FOXBOROUGH - For the second time during his brief tenure as the team's defensive coordinator, Terrell Williams will be away from the team for undisclosed health reasons.
Mike Vrabel began his Wednesday afternoon press conference by making the announcement.
"Just want to update you here. I didn't want to put out a statement. I would rather just speak on it myself. So due to some unforeseen ongoings here with Terrell - Terrell is going to be - Terrell Williams will be away for the next few days," he said. "Okay, so it's nothing related to the incident from March, but it was something that just came up, and we'll have to run some more tests. And we think it's best - and I think it's best - that he focus on that. And we prepare for Miami with what we've been doing."
Vrabel was evasive when asked when the issue first popped up, only to say that it happened sometime between the end of the game Sunday and today (then added it wasn't today).
"So this is where we're at, and want the best for him, want the best for him and our players, (their) families and everybody else," he said. "So again, can't speculate right now. Just want to make sure that he's focused on getting results and figuring out what the next step is here, medically."
Inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr, who ran the defensive meetings throughout the spring in Williams' absence, will once again assume that role.
"I think Zak does a fantastic job," Vrabel said enthusiastically. "Always has since he's been with us before. Worked through the game plan. We'll work through practice. We'll work through the normal operation at third down, short yardage, and red zone. We'll have to be great. We'll have to have great preparation for an offense that motions a lot and relies on their speed and their timing, their precision."
Speaking with several players in the locker room, they all expressed concern for Williams. But they also expressed confidence in Kuhr as he assumes a bigger role.
"He's a leader," Robert Spillane told me. "He's the guy who comes prepared every day. I love his messaging in terms of team defense, physicality, relentlessness. We're going to continue to live by our identity, and that starts today at practice, and just continue to build on that up until Sunday."
"I have no doubt about Zach at all," said Marcus Jones, adding, "Both of those guys, T (Williams) and Zach, you know, whenever it comes down to just being in a room, their energy and everything is top-notch. So I love that from both of those guys."
Williams did speak to the team to let them know, and as Vrabel explained it, the head coach hasn't yet made a decision on who will call the defense (he and Kuhr being the options).
Meanwhile, the Pats defense may be looking at another weekend without its best player. Christian Gonzalez, who hasn't practiced since July 28th with a hamstring injury, remained sidelined for today's work. Obviously, there's still time before Vrabel and the medical staff will have to decide on the player's status for Sunday in Miami. Still, historically, Wednesday practices are an important day on that front.
Vrabel noted that the third-year cornerback is "continuing to improve, which is positive, and working hard" and "staying engaged...still preparing as a starter and asking questions in the meetings and all those things."
The Patriots' defense was gashed for nine explosive pass plays (20+ yards) in their loss to the Raiders, and another play went for 19 yards. Hard to say the back end did the job consistently, and now they'll face a Dolphins team that has speed to spare in Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and a host of others. However, the vibes, if you will, are at an all-time low for a team located near South Beach. There is a GoFundMe page currently raising money to fly a "Fire Mike McDaniel (and GM Chris Grier)" banner, which, as of this writing, has already doubled its stated goal.
Miami was curb-stomped in the opener at Indianapolis, allowing the Colts to score on all seven of their offensive possessions. Meanwhile, that vaunted offense couldn't get out of its own way, and McDaniel didn't spare his quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, while meeting with the media earlier this week.
"I think I saw a quarterback play that was less than to be desired, which Tua absolutely knows," McDaniel said. "He's the captain and the franchise quarterback, and everybody kind of fell victim to something similar."
Tagovailoa turned the ball over three times (2 INTs, 1 fumble) and passed for just 114 yards. Former teammate Xavien Howard, now a cornerback for the Colts, spelled out their plan simply in the postgame.
"He gets the ball out pretty quick," Howard said. "And once we take away his first read, I feel like it's panic mode after that. And it showed yesterday."
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