New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel addressed a reported fine for conduct toward officials on Oct. 26. The reported Mike Vrabel fine was listed at $250,000 by Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, according to Boston.com.
Breer reported that the fine was held in abeyance, meaning it could be forgiven with good behavior. Breer also reported that Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni and New York Jets coach Aaron Glenn were fined the same amount for conduct toward officials. The three coaches were each listed at $250,000 in connection with that conduct.
Vrabel said Monday in Foxborough that he could not discuss the matter because fines of that nature were supposed to remain confidential. He also expressed disappointment that details of the fine had been reported. His comments came after a Week 4 incident involving NFL officials during New England’s win over the Buffalo Bills.
Why the Mike Vrabel fine was reportedly $250,000
During the Patriots’ Week 4 victory in Buffalo, Vrabel received a five-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after yelling at officials following a holding call against defensive back Marcus Jones. Boston.com reported that the incident was connected to Vrabel’s criticism of the officiating. The penalty was assessed during the game, while the reported fine was part of the league discipline described by Breer.
After the game, Vrabel described the holding call as a “terrible f-ing call.” He said he had used that description many times during his coaching career and argued that the comment was not derogatory. Vrabel also said he trusted Patriots vice president of football operations and strategy John Streicher to evaluate whether the call was correct.
“I told him that’s a terrible f-ing call, and I’ve said that about 87 times since I’ve been a head coach,” Vrabel said after the game, according to Boston.com. “It was nothing derogatory. You’d have to ask him, I think he was a little sensitive.” Vrabel also acknowledged that he probably should not have sworn, while describing the criticism as language he had used before as a head coach.
The penalty came during a game New England won in Buffalo, but Breer’s reported fine was characterized as discipline for conduct toward officials. The reported terms give Vrabel a path to avoid paying the amount if he maintains good behavior, according to Breer’s account.
What Vrabel said about the reported fine
Vrabel declined to address the specific amount or terms when asked about the report Monday. “I don’t have any comment. Those things are supposed to be held in strict confidence, confidentiality, so I’m not going to comment,” Vrabel said. He repeated that he could not discuss the matter and directed reporters to the league.
He added that he preferred to direct questions about the matter to the league. Vrabel also said officials sometimes miss calls, just as coaches make mistakes and players have bad plays, and emphasized the importance of responding properly to those moments. His comments framed officiating as one part of a game in which errors can come from coaches, players and officials alike.
“There’s going to be bad calls by coaches, there’s going to be bad plays by players, and then once in a while, an official’s going to miss one,” Vrabel said. “How we respond to those things is critical.” He said he appreciates officials who explain what they saw and communicate decisively after a disputed call. He added that he is generally satisfied when officials explain their decisions, even though a call can be second-guessed afterward.
Boston.com reported that the Patriots had committed 55 penalties during the season, the sixth-highest total in the NFL at the time of its article. That figure supplied additional context for Vrabel’s comments about officiating and New England’s response to penalties. He said communication from officials helps him understand their perspective on a play.
When WEEI asked whether the reported fine would change how he interacts with officials, Vrabel answered with a joke: “I just tell them everything’s a great call.” He added that he now thinks about upcoming holidays, children and weddings whenever he is tempted to swear at an official. Vrabel’s quip offered a lighter answer to a question about whether the reported discipline would affect his sideline behavior.
