Mike Vrabel doesn't hand out compliments lightly. So when the Patriots head coach says he's \"excited about where\" Caleb Lomu is at and praises his coachability, it's worth taking seriously. Lomu getting reps at both right and left tackle today isn't just depth chart shuffling—it's an audition for meaningful snaps.
The tackle market is brutal. Finding even serviceable bookends requires a combination of size, athleticism, and the willingness to actually absorb coaching. Vrabel, who coached the defensive line in Tennessee before taking over here, knows what he's looking at on the tape. If he's genuinely excited, that means Lomu is doing something right.
The fact that Lomu is getting work at both spots matters too. It suggests the Patriots aren't pigeonholing him into one role. They're evaluating his versatility, which increases his value both as a contributor and a movable asset. In today's NFL, linemen who can slide around provide flexibility that single-position guys simply can't match.
Whether Lomu becomes a reliable starter or remains a quality reserve, this is the kind of development cycle you need to see in spring. Real competition. Real reps. Real coaching investment. That's how young linemen either break through or expose their limitations.