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Mike Vrabel has rounded out the three headline positions on his coaching staff, after successfully luring Detroit Lions defensive line coach Terrell Williams to replace DeMarcus Covington as New England Patriots defensive coordinator.
Williams’ exit from Detroit and reunion with Vrabel were confirmed by ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Mike Reiss. As Schefter noted, Williams earned the respect of Vrabel during their time with the Tennessee Titans: “Vrabel thought so highly of Williams that he had him serve as head coach of the Titans’ 2023 preseason opener.”
Aside from his existing rapport with Williams, this is a coup for Vrabel. Largely because 50-year-old Williams is considered “the best D-Line coach in the league.” That endorsement comes from Lions head coach Dan Campbell, who made the statement at the NFL Scouting Combine in 2024, per MLive.com’s Kyle Meinke.
There’s two good reasons to take Campbell’s word about Williams’ expertise. Notably, the latter’s work with some of the most disruptive D-linemen in football history, including a Hall of Famer for the Patriots.
Williams also proved his expertise this season by helping the Lions lead the league in a key category, despite injuries to elite talent up front.
Terrell Williams Gives Patriots Stronger Track Record
Replacing one line coach turned coordinator with another may seem like a curious move from the Patriots. Yet, Williams has a stronger record than Covington, one based upon the many dominant disruptors he’s developed in the past.
The list includes former three-time Patriots Super Bowl winner Richard Seymour. Williams coached defensive tackle Seymour during their time with the then-Oakland Raiders in 2012. Stints with the Miami Dolphins and Titans followed, where Williams coached All-Pros like edge-rusher Cameron Wake and tackles Nadamukong Suh and Jeffery Simmons.
Williams expressed his fondness for what he calls “violent” players: “I’ve coached some of the most violent on-the-field players and have (coached Jeffery) Simmons, had (Ndamukong) Suh in Miami, had Richard Seymour in Oakland, and even some of the undersized (players), like Cam Wake in Miami, who was 260, 250 pounds, he was one of the most violent football players — people look at him as a pass rusher but he rushed violently when you watch him, and that’s just what it is. I don’t know any other way to explain it other than we’re looking for violent players. That’s just what it has to be,” per MassLive.com’s Mark Daniels and Chris Mason.
This history poses exciting possibilities for what Williams’ expertise and aggressive style can do for members of an underachieving Patriots front. Specifically, for versatile edge defender Keion White and bullish interior force Christian Barmore.
What’s just as encouraging for the Patriots is how Williams has fared without bluechip linemen. He lacked those in Detroit this season thanks to injuries to D-tackle Alim McNeill and defensive end Aidan Hutchinson.
The Lions filled the gaps with journeyman veterans like Za’Darius Smith, but that didn’t stop Williams’ unit from thriving. As Nate Tice of Yahoo! Sports told the Ross Tucker Football Podcast, “They’re No. 1 in pass rush when they bring four guys.”
Being able to rush just four and still generate heavy pressure fits what Vrabel and Williams did defensively in Tennessee. It will also better suit a talented Patriots secondary fronted by shutdown cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
The defense is taking shape, not unlike the offense and special teams after Vrabel made two other crucial hires.
Mike Vrabel Making Big Moves With New Staff
Along with the imminent return of Josh McDaniels, Williams’ arrival completes the big three positions on Vrabel’s new staff. McDaniels will be tasked chiefly with handling the development of would-be franchise quarterback Drake Maye, while Williams must revive a defense that ranked 22nd in points and yards this season, per Pro Football Reference.
Special teams was the only unit that performed close to expectations, with Brenden Schooler earning All-Pro recognition. The group’s strong showings help explain Vrabel’s decision to retain coordinator Jeremy Springer, whose return was confirmed by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport on Monday, January 20.
There’s a theme of familiarity about these moves. Springer keeps his job, McDaniels returns for a third stint at Gillette Stadium, and Williams is well known to Vrabel.
Hopefully, continuity can help facilitate a quick turnaround in New England.
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