FOXBOROUGH - On the day we got our first look at the rookie draft class and assorted undrafted free agents and tryout players, Mike Vrabel told us that an important face would be missing. Defensive coordinator Terrell Williams is not with the team due to an undisclosed medical condition and hasn't been for some time after suffering an undisclosed health issue this spring.
"I'm away from the building, but I'm not away from the team, so I'm doing good," Williams told us late Friday afternoon via Zoom. He added that he's remained in Detroit, where the incident occurred, per doctor's orders, and called this a "wake-up call."
"Hopefully, I'll be able to get back soon," said Williams, who later joked that his cell phone was inundated with friends and colleagues expressing their concern after Vrabel's press conference.
"I think what people - from that press conference today, I got about 300 text messages like I was laying on my deathbed, but I'm doing okay," he said, chuckling. "No need to speculate. I don't want to get into specifics right now. There'll be a time when I'll talk about it."
"I've been in constant communication with him," said Vrabel. "Zak Kuhr has been handling those responsibilities in Terrell's absence, but Terrell's eager to get back, and we're excited to get him back. He's still been in contact with the players through Zoom, with me, and then the rest of the coaching staff."
Williams said that every day starts with Vrabel texting him around 5 in the morning.
"That's just how he operates," said Williams, who later had to pause to control his emotions as he delved deeper into his appreciation for the head coach.
"Mike Vrabel, you guys think you know him - like you think you know him, but you know the football coach. I know the person. That person means a lot to me with what he's been and long before this happened. He means a lot to me, is all I'll say."
After doing some work on football, the soon-to-be 51-year-old — his birthday is June 19th — then does his "rehab."
Williams is entering his first season as a defensive coordinator. He spent last year in Detroit as the Lions' run game coordinator/defensive line coach, but before that, he was a critical lieutenant on Vrabel's staff in Tennessee. Those I've talked to around the league believe Williams to be one of the best assistants in the game and overdue for his shot at running a defense. Williams is a large presence on the field (he's a big man and played nose guard at East Carolina). When asked if this would be a short or long-term issue, Vrabel wouldn't go into any detail and set a tone for that question moving forward.
"I'm not going to touch on anything other than as we go forward," he said. "There won't be many timelines for me as it relates to time away from players or anybody else."
As Vrabel mentioned, Kuhr is assuming Williams' duties for now. He was in the Titans ecosystem for four seasons with Vrabel - three as a quality control coach and one working with the inside linebackers (his hired role here in New England as well). Kuhr spent last year in New York with the Giants.
Zak Kuhr
