Patriots HC Impressed With Major Offseason Acquisition

FOXBOROUGH, MA. — Just a few months removed from breaking the bank to acquire defensive tackle Milton Williams, the New England Patriots, especially their head coach, are seeing why they decided to spend $104 million dollars on the Super Bowl champion.

"I thought he showed the ability to get into the pocket," Vrabel told reporters on Monday about what he thought about Williams' performance in last week's joint practices. "I thought it factored. I saw there were a couple opportunities in practice for him to transition and get into the pocket, affect the quarterback. I saw that early in the game. I thought — a good example of the team defense that we're talking about — he pushed the middle of the pocket, the quarterback stepped up, ran into the push that Milton created."

Williams — like most defensive linemen — has tended to blend in at the start of camp. He hasn't been racking up the sack totals that may show up on the stat sheet, but along with some of the other newcomers on the defensive front, he's been able to succeed.

"He tried to go out of the back of the pocket, KC (K'Lavon Chaisson) was there, and then the quarterback made the decision that he made, and we were able to take advantage of it, and Double-A (Alex Austin) was able to get the interception," Vrabel said, recalling one of the Patriots defensive highlights in their 20-12 win over the Minnesota Vikings. "So, just trying to show them those types of plays that Milt didn't get on the stat sheet, KC might have got a quarterback hit, but in the end, we ended up with the football on the plus side of the field and converted that into points. So, I think that's the whole idea that we're preaching."

The Patriots opened up their wallet to acquire one of those players that fits Vrabel's scheme. After originally being reported that Williams had struck a deal with the Carolina Panthers, he later landed in New England on a four-year contract.