Marshal Yanda: Pro Football Focus' highest-graded guard

Pats' Past: When Mike Vrabel single-handedly destroyed the Washington Redskins

By Bernd Buchmasser

May 16, 2016

The 2007 New England Patriots were an unstoppable machine, at least during their perfect 16-0 regular season. The offense was and still is the most prolific ever, while the defense was its perfect counterpart: opportunistic and efficient. If there is one game exemplifying this, it is the team's week 8 game against the Washington Redskins.

Probably the best player on the field that day was linebacker Mike Vrabel.

Vrabel had already registered 4.5 sacks and one touchdown reception in New England's seven prior wins. However, those performances would pale in comparison to his one against the visiting Redskins in late October.

After the game's first quarter, which saw Vrabel record three tackles and the Patriots take a 7-0 lead, the versatile linebacker started dominating the contest – both on offense and defense. With 8:12 left in the second quarter and the Patriots facing a 2nd and goal from Washington's two-yard line, the part-time tight end Vrabel took the field.

After faking the hand-off to running back Laurence Maroney, quarterback Tom Brady found Vrabel uncovered in the right half of the endzone. The then 32-year old had no issues catching Brady's pass and the Patriots took a 14-0 lead. It was Vrabel's 10th career touchdown on his 10th career catch.

While he was an efficient tight end, Vrabel's main occupation was playing defense – and he showed it on Washington's next possession, just four plays after his touchdown catch. On 3rd and 5, Vrabel was able to fight his way through the Redskins' offensive line to sack quarterback Jason Campbell for an eight-yard loss. While doing that, the linebacker knocked the football loose; Ty Warren recovered the fumble and four plays later New England led 17-0.

After Washington's next possession ended with an Asante Samuel interception and the Patriots gave the football back on the very next play via a Brady fumble, Vrabel was back in the spotlight.

Facing a 3rd and 4 on New England's 23-yard line, Vrabel was again able to get to Campbell. Once again, the quarterback was sacked. Once again, he lost the football. Once again, Ty Warren recovered it. Once again, the Patriots turned the takeaway into points and thus entered intermission with a 24-0 lead.

New England's dominance continued in the second half, as the team marched 85 yards on 13 plays to widen the lead to 31 points. Four plays later, the Patriots led 38-0 – once again because of Mike Vrabel: on the Redskins' first possession of the third quarter, the outside linebacker was able to sack Campbell for the third time, forcing a third fumble. This time, Colvin was able to scoop up the loose ball and he returned it 11 yards for the touchdown.

Vrabel's contributions that day were not limited to offense and defense: he also recovered an onside kick late in the fourth quarter (and with the Patriots already up by the final score of 52-7). Overall, the linebacker finished the game with a touchdown, three sacks, three forced fumbles, ten additional tackles and said kick-recovery.

It was a dominating performance by the linebacker, who earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors because of it and was later that year selected to his first Pro Bowl and All Pro team. It also was a vintage Mike Vrabel game as he was a game-changer in all three phases.

Scherff buckles up for new season

May 4, 2016

By Jordan Hansen | jordan-hansen@uiowa.edu

Washington’s first-round draft pick Brandon Scherff has had a busy year adjusting to life in the NFL.

He was moved from offensive tackle, his position in college, to guard during the first few weeks of training camp. In addition to switching positions, he also had to learn an entirely new playbook after spending the previous five years mastering the Hawkeyes’.
Washington made the playoffs, and Scherff got a taste of something rare in the NFL — postseason football. While Washington lost in the first round, it was a successful year for a franchise coming off a 4-12 season in 2014.

“We started to finally put the pieces together and started playing together,” Scherff said. “To win the division and go to the playoffs, some of the vets said, ‘Don’t get used to it.’ You gotta take advantage of those opportunities you get.”

The transition has been nearly seamless and much of that credit, he says, goes to the Iowa coaching staff, especially strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle.

“He got me to do things I never thought I could do,” Scherff said. “When it comes to getting you ready for the NFL, there’s no one who does it better than Iowa.”

Scherff made the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie team and was widely hailed as a massive success. He was also one of the most consistent players on the team, missing exactly one snap in his 17 starts.

Pro Football Focus’ Mike Renner said Scherff graded out as one of the top guards in the league.

“Scherff is definitely a very good run blocker, and I think the scheme they run in Washington is perfect for him; it plays to a lot of his strengths,” Renner said. “He’s only going to get better with more time, and he’s just a freakish athlete.”

There are, however, some things for Scherff to work on. There were a few pass-blocking issues at Iowa, and Renner says they have carried over a bit.

Even so, according to Pro Football Focus, Scherff gave up just 2 sacks this season. He was also only assessed for just three penalties this year, a solid statistic.

“He still doesn’t have the great change of direction that some guys do, but guards not a premium pass-protecting position, similar to center,” Renner said. “You can get by with a guy who’s maybe not pass blocking extremely well snap after snap if he’s getting movement in the running game.”

Washington will expect quite a bit out of its now second-year guard next season, and Scherff sounded like he’s up for the challenge.

It’s now the middle of the off-season, and Scherff has been busy in the weight and film room, preparing for coming season.

“You always want to get your body stronger and faster,” he said. “We’re trying to play faster, play smarter, so you’re getting into the playbook … meeting the new guys and just getting ready for the season.”