Mike Vrabel sometimes looks like he can still play for the New England Patriots.
Just a week ago in the opening round of the playoffs, Vrabel took off in a dead sprint down the sideline to get a timeout called. You certainly wouldn't have wanted to be a ball carrier at the other end of that linebacker's pursuit.
Vrabel is beloved by Pats fans this season in large part because of the turnaround he has led, and how he has led it.
But he was also already a beloved figure before getting hired in New England. He was one of the best players of the Tom Brady-Bill Belichick era of the Patriots, in some ways the greatest dynasty the NFL has ever seen.
Now, Vrabel is trying to add to his legacy with a championship as a coach.
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How many rings did Mike Vrabel win with the Patriots?
As a Patriots player, Vrabel won three rings.
He was part of the first three Super Bowl championships Brady won, in 2002, 2004 and 2005.
Mike Vrabel's best Super Bowl performances
Vrabel appeared in four Super Bowls, winning the first three before falling to the New York Giants in the David Tyree helmet catch game.
In February 2002, the Pats took on the Rams. Vrabel made four tackles, including one for loss.
Astoundingly, Vrabel caught a touchdown in each of his next two Super Bowl appearances.
In 2004 against the Panthers, it was a 1-yard TD grab to go with six tackles, 2.0 sacks and a forced fumble.
In 2005 against the Eagles, Vrabel's TD was a 2-yarder, and he had six tackles with 1.0 sack defensively.
In that loss to the Giants, Vrabel made just two tackles.
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How many TDs did Mike Vrabel catch?
The Patriots used to use the linebacker as a TE-eligible player down by the goal line, and he caught 12 TDs total between regular season and postseason in the NFL.
He caught 10 touchdowns in his regular season NFL career, eight of those with the Patriots and two with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Vrabel added two receiving touchdowns in his playoff career, both in the Super Bowl, one in Feb. 2004 and the other a year later, both victories for the Pats. Those were his only two postseason catches.
How many Super Bowls have the Patriots won?
The Patriots have won six Super Bowls.
Vrabel was part of the first three as a player.
Now, he's trying to add to that total as the Pats' head coach.
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