Why Vrabel named Anfernee Jennings a recreation captain for AFC title recreation
New England Patriots
Jennings, who the group drafted in 2020, is the Patriots’ longest-tenured participant.
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel is honoring the group’s longest-tenured participant in a neat manner for Sunday’s AFC Championship Sport.
Edge rusher Anfernee Jennings might be a group captain when the Patriots tackle the Broncos in Denver on Sunday, Vrabel shared on Friday.
“Very well. He’s going to be a recreation captain, and that’s deservedly so,” Vrabel advised reporters when requested how he felt Jennings has carried out over the previous couple of video games. “He has a professionalism that he’s proven all through this complete season. Respect it, recognize him making the most of his alternatives, taking part in bodily, taking part in on particular groups, discovering a job.
“So once more, that was a straightforward choose for me this week.”
Whereas every group has a handful of captains (the Patriots have six), there are some weeks when a group may designate a participant to be a captain for a selected recreation. When a participant will get that honor, they normally participate within the opening coin toss.
Jennings, who the Patriots drafted within the third spherical of the 2020 NFL Draft, mentioned that he discovered he was going to be the group’s recreation captain for Sunday when Vrabel confirmed his highschool highlights throughout a group assembly on Friday. In one of many highlights, Jennings threw a landing and advised reporters that it was a “dope” feeling to understand in that second he was going to be a recreation captain for Sunday’s AFC title tilt.
“It means quite a bit,” Jennings advised reporters, through MassLive’s Mark Daniels. “Simply put my head down and work and management what I can management. I’m making an attempt to do my job and assist the group win in any manner I can. We’re at this level and it’s a blessing, however nothing modifications. I nonetheless need to assist my group win, put my finest foot ahead, exit and have enjoyable with the fellows.”
Jennings has performed a noticeable position for a Patriots cross rush that’s logged 9 sacks to this point this postseason. The sixth-year edge rusher is answerable for two of these sacks, matching his whole from the common season. Jennings has logged a sack in every playoff recreation, including six pressures this postseason, per Professional Soccer Focus.
Whereas Jennings has seen a discount in defensive snaps this 12 months from final 12 months, his manufacturing within the postseason is an indication of how far he’s come since his early seasons with the Patriots. He was primarily a particular teamer in his first couple of years, lacking your entire 2021 season resulting from damage.
Jennings had a surgence, although, in 2023. He had 66 whole tackles that 12 months and 78 whole tackles in 2024, rising as one of many recreation’s high run defenders over that stretch. PFF graded Jennings as its fifth-best edge participant at stopping the run out of 114 gamers in 2023.
Jennings might see some extra taking part in time on Sunday as effectively. Veteran edge rusher Harold Landry III has been dominated out with a knee damage, leaving some snaps open at edge rusher for Sunday’s title tilt.
Get the most recent Boston sports activities information
Obtain updates in your favourite Boston groups, straight from our newsroom to your inbox.
