The New England Patriots’ new defensive coaching staff has hung their hats on being a violent group this season. Perhaps no player is more ready then third-year defensive end Keion White.
“Leading with violence is always my type of style,” White said following Friday’s walkthrough. “So, whenever I can do that and not read as much, that’s definitely beneficial for me.”
In addition to the violent approach, Mike Vrabel and Terrell Williams’ new defensive system will feature a more aggressive and attacking
defensive front. That should suit White and his fellow lineman well, as the emphasis is no longer to read-and-react and instead pushing up the field to make plays in the backfield.
Through the early stages of camp, Vrabel has liked what he’s seen from the 26-year-old.
“I love Keion’s attitude. He’s a worker, he’s here early, he’s got a routine that I think has worked for him, practices hard, he’s conditioned,” he said Friday morning. “So, again, as we work through this and progress — and we’re just a couple days into this — but I think Keion’s got a great attitude. I love kind of just being able to coach him. He’s very receptive. He’s a very coachable player.”
Vrabel marks White’s third head coach in three years, and the defensive end was vocal down the stretch last season about his displeasure with New England’s coaching staff.
His relationship now with Vrabel moving forward will be determined by a few key things — with the results on the scoreboard being the biggest.
“My biggest working relationship is whether we’re winning or losing, so that’s big for me,” White said. “And then you just go from there. So, is he a good coach, and how can he make me better? And that’s the biggest relationship I have. Everything else will take care of itself.”
So far, however, White has positive remarks about their time together.
“I think he’s a pretty good coach,” he said, “because he helps me get better.”
Now the attention will turn back to violence on the field for White, truly beginning on Monday in the team’s first padded practice of training camp.
“I hope they run the ball every play,” White said.
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