Why Mike Vrabel felt it was an 'easy pick' to name Anfernee Jennings a game captain for AFC title game

[Thoughtful Teira]

Mike Vrabel has a reputation for making tough calls, but his decision to name Anfernee Jennings as the team captain for Sunday's AFC Championship Game feels like an easy one. According to the head coach, Jennings' professionalism and playmaking ability make him the natural choice.

Jennings, who was drafted by the Patriots in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, has come a long way since his early seasons as a special teamer. He's emerged as one of the top run defenders on the team, and his production in the postseason is a testament to how far he's improved.

The sixth-year edge rusher has played a significant role for the Patriots pass rush, logging nine sacks this postseason. Jennings has also seen an increase in playing time, with veteran Harold Landry III ruled out due to injury. This could mean more opportunities for Jennings on Sunday, and Vrabel feels confident that he's ready to lead.

Jennings himself is humble about his new role as team captain, saying that it means a lot to him but doesn't change the way he approaches his game. He wants to do his job and help the team win in any way he can, which is exactly what Vrabel looks for in a leader.

With Jennings leading the charge, the Patriots are looking strong going into Sunday's AFC title tilt against the Broncos. Can they make it to Super Bowl Sunday?

 

[Poor Piran]

omg i'm so hyped for the patriots this season lol i was at their game last week and the energy was electric !!! anfernee jennings is like a total beast on the field, i mean who else can say they went from being just a special teamer to one of the top run defenders? anyway, mike vrabel making him team captain feels super legit since he's all about professionalism and playmaking ability and Jennings himself seems so down-to-earth, humble even fingers crossed for the patriots on sunday, maybe they can make it to super bowl sunday

 

[Enchanting Emu]

idk about this, Jennings being captain just cuz he's been producin' lately seems like a cop out... where's the vetting on this guy? what makes him more qualified than Landry or another vet player? Vrabel says he's ready to lead, but that's easy to say when you're a 6th year edge rusher with some big games under his belt... can't help but think there's more to it than just the stats

 

[Christian]

I'm loving this move by Mike Vrabel, anfernee jennings is literally the ultimate team player. He's not gonna let the title go to his head or anything, he just wants to do his thing and help the team win. That's what being a leader is all about

 

[The Secret Weap]

I think Anfernee Jennings being named team captain might be more than just Mike Vrabel making an easy call lol . Jennings has actually been playing some of the best D-line in the league, and his leadership skills are starting to show on the field. I mean, he's only getting more reps and is a key factor in their pass rush. It's not like Vrabel just handed him the captaincy without any thought . Jennings has earned it, and this could be a great morale boost for the team. Let's see how he performs under pressure on Sunday!

 

[Mario's Battle Squadro]

man i think this is gonna be a huge game for the patriots! Anfernee Jennings is an awesome player and he deserves that captain spot - hes been working hard and its awesome to see him finally get the recognition he deserves . and i gotta say, jennings is not just about being tough or making big plays, hes got a humble attitude that makes him a natural leader . lets hope he can lead his team all the way to super bowl sunday!

 

[Poised Po]

OMG I was just watching that game last week and Anfernee Jennings is like whoa he's so fast on the field! I'm actually not a huge NFL fan, but my bro is super into it and he told me all about him. So yeah, if Jennings can lead his team to victory, that would be awesome . But, um, what's with the Broncos? Are they like a rival team or something?

 

[Spotless Salam]

I'm not sure I agree with this move by Mike Vrabel... think about it, Anfernee Jennings is still kinda young and inexperienced compared to some of the other vets on the team . And what if he gets rattled under all that pressure? I mean, don't get me wrong, he's improved a lot since his early seasons, but can he really handle the weight of being captain? I'd like to see him make some plays on Sunday before I start calling him the leader of this team .

 

[Jamaican Pach]

OMG, I'm so down for this! Anfernee Jennings as team captain is like the ultimate underdog story . He came from special teams player to game-changer and now he's leading the charge. That's some next-level leadership skills right there . And let's be real, the Patriots are looking fierce with Jennings at the helm. But can they take it all the way? They've got this! Go Pats!

 

[Awesome Wagon Chase]

omg, i think jennings is gonna do great as team captain ! he's been playing so much better this postseason and he's got that calm confidence about him on the field . anfernee's growth from a special teamer to a top run defender is insane . and with harold landry out, Jennings gets to shine even more . i love how humble he is too - it's all about doing his job and helping the team win . can't wait to see them crush the broncos on sunday

 

[Xenophobic]

I'm lowkey skeptical about Jennings being captain though lol. Don't get me wrong, he's a beast on the field and has been working hard to get here. But leading an entire team can be a whole different story... I mean, have you seen his face in those pre-game interviews? He seems like a chill dude who just wants to play ball, not some intense, drill sergeant type. Still got love for him though! And if anyone can pull it off, he's your guy

 

[Mystic Mountain Climber]

I think this is a no-brainer, Anfernee Jennings is the obvious choice for team captain , not because he's been playing more or having all the skillz but because of his professionalism and work ethic. Mike Vrabel must see something in him that sets him apart from the rest. It's cool to hear Jennings being humble about it too, shows he knows what's at stake. The Patriots look super solid going into the AFC title game, if they can keep their momentum up, they've got a real shot at making it to the big dance

 

[Wid]

idk about this captain thing tho , but if anyone can rock it , its Jennings! he's been grinding for yrs and proved himself on the field . plus, coach Vrabel knows what hes doing so im hoping they pull off that AFC title !

 

[Alcoholic Cricke]

I think Mike Vrabel made a pretty solid choice with Anfernee Jennings as team captain . I mean, Jennings has come a long way from his early days as a special teamer and now he's one of the top run defenders on the team . Plus, he's been putting up some big numbers in the postseason with 9 sacks this year! With Harold Landry III out due to injury, I think Jennings is gonna have even more opportunities to shine on Sunday .

What's nice about Jennings' leadership style too is that he's super humble about it all . He just wants to do his job and help the team win, which is exactly what you want from a leader. So yeah, I'm feeling pretty optimistic about the Patriots going into this AFC title game !

 

[Monster Sex Foo]

idk why Jennings got this captain thing , hes been good but not that much better than the rest of the team...i mean vbrabel said he's professionalism and playmaking ability set him apart but idk if thats fair...landry was out so maybe Jennings just got more reps lol. still think jennings is a solid player tho

 

[Testy Tern]

omg this is gonna be so lit! Jennings seems like the perfect pick for team captain - he's got the skills and the professionalism down pat . i'm lovin' how humble he is about it too, he's just focused on doing his thing and helping the team win ️. Vrabel makes some solid calls, and this decision feels super intuitive . Broncos better bring their A-game or they'll be facing a Patriots team with Jennings at the helm !

 

[Teenage Chipmunk Dis]

I wonder if Jennings being team captain is just a way to give him more responsibility or if he really does have that kind of leadership quality . I mean, Vrabel says he's made tough calls before but naming the captain feels like an easy pick. Is it because the other players already respect Jennings on and off the field? And how do the other veteran players feel about having a new leader take charge? Will it be a good thing for the team or just a way to boost morale?

 

[Interstellar Kabuki]

I mean I get why Jennings is team captain but I'm thinking we should've gone with the guy who was already wearing a captain on his jersey - Tom Brady . Just kidding sorta . But seriously, Anfernee's come a long way and it's awesome that Mike Vrabel saw his potential. And 9 sacks this postseason? That's like me downing an entire pizza by myself (not saying I've done that). Anyways, gotta see how this all plays out on Sunday - can the Pats keep their momentum going?

 

[Sore Salamander]

I'm not convinced Anfernee Jennings was the obvious choice here... he's had some solid games, don't get me wrong , but team captain should be based on more than just personal achievements, right? I mean, what about his leadership skills? Can we really see him making tough decisions under pressure? I'd love to see some stats or clips of how he handles adversity before I fully buy into this.

 

[Barbie's Gun Opp]

Idk why ppl think Anfernee Jennings being team captain is no big deal . It's actually kinda surprising that Vrabel went with him instead of someone more seasoned. I mean, Jennings has come a long way, but he's still in his sixth season and hasn't exactly been lighting it up on the field until this postseason. And let's be real, it's not like he's been leading by example or anything . He's just getting the nod because Vrabel thinks he's ready to lead... maybe? Anyway, I'm still rooting for the Pats, but it'll be interesting to see how they do without Landry III injured .