FOXBOROUGH – Fights that break out at training camp or joint practices are usually meaningless affairs.
Tempers flare, and the next thing you know, all hell breaks loose. Calm is restored, and that’s the extent of it.
The skirmish between the Patriots and Commanders on Wednesday, however, was the exception to the rule.
This one had plenty of meaning.
Prior to both teams taking the field, Patriots coach Mike Vrabel spoke with the media and was asked what he was hoping to accomplish, what was the goal of this particular joint practice.
“Well, the goal is just to be able to put (our) identity out on the field against another team,” he said.
The Patriots have been pushovers the past two seasons. Yes, they were deprived of talent, but sometimes hard work, commitment to the goal, an extra level of toughness and resilience and having the group work as one can make up for a team that’s lacking in the star department.
This year’s team, Mike Vrabel’s team, has improved the talent formula, but with an NFC playoff team in town, they were still lacking.
What happened in the fight spoke volumes about Vrabel and his team. It spoke volumes about where they’re at and where they might be headed.
It stamped that identity.
When Vrabel jumped in, trying to separate rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson, who took a Commanders blitzer to the ground before things escalated, it sent a message to his players.
“That’s what we’re trying to build. It starts with the head coach – the intensity, bringing it every day. Taking no crap when we’re out there on the field,” Patriots quarterback Drake Maye said. “But also it comes at a time with our guys offensively getting over there and getting in some tussles and having penalties with extras after the whistle.
“It can get us in trouble, but as a mentality, I like it. I think that’s what you want. I almost got in there, but I think another day. We’ll see.”
Vrabel is building a culture. He wants his team to be tough, play tough, play together and take no prisoners when they’re out on the field.
He wants them to care about each other, build something they’re going to fight for and do whatever it takes to win.
That was Vrabel’s signature as a player. It remains as a coach.
Vrabel was bloodied in the fray – most likely from Will Campbell hurling himself on top of the pile to try and help Henderson – but none the worse for wear.
While coaches try to breakup any ruckus, they don’t necessarily go to the mat, like Vrabel.
He’s a smart coach. He knew what he was doing, the message he was sending.
“It’s a physical game. A man’s game. Things happen out there,” Maye said. “It’s a time where you don’t want to come out here and fight and get in trouble, but at the same time, you don’t want to back down from nobody.
“I’m sure coach will preach you can’t have that but at the same time, it’s in the back of our minds that’s how we want to play – (with) the intensity and when the whistle is going play hard, when the whistle stops, get up and go away.”
No coach openly applauds or condones fighting, or battling to the point of blows, but privately, they like seeing their players stick up for one another.
And in between the dustups, they also like seeing all of their teaching and coaching pay off in such settings.
Unlike last year’s joint practice against Philadelphia at Gillette, which was completely one-sided in the Eagles’ favor, the Patriots put on a good showing on both sides of the ball.
The Patriots fans that lined the backfields left with a jump in their step.
That’s because Maye made some jaw-dropping plays – moving up in the pocket before delivering a side-arm strike to Pop Douglas was one – and seemed comfortable and at ease with the offense going up against another team.
Even the offensive line – destroyed by the Eagles pass rush last year – wasn’t a disaster.
Rookie left tackle Will Campbell fared well during the 11-on-11 periods against the Commanders. Matched up with former Patriots captain Deatrich Wise, Javon Kinlaw, and Dorance Armstrong, Campbell didn’t surrender a sack during those team periods.
“I thought we moved well. It was good playing against another team, having all our guys out there and kind of getting the rhythm, build some plays together, and move the ball,” Maye said. “I thought we did some good things offensively and wish we would have ended it better, tip ball down there, but hey, that happens, that’s football, and that’s why you practice those. But overall, I was proud up front. The guys up front, they battled hard.”
The defense, minus two starting corners against Jayden Daniels, also held its own.
All in all, it was hard not to feel encouraged by what transpired.
Vrabel, however, was the man of the hour. His players took turns applauding their coach, and appreciating how he has their backs in every sense of the word.
“Man, that shows a lot about our coach,” Pop Douglas said. “He’ll do anything for us. That’s love right there.
“I said, ‘Coach, what’s wrong with you?’ He said, ‘Hey, you should’ve seen the other guy,’’’
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