rah-rah guy."

"I think people think he's just like a tough guy that like cheers on guys and motivates well," the NFL insider said of the first-year New England Patriots head coach. "But he has a plan. He's a details psycho. His game management is some of the best in football. He cares about dumb s--t that I think is dumb, but I get why he does and why his entire staff is obsessed over things.

"I remember in Tennessee on Fridays they basically put together a tape called 'Dumb S--t,' I think is what they called it. And Vrabes would have his assistant pull all of the dumb stuff from that Sunday prior of mistakes teams were making, like self-inflicted s--t, and then show it to the team."

Russini said Vrabel's arrival has provided a lift across the entire Patriots organization because he has laid out a clear plan and made known what his expectations are from his personnel.

That marks a contrast from the last few years in New England.

Bill Belichick is the greatest head coach in modern NFL history, but the Pats were rudderless once Tom Brady left and signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020. The way in which Belichick's relationship with team owner Robert Kraft eroded was impossible to ignore as well.

The task of succeeding the six-time Super Bowl champion then proved to be too big for Jerod Mayo. The 39-year-old may grow to become a good head coach elsewhere. Last season, he wasn't ready.

Even before Mayo got the boot, some were arguing for the Patriots to bring Vrabel aboard. Beyond his connection to the organization after spending eight years in New England as a player, he compiled a 54-45 record in six seasons as the Titans coach.

Nobody can ever say for sure whether a coaching hire will be a success. With Vrabel, it was at least a case of the perfect candidate coming along at the right time.

The early returns from his tenure sound encouraging.