Mike Vrabel uses big-ticket free agent to set the tone and show the cultural shift will work for the Patriots

FOXBOROUGH, Mass - New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel is making sure his players know exactly what culture he is building.

And that starts with one of the team’s top free agent acquisitions.

On Tuesday when speaking with reporters, Milton Williams, who the team made the highest paid player in franchise history with a four-year, $104 million deal, told a story about Vrabel from one of the team’s first offseason sessions.

Specifically, Vrabel called out Williams during a team conditioning run where the players had to run to a certain part of the field, turn around, and get back to the line. And, there was a time that the players needed to do it within.

While Williams was within the time, he did start slowing down at the end since he knew he was safe. But that wasn’t good enough for Vrabel.

“The first week, I was out there running, and Coach Vrabel called me out in front of everybody, which I like,” Williams said. “He called me out like, ‘Hey, if you’re going to be here, you need to set the standard.’ After that, I’ve been trying to make sure I’m doing that every day.”

Williams was asked to explain exactly what happened, and he didn’t hold back.

“I’m kind of like chilling until I get to the line. He was like, ‘No, don’t let them catch you. If you can make it faster, make it,’” Williams said, “I’m like, ‘alright.’ Every rep since then, I’m trying to make sure I’m the first one back. I feel like it’s going to help me, just push me to where I want to be.

“He wants me to go fast and empty the tank every rep,” he added. “I like that. I don’t think I’m bigger than the next person. I don’t mind him calling me out. Calling me out is going to help the other guys. We have no excuses.”

Vrabel expects a certain level of effort from his players and he’s not afraid to call them out when he doesn’t see it. That’s exactly what the players need from a coach, which is someone holding them responsible.