Patriots
“We’re probably different personalities and I think that that’s probably what I appreciate the most about him.”
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FOXBOROUGH – Mike Vrabel was chatting with a guest as he walked into Patriots practice on Wednesday.
It was Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla, who stopped by to spend some time on the sidelines.
Mazzulla has been a guest at previous Patriots practices under Bill Belichick and Jerod Mayo. He grew up a Patriots fan in nearby Johnston, RI and enjoys learning from other coaches.
“Joe is fantastic. I appreciate him just from the time that I got here, reaching out,” Vrabel said. “We’re probably different personalities and I think that that’s probably what I appreciate the most about him.”
“He’s always trying to learn and gain knowledge different ways about building a team, about strategy, about scheme, about inspiring players to do their job. I always love my conversations with him, and I’m excited that he was able to come out here with his son today.”
Mazzulla’s stepson, Michael Harden, plays high school football at Xaverian. He is listed as a 6-foot-2, 215-pound outside linebacker according to his Hudl page.
Last year, Mayo said that Mazzulla sat in on some of the Patriots’ defensive meetings. Mazzulla said, at the time, that there was a lot that he took away from the meetings. He observed how the Patriots communicated before the snap and disguised their defensive coverages.
“All those things are super important,” Mazzulla said last September. “It’s been great being able to see how you can factor those into disguising what your defense looks like at the beginning of a possession. Maybe you go to something different later in the possession.”
The Celtics find themselves in the most uncertain spot of Mazzulla’s time with the team. Jayson Tatum is recovering from a ruptured Achilles. Jaylen Brown had offseason knee surgery, but is expected to be ready for training camp.
Through free agency and trades, Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Luke Kornet are all elsewhere. Al Horford, who is currently a free-agent, has yet to decide on his next move.
Mazzulla inherited a team that had lost in the NBA Finals in 2022 after Ime Udoka was suspended for violating team rules.
He has compiled a .740 winning percentage over his three seasons, and helped guide the Celtics to their first championship since 2008. The winning percentage is the highest mark in NBA history among coaches who have coached more than one season.
With a revamped roster and the possibility of missing Tatum for an extended period of time, the Celtics will likely have to make significant offseason adjustments.
Mazzulla spent a morning in Foxborough watching the Patriots, who are undergoing a transition of their own as they head into Vrabel’s first season as head coach of the franchise.
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