I am praying for a speedy recovery for Terrell Williams but he should not return as defensive coordinator

He’s relatively inexperienced, never called plays before.

He got sick and had to miss a good portion of the off-season.

He got sick again during the regular season with something that’s apparently different than the first time. He has missed multiple games, it was just reported now he’s going to miss next week‘s game as well.

I hope I’m not coming across as cruel, but perhaps for his own health he shouldn’t return.

I think he should basically quietly step down and whoever his number two is takes on the job . He could be an advisor for the rest of this year.

Honestly, I wouldn’t mind if Vrabel just wanted to give his buddy a job to be an advisor into the future that’s fine but we can’t keep doing this.

33 comments

  2. You’re gonna get flamed on this sub for this take but you’re 100% correct. It’s not cruel, it’s just reality. I said it last week (to many downvotes) and I’ll say it again: this defense is full of guys who never played together before this season and they need consistency from the coaching staff, not more question marks.

  3. I think he will be good calling plays and he has a nice resume. Obviously not being able to be with the team and missing games is not ideal but we also don’t know exactly what’s going on if it’s a long term or short term issue he is dealing with.

  6. That posted picture isn’t doing Williams any favours. Big guys like him in his 50s are only going to have worse health problems 

  9. He’s morbidly obese & in his 50’s…he’s not going to be able to do the job without stroking out

  10. Based on Vrabel’s comments today, it sounds like this is happening, with Williams taking on a new role with the team, but they don’t want to say anything official until the health situation is clearer to explain and navigate.

  11. Im with OP on this. And its no shade on Tyrell but if hes genuinely not well enough to do the job then for his own sake he shouldnt. Not fair on anyone. Like op said keep him on as advisor to whatever level his health allows

    Obviously we have no idea whats going on but if it is all an issue with his health hope he can beat it and get better

  12. Yeah I’m going to give a really hot take here and say that Mike Vrabel knows what is best for the team.

  14. Yup this is the correct stance. He needs to step down and maybe just be an advisor, let our current guy be an interim DC to see how he does and go from there. If we need to bring someone in next year then let’s do it

  17. I got no beef with him or anything but imho you’re right. He should step down and resolve these issues. Hell, hire him again if he does and he is a good fit. I just feel bad for him and our job shouldn’t come at the expense of our health.

  18. Terrible look, and really just true evil CEO type shit by Patriots to let go of their DC because he’s having health issues.

    He isn’t hurting the team by advising while someone else fills in. This is the kind of thing they’ll sit down during the off-season and figure out whats best for Williams and the team.

  20. As of right now? It makes sense for him to focus on his health and we can deal with the future later. You let Kuhr call this and if he succeeds with this group he can be a name to consider.

    Nothing is more important than his health.

    At the same point? If Williams health needs a longer time to recover? Why not have him step down into an advisory role or assistant coach while not only he focuses on his health he isnt out of a job?

    If hes good to go and has a clear bill of health come Jan? Then we probably ride with him. Right now I dont know if we should expect him back this year.

  21. It’s not cruel. Each of us that’s employed to do a particular job needs to actually do that job. Being there is a huge part of that. Obviously.

    He’s not here due to health which sucks. He seems well loved and I really liked what he had to say about his defensive identity, what he wants from his unit. But he’s not here.

    Hopefully he can get to a point where he can be the coordinator but yo-yoing the D players isn’t doing anyone any good. Name an interim. If he can come back next year? Great. If not then ok we move on. It’s just the nature of things.

  22. It all depends on his health, and on how confident they are in his replacement. If it’s going well with Zak Kuhr and the rest of the staff with Williams in an advisory role, then by all means keep that going.

    If we have the worst defense in the NFL by week 8, and Terrell Williams has a clean bill of health, and a lot to contribute on the sideline, I don’t see why you would say no he shouldn’t return.

    Since both of these things are being kept secret for now, I don’t think we can know

  23. I was thinking about this earlier today, cant be a DC and not be around to coach. The question is will they hire a proven guy again in the off-season or promote from within?

  24. This has been going on since the spring and the blame sits squarely with Vrabel. He should have made this change months ago and loyalty to his buddy hurt the team

  25. I understand but don’t agree with this take, and its not about virtue signaling.

    Right now, he isn’t the defensive coordinator. He’s a defensive assistant. Zac Kuhr is calling the plays. The players know this and the other coaches know this. I am sure the dynamic in the coaching room during prep is not Terrell Williams being a dictator and everyone being confused – he is likely helping where he can in film review and making suggesting to help with the plan that Vrabel and Kuhr also review and ultimately own.

    I think its easy for a fan to observe and say ‘his job is important and he isn’t able to do it must be hurting the team’ but coaching is always a group effort and I’m sure they have adapted behind the scenes. As an example – Steve Belichick and Mayo were in that odd co-defensive coordinator where neither of them had the title and the Patriots were #1 in defense the last year they ran that setup.

  29. Go to the titans sub and say this.

    Vrabel wants “his guys” for better or worse (sound familiar?) and will hang onto those much longer than he should. It cost him his job in Tennessee.

    Maybe he learned from his mistakes (I hope so) but if he runs this team the way he ran the titans it’s unlikely you get your wish.

  30. This is a very under looked detail to the new patriots. Sucks not having a true defensive coordinator on a rebuilding team with young players. Still, no excuses… but I feel like nobody really mentions that.

  31. Terrell Williams probably was on his way to getting head coaching consideration heading into this season before the setbacks. No, I get what you’re saying but the man knows defense better than the guy who was calling plays on Sunday. He’s the best they have and any alternative option is a major downgrade.

  33. Are we already in the “what coach do we blame and fire” mode?

    C’mon give it at least half a season before starting this shit

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