Houston Texans Report: Mike Vrabel To Interview For LA Rams HC Job
As usual with the postseason, the whispers for movement surrounding the Houston Texans’ coaches get louder.
As usual with the postseason, the whispers for coaching movement around the NFL — especially the Houston Texans’ coaches — get louder.
This it’s for the same guy.
Who I am talking about?
I’m talking about the Houston Texans’ linebackers coach Mike Vrabel.
According to NFL Insider Albert Breer, Vrabel has been contacted by the Los Angeles Rams about the job:
Here's an interesting one -- the Rams have received permission to interview Texans LBs coach Mike Vrabel for their head coaching vacancy.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 9, 2017
He also added this important nugget as well:
The Rams plan to interview Vrabel after the Texans' game against the Patriots.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 9, 2017
This news comes as not too surprising as Vrabel has enjoyed tremendous success with the linebackers as he has contributed heavily to the league’s No. 1 defense.
The emergence of Whitney Mercilus, Benardrick McKinney and the curation of Brian Cushing‘s talent despite injuries is worth hearty mention.
Mercilus has been nominated to the Pro Bowl as an alternate, which is quite an honor within itself.
Not only that but he has gotten the most out of guys like John Simon, Max Bullough, Akeem Dent, Brian Peters and Brennan Scarlett.
The linebackers combined for 307 combined tackles, 13.5 sacks, four passes defended and two forced fumbles.
McKinney (129), Cushing (63) and Mercilus (53) were leading tacklers on the linebacker front.
Mercilus also lead the unit in sacks (7.5) as well as McKinney being the runner-up (5.0).
The interesting thing is that this is only McKinney’s second year as a pro and he’s already doing damage to be on track as a future pro-bowler.
Not only Vrabel coaches well but he develops players and that’s going to make teams foaming at the mouth to land a guy like him.
And most importantly, we all got to know him better when the Houston Texans were featured on HBO’s critically-acclaimed reality series “Hard Knocks” ahead of 2015 season.
Vrabel was interviewed last season by the San Francisco 49ers — before they decided on Chip Kelly — when he ultimately turned the offer down.
Although it would be great to have him back, it’s quite understandable that he’d not only want a leadership role but more pay for the hard work he does.
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But being a head coach isn’t easy — it’s hard — and even more hours will need to be put in to do the work.
I’m positive he has considered all of this and I’m afraid we may not see him back next season unless he really loves the position that he’s in.
But as with any former player, I’d imagine he’d love the idea of a challenge and that’s what he may decide to do.
We’ll have to see.
Vrabel, 41, is into his 6th year as a coach and partook in 14 seasons as a player, mostly with the New England Patriots.
Go Texans.