Copyright MassLive
FOXBOROUGH – Mike Vrabel was speaking at the podium on Wednesday, discussing how Stefon Diggs has helped shape team culture in his first season with the Patriots, when the coach dropped a random fact about his team. “41 guys lifted yesterday on a day off,” Vrabel said. “Came into the building and lifted, which I thought was a really positive thing at this time of year.” For players, Tuesday marks their only true off day of the week. Following a game on Sunday, players are back in the building on Monday to review game film and get treatment. After the off day, they’re back to practice on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Come Saturday, the team either holds a walkthrough or travels to their next destination. With the 7-2 Patriots preparing for a tough matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Vrabel thought it was a good sign of culture that 41 of his players opted to come to Gillette Stadium on Tuesday to work out. Vrabel said he spoke to players about how the midway point of this season really marks the beginning of the next journey. Players know that to make the playoffs, their work isn’t done. That’s why many opted to come in yesterday. “That first halfway point of the season, guys kind of figure out what kind of team you are, what kind of team you want to be, where you measure and the things you’ve been doing well,” Diggs said. “So, trying to figure out that identity at this point, we know who we are. We know where we want to go and what it’s going to take to get there, so guys coming in on their off day, putting the time in, I’m not surprised.” Diggs received treatment on Tuesday, but noted he wasn’t one of the 41 players lifting. Many who were present said that their decision to come in on an off day allowed them to focus better on Wednesday. For example, Mack Hollins and Efton Chism III worked out together on Tuesday. Hollins said it stems from lessons learned earlier in his career. “I learned early on from older guys that you’re a football player, so get the lifting and that stuff out of the way so you can play football on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday,” Hollins said. “I want to get all my stuff done on Monday, Tuesday, so when it comes to Wednesday, I’m not, ‘I have to lift before’ or ‘after practice I have to lift.’ I don’t want that to cross my mind. All I want to think about is ‘ball, ball, ball’ and be ready for Sunday.” It’s similar for special teams ace Brenden Schooler. During his rookie year, he attached himself to Matthew Slater. When the Special Teams legend told him he liked to lift on Tuesday, Schooler decided to follow the same schedule. “I like coming in on the off day because I like to front-load my week, and I like to take my time when we get in here,” Schooler said. “There’s no rush. I don’t have any meetings. I can get treatment and take my time with my lift… I think with getting later in the season, if you can get ahead early on in the week and get your lifts out so you’re not sore.” Patriots safety Dell Pettus was part of the group on Tuesday. He feels it’s more beneficial to set the tone early in the week. After a good workout, his body feels good, and mentally, he’s ready to take on the challenge of Wednesday, when the team holds its first practice. Patriots rookie Marcus Bryant said he’s learned that lifting early in the week helps with his recovery. Chism said he feels better coming to Wednesday’s practice after lifting the day before. “Guys are in the building, whether they’re lifting or not – just coming in, getting something done. Doing something productive,” said rookie tackle Will Campbell. “I think that’s a big thing, whether that’s lifting, taking care of your body, watching film on who we’re going to play. Just trying to get ready.” This season, the Patriots have surpassed expectations, but many noted they realize that they still haven’t accomplished their goal. Vrabel’s team wants to make the playoffs. They understand that 7 wins won’t get them there. That’s why players are willing to put in the work, even on their off day. “That’s definitely a good sign for culture because it is our off day,” Pettus said. “We don’t have to do it, but for guys to come in on their own time and do a lift that isn’t mandatory for that day, I think it shows a lot with resilience and work ethic.”
