EAGAN, Minn. — Jaylinn Hawkins admitted the Patriots had a rough joint practice Thursday.
The defense allowed several touchdowns to the Vikings, almost a dozen consecutive completions and generated minimal pressure. After practice, Hawkins walked off the field and into a Mike Vrabel-led team huddle. He believed again.
Vrabel’s messaging, Hawkins said, has resonated with him throughout the summer as the Patriots try once more to overhaul their culture. It’s been a simple message lately, coming off a strong week of practices and a preseason blowout of the Commanders: it’s not good enough. Keep going.
“We’ve never arrived. So, live by that,” Hawkins said. “You know, we consistently want to climb that ladder and get wins.”
Vrabel’s message landed Thursday, when the Patriots’ success against the Commanders in a joint practice and preseason game last week did not help them in Minnesota. Vrabel has stressed accountability in the building after good and bad days. The Patriots are now looking to bounce back Saturday in their preseason game versus Minnesota, which win or lose will only be another step toward where they want to go.
“Building a winning culture is really important to me, and I know it’s really important to coach. So I’m bought in,” Hawkins said. “I’m all the way in. And so whatever I’ve got to do to help the guys get that, I’m gonna do that.”
He later added: “(Vrabel)’s come here to change the culture. And like I said, I’m bought into that because I feel like we can be great. And I feel like our team — we have a lot of good guys. Once we get to gelling more and more, once we get the train rolling more and more, I feel like we have a bright future. So coach’s message every day, day in and day, has been great.”
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