New England Patriots defensive coordinator Terrell Williams missed spring training with the team due to a health scare that left him unable to attend practices.
Williams was still in contact with the teams through Zoom, but was unable to have face-to-face meetings with the defense.
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel confirmed a day before the start of veteran-reported training camp that Terrell Williams was back with the team.
“Big T is here, ready to go,” Vrabel said before the start of training camp. “He’s been out on the field with us the last couple of days. Players were excited to see him. I was excited to see him. And we’ll move forward.”
Two Patriot defenders spoke to the media after the first day of training camp and talked about having their defensive coordinator on the field.
Robert Spillane
GettyNew Patriots linebacker Robert Spillane
The Patriots signed linebacker Robert Spillane to a three-year, $33 million deal to lead the linebacker group.
When asked by a reporter about having Williams present on the field and coaching.
“It means everything,” Spillane said. “A great defensive mind. A guy who’s been in this league a long time. Has a lot of wisdom, has a lot of understanding.”
“His same messaging is effort and finish every play. So, we’re just going to continue to keep working on that.”
While not playing at the defensive line position, Spillane was part of the Tennessee Titans squad when Vrabel was the head coach and Terrell Williams was the D-line coach.
Milton Williams
GettyNew England Patriots defensive lineman Milton Williams.
Reinforcing the Patriots’ defensive line is Super Bowl LIX champion Milton Williams, who signed a four-year, $104 million contract with New England.
Milton told reporters after the first day of training camp what it’s like having Terrell back with the team.
“It’s good to see him,” Milton said. “That was a hard thing he had to deal with, you know. You don’t never know if you could be able to make it back from something like that. It’s good to see him out here. Calling plays and just getting back into the groove of things. It’s going to be fun once he gets back to himself.”
Milton said that his new defensive coordinator has extra smack talking when it comes to Terrell’s history coaching the defensive line as a former defensive linemen coach.
“It’s fun to just have a guy like that, that’s been around for a long time. Coached a lot of great players,” Milton said. “Just to pick his brain and see what you can add to your game from some of the legends he has coached. It’s good to have him.”
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