Mike Vrabel, puppy in hand, jokingly quizzed reporters on first day of Patriots training camp
"We're all in this honeymoon stage right now. It's all fun."
Patriots training camp is off and running, and first-year head coach Mike Vrabel is already in midseason form when it comes to his media banter.
For his pre-practice press conference prior to the team’s first official day of training camp, Vrabel strode to the microphone on Wednesday with a puppy named Nash clutched under his arm. It’s part of the team’s second Pet Adoption Day (sponsored by the Kraft family via The Patriots Foundation in coordination with local animal shelters).
“You’re going to be a star today,” Vrabel told Nash as he walked out.
Upon reaching the media scrum, Vrabel introduced Nash and then jumped into questions as his team formally begins its preparations for the 2025 season.
In what is already a pronounced difference from the Bill Belichick era, Vrabel displayed his humor and wit in sparring with reporters.
On Tuesday, in a pre-training camp press conference, Vrabel scolded Boston Globe reporter Ben Volin for not paying attention to an earlier question.
“I mean, whether you were in a coma when I answered Tom [Curran’s] question, or typing on your phone or tweeting, I don’t know, but I spent five minutes answering that question. I can go back through it, but I’d rather not,” he said.
“So I’ll hopefully be able to answer that question — only once — in a few days,” he concluded, flashing a smile.
Volin owned the moment, later sharing on social media: “Flag on the play. 5 yard penalty. Total lack of focus.“
The theme continued on Wednesday. Asked a somewhat similar question to Volin’s, Vrabel circled back on the joke.
“Well, again, if you want to talk about the conditioning, I’m happy to revisit it. I thought we went [into] great detail yesterday, but maybe not,” he said.
Vrabel grinned, joking about the early point of his arc in New England.
“We’re all in this honeymoon stage right now. It’s all fun.”
After the reporter apologized for bringing up the topic yet again, Vrabel quickly added that “you don’t need to apologize.”
The former New England pass-rusher answered a bevy of questions from Patriots reporters, but eventually found a way to rattle them again.
When he responded to a question about what he thinks would be a “successful training camp” for the Patriots, Vrabel asked if anyone could remember what his objectives for preseason were (as stated on the previous day).
“Do you remember?” Vrabel queried. The reporter acknowledged that he did not.
“Build a team,” Vrabel reminded the group. “Earn a role. You remember the last one? Prepare to win.”
Assessing that none of the reporters remembered his three objectives, the Patriots’ coach couldn’t resist roasting them one more time.
“You guys are on fire today. We’re off to a great start.”
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com