<!–>
There’s a new sheriff in town for the New England Patriots — granted, it’s an old friend — in Mike Vrabel, and he’s vocal about holding his players accountable.
“I like that,” defensive lineman Milton Williams, one of New England’s biggest additions this offseason, said on Tuesday. “I don’t mind. I don’t think I’m bigger than the next person. I don’t mind getting called out, because him calling me out is just going to help the other guys. We ain’t got no excuses for nobody to be not giving their all.”
Vrabel was the head coach of the Tennessee Titans from 2018-23, with the team going 54-45 in the regular season and, most notably, reaching the 2019 AFC Championship Game. After being fired, Vrabel spent the 2024 NFL season as a coaching and personnel consultant for the Cleveland Browns. Now, Vrabel is coaching a Patriots franchise that he played eight seasons for (2001-08) and won three Super Bowls with (2001, 2003 and 2004 seasons).
Williams, who inked a four-year, $104 million deal with the Patriots in March, is coming off arguably the best season of his career, totaling a career-high five sacks, one forced fumble and 24 combined tackles for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024; he then posted two sacks for the Eagles in Super Bowl LIX.
Williams ranked second among defensive linemen in pass-rush grade (90.4), 31st in overall grade (70.1) and 167th in run-defense grade (43.1), according to Pro Football Focus. Philadelphia selected Williams with the No. 73 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Louisiana Tech.
ADVERTISEMENT
–>
Williams was the most expensive player New England added in an offseason that was centered around revamping its defense, also adding cornerback Carlton Davis (three-year, $54 million deal) and linebackers Harold Landry (three-year, $43.5 million deal) and Robert Spillane (three-year, $33 million deal), among others.
Julian Edelman on what to expect from Mike Vrabel’s first year with Patriots
Williams explained how Vrabel, who the defensive lineman says wants his players to “empty the tank every rep,” has been hard on the team’s defensive line on a timed run — in a good way.
“Just instead of, like, we running and we got a time we were supposed to make it in, and I already made it on my way back,” Williams said. “So I’m kind of like chilling until I get to the line, he’s [Vrabel] like ‘Nah, don’t let them catch you. If you can make it faster, make it.’ So I’m like, ‘Alright.’
“So every rep since then, I’ve just been trying to make sure I’m the first one back. I feel like that’s going to help me, just push me to where I want to be. And the guys that are running with me, that’s going to push them to run even harder.”
Williams joins a Patriots defense that was 10th in the NFL in opponent passing yards (211.5 per game), 22nd in opponent total yards (343.4 per game) and opponent points (24.5 per game) and 23rd in opponent rushing yards (131.4 per game) last season. New England is coming off a second consecutive 4-13 season that saw it fire head coach Jerod Mayo after one season.
Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
National Football League
New England Patriots
Milton Williams
<!–>
recommended
Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
–>
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Luke Kornet’s legacy game saved Celtics’ season with fate of franchise in the balance
BOSTON — In the purported last gasps of the Boston Celtics’ season, of possibly an entire era, blood was everywhere.Josh Hart sat on the ground after taking a Luke Kornet shot to the eye, blood smeared across his face. Across the court was Kornet, a patently unserious man, nursing a gash on his elbow.AdvertisementBut this was a serious moment. The Celtics’ backs were pressed against the walls after Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles and the New York Knicks put them on the brink of elimination. They entered the night needing Jaylen Brown to overcome his balky knee to deliver a star performance. The Celtics desperately needed Kristaps Porziņģis to shake off this virus that has plagued him and just look like a semblance of a unicorn again.Brown was delivering, but Porziņģis was still a shell of himself. With Mitchell Robinson […]
Fontwell hosts six-race card plus action at ParisLongchamp
We have summer jumps action this Thursday with Fontwell the sole domestic venue as they host a competitive six-race card, live on Sky Sports Racing...5.35 FontwellThe Secret Pearl lines up in the Bet Clever BetGoodwin Mares' Novices' Hurdle when she bids to follow up on her last performance at Market Rasen where she got up late to claim her maiden victory. Up just three pounds for that effort, she could be progressive, and another big run shouldn't be ruled out. Jamie Snowden and Gavin Sheehan combine with She Is For Me Boys who arrives here on just her second time under rules after bumping into a potential improver in Jasmine D'Airy at Plumpton last time out. This looks a bit more straightforward and this unexposed mare should go well for a top partnership.Ben Pauling and Ben Jones team up with […]
Stokes vows to be ‘fitter than before’ ahead of England return
Ben Stokes has vowed to return for England's Test summer in peak physical condition after an extensive four-month recovery from hamstring surgery.England captain Stokes has been out of action for country and county since tearing his left hamstring during the final Test in New Zealand in December. Since undergoing surgery in January, the 33-year-old Durham all-rounder has undertaken "one of the longest rehab periods of his career" which he says could see him return to the Test arena fitter than he has ever been."I always work hard," Stokes exclusively told Sky Sports. "My ethos when I'm injured is I come back fitter than I was before I got injured."I've worked incredibly hard on all aspects of everything, from my cricket to fitness, and know I'm going to be in a position when I am back on the field to potentially […]
Boston odvrátil vyřazení, Minnesota je v semifinále
Nejúspěšnější tým dekády Golden State doplatil na absenci své největší hvězdy a dirigenta hry Stepha Curryho, který s poraněným svalem od prvního utkání série nehrál. Nestihl se uzdravit ani pro dnešní zápas a Minnesota toho využila. Od začátku si šla jasně za vítězstvím, když si vybudovala náskok až 25 bodů. Dominovala zejména pod košem, odkud dala 72 bodů.Nejvíce se dařilo Juliusi Randleovi s 29 body, Anthony Edwards přidal 22 bodů a 12 asistencí. Celý tým Timberwolves střílel s velmi dobrou úspěšností 63 procent, zatímco Warriors jen 43 procent. Brandin Podziemski dal za hosty 28 bodů.„Minnesota zahrála skvěle a zasloužila si postoupit. Já jsem ale velmi pyšný na svůj tým. Bojovali jsme. Před pár měsíci jsme si ani nemysleli, že bychom se mohli dostat až sem. Ale zlepšovali jsme se. Teď už to bohužel nevyšlo,“ řekl trenér Golden State Steve Kerr.Boston se na rozdíl od Warriors dokázal s absencí své hvězdy vyrovnat. Jaysonu Tatumovi po operaci Achillovy […]
Boston odvrátil vyřazení, Minnesota je v semifinále
Nejúspěšnější tým dekády Golden State doplatil na absenci své největší hvězdy a dirigenta hry Stepha Curryho, který s poraněným svalem od prvního utkání série nehrál. Nestihl se uzdravit ani pro dnešní zápas a Minnesota toho využila. Od začátku si šla jasně za vítězstvím, když si vybudovala náskok až 25 bodů. Dominovala zejména pod košem, odkud dala 72 bodů.Nejvíce se dařilo Juliusi Randleovi s 29 body, Anthony Edwards přidal 22 bodů a 12 asistencí. Celý tým Timberwolves střílel s velmi dobrou úspěšností 63 procent, zatímco Warriors jen 43 procent. Brandin Podziemski dal za hosty 28 bodů.„Minnesota zahrála skvěle a zasloužila si postoupit. Já jsem ale velmi pyšný na svůj tým. Bojovali jsme. Před pár měsíci jsme si ani nemysleli, že bychom se mohli dostat až sem. Ale zlepšovali jsme se. Teď už to bohužel nevyšlo,“ řekl trenér Golden State Steve Kerr.Boston se na rozdíl od Warriors dokázal s absencí své hvězdy vyrovnat. Jaysonu Tatumovi po operaci Achillovy […]
How the Celtics pulled together without Jayson Tatum to rout the Knicks in Game 5
BOSTON — In a film session between Games 4 and 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series, as the Celtics prepared for their first game against the New York Knicks without Jayson Tatum, veterans Jaylen Brown and Al Horford challenged the remaining members of the team to rally for their injured superstar."When those two guys are at the front of it," said Celtics reserve Luke Kornet, "it's easy to follow course."AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLikewise, Tatum texted his teammates and Celtics staff prior to Game 5. He had ruptured his right Achilles tendon in the final minutes of Monday's Game 4 loss, when Boston fell behind in the series, 3-1.That message? "I'm not telling you," said Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla. Fair enough.Jaylen Brown didn't make things easy for Jalen Brunson in Game 5 Wednesday night at the TD Garden. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty […]
Related
Luke Kornet’s legacy game saved Celtics’ season with fate of franchise in the balance
BOSTON — In the purported last gasps of the Boston Celtics’ season, of possibly an entire era, blood was everywhere.Josh Hart sat on the ground after taking a Luke Kornet shot to the eye, blood smeared across his face. Across the court was Kornet, a patently unserious man, nursing a gash on his elbow.AdvertisementBut this was a serious moment. The Celtics’ backs were pressed against the walls after Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles and the New York Knicks put them on the brink of elimination. They entered the night needing Jaylen Brown to overcome his balky knee to deliver a star performance. The Celtics desperately needed Kristaps Porziņģis to shake off this virus that has plagued him and just look like a semblance of a unicorn again.Brown was delivering, but Porziņģis was still a shell of himself. With Mitchell Robinson […]
Stokes vows to be ‘fitter than before’ ahead of England return
Ben Stokes has vowed to return for England's Test summer in peak physical condition after an extensive four-month recovery from hamstring surgery.England captain Stokes has been out of action for country and county since tearing his left hamstring during the final Test in New Zealand in December. Since undergoing surgery in January, the 33-year-old Durham all-rounder has undertaken "one of the longest rehab periods of his career" which he says could see him return to the Test arena fitter than he has ever been."I always work hard," Stokes exclusively told Sky Sports. "My ethos when I'm injured is I come back fitter than I was before I got injured."I've worked incredibly hard on all aspects of everything, from my cricket to fitness, and know I'm going to be in a position when I am back on the field to potentially […]
Fontwell hosts six-race card plus action at ParisLongchamp
We have summer jumps action this Thursday with Fontwell the sole domestic venue as they host a competitive six-race card, live on Sky Sports Racing...5.35 FontwellThe Secret Pearl lines up in the Bet Clever BetGoodwin Mares' Novices' Hurdle when she bids to follow up on her last performance at Market Rasen where she got up late to claim her maiden victory. Up just three pounds for that effort, she could be progressive, and another big run shouldn't be ruled out. Jamie Snowden and Gavin Sheehan combine with She Is For Me Boys who arrives here on just her second time under rules after bumping into a potential improver in Jasmine D'Airy at Plumpton last time out. This looks a bit more straightforward and this unexposed mare should go well for a top partnership.Ben Pauling and Ben Jones team up with […]
Boston odvrátil vyřazení, Minnesota je v semifinále
Nejúspěšnější tým dekády Golden State doplatil na absenci své největší hvězdy a dirigenta hry Stepha Curryho, který s poraněným svalem od prvního utkání série nehrál. Nestihl se uzdravit ani pro dnešní zápas a Minnesota toho využila. Od začátku si šla jasně za vítězstvím, když si vybudovala náskok až 25 bodů. Dominovala zejména pod košem, odkud dala 72 bodů.Nejvíce se dařilo Juliusi Randleovi s 29 body, Anthony Edwards přidal 22 bodů a 12 asistencí. Celý tým Timberwolves střílel s velmi dobrou úspěšností 63 procent, zatímco Warriors jen 43 procent. Brandin Podziemski dal za hosty 28 bodů.„Minnesota zahrála skvěle a zasloužila si postoupit. Já jsem ale velmi pyšný na svůj tým. Bojovali jsme. Před pár měsíci jsme si ani nemysleli, že bychom se mohli dostat až sem. Ale zlepšovali jsme se. Teď už to bohužel nevyšlo,“ řekl trenér Golden State Steve Kerr.Boston se na rozdíl od Warriors dokázal s absencí své hvězdy vyrovnat. Jaysonu Tatumovi po operaci Achillovy […]
Boston odvrátil vyřazení, Minnesota je v semifinále
Nejúspěšnější tým dekády Golden State doplatil na absenci své největší hvězdy a dirigenta hry Stepha Curryho, který s poraněným svalem od prvního utkání série nehrál. Nestihl se uzdravit ani pro dnešní zápas a Minnesota toho využila. Od začátku si šla jasně za vítězstvím, když si vybudovala náskok až 25 bodů. Dominovala zejména pod košem, odkud dala 72 bodů.Nejvíce se dařilo Juliusi Randleovi s 29 body, Anthony Edwards přidal 22 bodů a 12 asistencí. Celý tým Timberwolves střílel s velmi dobrou úspěšností 63 procent, zatímco Warriors jen 43 procent. Brandin Podziemski dal za hosty 28 bodů.„Minnesota zahrála skvěle a zasloužila si postoupit. Já jsem ale velmi pyšný na svůj tým. Bojovali jsme. Před pár měsíci jsme si ani nemysleli, že bychom se mohli dostat až sem. Ale zlepšovali jsme se. Teď už to bohužel nevyšlo,“ řekl trenér Golden State Steve Kerr.Boston se na rozdíl od Warriors dokázal s absencí své hvězdy vyrovnat. Jaysonu Tatumovi po operaci Achillovy […]
How the Celtics pulled together without Jayson Tatum to rout the Knicks in Game 5
BOSTON — In a film session between Games 4 and 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series, as the Celtics prepared for their first game against the New York Knicks without Jayson Tatum, veterans Jaylen Brown and Al Horford challenged the remaining members of the team to rally for their injured superstar."When those two guys are at the front of it," said Celtics reserve Luke Kornet, "it's easy to follow course."AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLikewise, Tatum texted his teammates and Celtics staff prior to Game 5. He had ruptured his right Achilles tendon in the final minutes of Monday's Game 4 loss, when Boston fell behind in the series, 3-1.That message? "I'm not telling you," said Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla. Fair enough.Jaylen Brown didn't make things easy for Jalen Brunson in Game 5 Wednesday night at the TD Garden. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty […]
Be the first to leave a comment