Mike Vrabel must pay special attention to one star when the New England Patriots begin their postseason against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Derwin James anchored Los Angeles’ fifth-ranked defense during his fifth Pro Bowl campaign. The multi-faceted safety impacted all areas of the field with 94 tackles, eight quarterback hits, three interceptions, two sacks and a forced fumbles.
Vrabel praised James when explaining what the 29-year-old brings to the table beyond his physical abilities.
“I think he’s got really good instincts,” Vrabel told reporters on Wednesday. “When he blitzes, whether to go inside or go outside. There’s a passion, there’s a love for football. There’s a play demeanor. He’s a very good tackler. He can cover, he matches up, he has the versatility to play down or close to the line of scrimmage. He can play in the deeper part of the field.”
Vrabel remembered coaching James during the 2022 Pro Bowl. He was amused by James communicating with him about missing team activities to attend his mother’s wedding.
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“I was like, buddy, I don’t think there’s any rules to the Pro Bowl,” Vrabel recalled. “And so, just remembering that about him, I always have a lot of respect for him. Obviously the player he is, but (also) the person.”
The Chargers will need James to disrupt Drake Maye and a sizzling Patriots offense to pull off a road upset at Gillette Stadium. Sunday’s opening-round bout starts at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.
Featured image via Mark Konezny/Imagn Images
