Patriots Daily: Vrabel to Wisconsin; Cardona Wins Salute to Service

After being shut out of an NFL head coaching job, Mike Vrabel has reportedly found a new home. The New England Patriots Hall of Fame linebacker will be joining the University of Wisconsin Badgers. Luke Fickell, Wisconsin’s head coach, said in a radio interview on Wednesday that Vrabel would be attending spring practices. No specific title or role was stated, only that Vrabel would be “involved” with the Badgers program.

The Tennessee Titans fired Vrabel as their head coach following the 2023 season. He had been the Titans head coach for six seasons. He finished with a 54-45 record, reaching the playoffs three times. Vrabel both played for and coached for Ohio State. He will now be assisting one of their Big Ten rivals.

Joe Cardona Wins NFL’s Salute to Service Award

Congratulations to New England Patriots long-snapper Joe Cardona. The veteran was named winner of the NFL’s annual Salute to Service Award. He is the first representative from New England to win the award in its 13-year history.

Each NFL team nominates one employee for the annual award. Cardona was joined among the finalists by Green Bay Packers RB Aaron Jones and San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle. Cardona’s nomination letter from the New England Patriots can be viewed here: Joe Cardona. Also from Patriots.com:

“The Salute to Service Award is part of USAA and the NFL’s year-round commitment to honor, empower, and connect with our nation’s service members, veterans, and their families. The 32 nominees from each NFL team were announced in November and consisted of active and retired players, coaches, and team executives and personnel who best demonstrated support for the military community.”

Cardona joins an impressive list of Patriots players acknowledged for the work away from the field this season. This includes Jonthan Jones, David Andrews, and Lawrence Guy.

Also in today’s Patriots Daily…

New England Patriots

Patriots Football Now – Meet the newest New England Patriot: Kawaan Baker

Patriots Football Now – Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski show support for Bill Belichick

New England Patriots Staff

Patriots Football Now – Patriots Rumors: T.C. McCartney targeted as QB coach

Patriots Football Now – Alonzo Highsmith gets added to New England’s front office

NFL Draft

Patriots Football Now – Patriots Rumors: Wolf might want offensive tackle at three

Patriots Football Now – NFL Mock Draft 2.0

NFL News

NFL.com – Eric Bienemy spoke to Chiefs players ahead of AFC Championship Game

Pro Football Network – Dallas RB Tony Pollard didn’t realize Dan Quinn left the Cowboys

Yardbarker –Former Panthers head coach wanted to draft Brock Purdy

ESPN – Tom Brady surprised Bill Belichick didn’t land a head coach job

Boston Bruins

Go over to our sibling site Boston Hockey Now to check out the great Boston Bruins coverage from Jimmy Murphy and the BHN team. The NHL season is underway and plenty is happening in the Bruins 100 Anniversary season.

Subscribe here or at BHN to get a subscription to both sites. Subscribers get bonus coverage such as NFL Draft scouting reports and weekly NFL Power Rankings. It also provides a completely ad-free experience on the sites.

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Football Fun Fact of the Day

Twenty-two NFL players have played in at least five Super Bowls. However, only one of them is undefeated, while two others have no Super Bowl rings.

Charles Haley went 5-0 playing for San Francisco (two) and Dallas (three). On the opposite end of the spectrum, both Cornelius Bennett and Glenn Parker went 0-5. The two were teammates for four consecutive losses with the Buffalo Bills. Bennett lost a fifth Super Bowl playing for Atlanta (1998), while Parker lost his fifth with the New York Giants (2001).

Tweet of the Day

Tweet of the Day comes from New England Patriots captain Deatrich Wise, celebrating his induction into the Hebron High School Hall of Fame (side note: Wise was a high school teammate of Seattle Seahawks safety Jamal Adams)…

This is truly an honor to be inducted into the Hebron High School Hall of Fame ! https://t.co/HqYaGjaELu

— Deatrich wise (@wisehog94) February 7, 2024