New England Patriots Free Agency: Should They Target Mike Vrabel?

The New England Patriots live by the adage of cutting ties with their veteran players a year too early rather than a year too late.

It seems they let go of Mike Vrabel just in time, though, as their former pass rushing star has accumulated just two sacks in two years since his departure from the team that made him a three-time Super Bowl champion.

It would also seem, then, that there's no reason to target Vrabel in free agency now that his time with the Kansas City Chiefs has drawn to a close.

There are, however, at least a couple of things that Vrabel can still offer the Patriots. His veteran leadership and understanding of the Patriots system could be of value to a linebacking corps that is very green.

ESPN analyst and former Patriots legend Tedy Bruschi commented after the playoff loss to the Jets that the Patriots need to add a "playoff mentality" to the roster. Having helped the Patriots reach four Super Bowls and win three, Vrabel would certainly bring that.

People often comment that the Patriots system is very complex, and is all about knowing your role in a read-and-react defense.

With eight seasons entrenched in that system, Vrabel could act as a great coach and mentor for guys that haven't had as much time to grasp it.

This includes guys like Eric Moore, Jermaine Cunningham, and even 2011 sixth-round pick Markell Carter.

Vrabel played almost every position in the Patriots 3-4 system at one point or another, and even played both left and right outside linebacker in the '01-'03 days when the Patriots ran a 4-3 defense.

His understanding of Belichick's preferences and tendencies in both fronts would be of great value to players that are expected to be scheme-versatile.

After all, the Patriots still switch back and forth between the two fronts at times, and run a lot of the sub package (57 percent sub packages in 2010, according to ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss).

If there was ever any question that Vrabel wants to come back, he erased it shortly after the 2010 season drew to a conclusion.

The only question that remains is, do the Patriots want him back? Vrabel doesn't seem to think so, as he stated in an interview with Boston Herald writer Ian Rapoport.

”I’d go back in a heartbeat. Why wouldn’t I? Put it this way, I’d go back, but I highly doubt they’d want me back.”

The Patriots traded him for a reason, and what that reason is exactly, we may never know. Being that they've already parted with him once, chances may be slim of a reunion between the two.

There may not be reason to believe the Patriots would be interested in bringing Vrabel back, but there's more than one reason for them to do so.

As is always the case with the Patriots, the economic number would have to be right for the Patriots to bring in a half-player, half-mentor. 

They have, however, done so in the past with guys like Alge Crumpler. The veteran tight end was something of a mentor to the two rookie tight ends Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski. Crumpler was productive in the running game, as an effective run blocking tight end.

Vrabel would need to be productive in some manner for the Patriots to even consider a reunion.

In terms of a mentor, though, who better to bring in than Vrabel? He brings eight years of experience, and a deep understanding of the nuances of playing outside linebacker in the Patriots 3-4 system?

In that sense, Vrabel could be the second coming of Crumpler in his second coming to the Patriots.

Erik Frenz is the co-host of the PatsPropaganda and Frenz podcast. Follow Erik on Twitter @erikfrenz.