FOXBOROUGH - Mike Vrabel addressed the media Monday morning after his Patriots got “back in the race” following their upset win in Buffalo. He hit on a number of topics. Here are the ones that stood out to me:
What's the status on Mack Hollins (calf)?
“I think we'll probably know more here in a little bit. I don't know if he'll be able to practice here for a couple days, but again, I don't have every detail. I'll get in there with Jim [Whalen] here afterward and kind of see where we are and then make sure we have guys that are ready to go. Everybody's preparing as a starter. We know the energy that Mack brings, and the next guy has to be ready to go.”
BSJ Analysis: Hollins suffered a non-contact injury, which is concerning. He did not return after exiting in the third quarter. The Patriots have three wideouts on the practice squad: Kyle Dixon, Cameron Dorner and Chandler Brayboy (shoutout, Elon). None of the three have appeared in a regular-season game. Dixon and Brayboy are bigger bodies, while Dorner is more of a burner. I’d guess an elevation for one of the three is coming, should Hollins not be able to go. If it’s more long-term, the brain trust may have to go outside the organization for a more proven, veteran type.
Did you come to a conclusion on the two failed QB/center exchanges (there were also two more that were bobbled)?
“I mean, we have to practice it and continue to practice it. And whether the center's moving laterally, he has a block that he has a guy off his body, and he's moving one way. Is the quarterback excited on the goal line to try to get off the goal line? I mean, I think you see those plays down there, and I know that he's thinking he has to get off the line. I mean, you saw what happened with Jayden Daniels and those things when the defensive lineman’s taking all the ball on the goal line and they're attacking. Sometimes things happen. So, I know he's trying to get off the line of scrimmage. In our haste to get off the line of scrimmage, we have to stay in there and secure the snap. So, we'll continue to focus on those things. We have to be good in critical situations: short yardage, low red zone. When it gets tough, we have to be really good.”
BSJ: Hey, Drake, stop leaving without the ball (mostly), and take better care of it regardless.
On limiting Dalton Kincaid (2 targets, 1 catch, 7 yards):
“I think awareness. I think that [Robert] Spillane did a nice job. On one play, they tried to hide him over there on the line of scrimmage. It's not where he usually hangs out, and so he ran the over, and Spillane was able to carry him, I think, just long enough for Josh to go in a different direction. Felt like good coverage all day, being able to mix zone and mix man. But having an awareness of where he is and not letting him just run free.”
BSJ: The Pats defense treated Kincaid like a