Mike Vrabel Has Telling Response To Patriots’ Preparations For Star Running Back

Mike Vrabel’s New England Patriots defense will face an immense challenge when facing the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night.

Only the Cleveland Browns have allowed fewer rushing yards than New England through four games, but the Patriots will encounter James Cook in Week 5. The star running back has registered 490 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns this season, exceeding 100 rushing yards in each of the last three games.

Ahead of the primetime matchup, Vrabel was asked on Friday if he’s done anything out of the ordinary to prepare for Cook. Vrabel noted, per WEEI’s Tom Carroll, that the Patriots don’t have a scouting team option that can replicate the Pro Bowler’s skills.

“If we had somebody that could show us a look for James Cook, we’d be using him a lot,” Vrabel said.

Vrabel continued to praise the 26-year-old, who scored three of his 18 touchdowns against the Patriots last season.

“He’s very talented with the football in his hand,” Vrabel added. “They do a great job of maximizing his skill set and understanding that defensively, everybody’s at the point of attack — no matter where the ball starts — with him. Or you think it’s going to go somewhere, you have to be sound. You have to have some gap discipline, certainly great efforts to get to the ball, and rarely does the first guy tackle him.”

While likely meant solely to commend Cook, numerous observers wondered what Vrabel’s quote revealed about his perception of TreVeyon Henderson.

Vrabel’s response is potentially notable considering Henderson’s limited role. The rookie running back has 39 touches in four games after playing 15 snaps in last Sunday’s win over the Carolina Panthers.

Of course, Vrabel may have only been considering players from his scout team. Some Patriots fans would still like to see the No. 38 pick receive more opportunities this season.