The Patriots don’t officially hit the field for training camp until Saturday morning, but Friday was still a newsworthy day at Gillette.
Mike Vrabel held his first press conference prior to the start of camp as players reported officially and went through conditioning tests.
Here’s a few noteworthy nuggets that came out of Day 1:
–DeAndre Hopkins is coaching with the organization. Seriously.
Vrabel said that Hopkins had given him a call hoping to spend some time with the staff dipping his toes into the coaching world. Vrabel said he made sure it was ok with the league and Hopkins will be around the team for the foreseeable future.
Having a veteran presence like that in the room can only be beneficial to players both young and old.
“DeAndre Hopkins is here with us kind of in a …just to check things out as far as what he wants to do as far as coaching. You’ll see him on the field, whether that’s personnel…we talked and he asked if he could come hang out for a couple days and be around the coaches and be around the personnel department. I called the league and made sure that was going to be okay and then I invited him back. That’s where he’s been the last couple of days and he’ll be here the next couple of days.”
-Christian Gonzalez reported
Vrabel said Gonzalez reported on Friday and all signs point to him practicing on Saturday. Vrabel also noted that contract negotiations are ongoing.
The presence of Gonzalez is obviously a big deal for several reasons, but the biggest is that it shows the two sides of in fact negotiating in good faith and that he believes the team will get things done long term.
“He is here and I would expect him to participate. Those contract negotiations are ongoing between the club and his agents and you know, I’m excited about having Christian back here with us and the impact he can make on our football team.”
-Gabe Jacas situation nearing a conclusion?
Second round EDGE Gabe Jacas’ story has been a strange one. Jacas was here the first day of rookie minicamp, but that’s been the only time the media or the team has seen him around the building. With time ticking for the rookie – who was drafted to make a major impact in the pass-rushing department – to get caught up and on the same page as his teammates, the sooner the issue can get resolved, the better for everyone involved. Jacas is currently the only non-QB from the draft not signed and the only second rounder.
Vrabel said that discussions have been ongoing with Jacas and hopefully, he’ll be in the building sooner than later.
“Continuing to work through the contract. I think that those have been positive, obviously between the club and his representatives. Hopefully we’ll get him in here sooner rather than later…I’ve spoken to Gabe personally and again, excited to get him in when he’s under contract.”
-Pats hosting Pawtriots adoption event on Saturday
For the second straight year, fans will be able to adopt dogs at training camp practice on Saturday morning thanks to the Pawtriots Adoption Event. Mike Vrabel stepped up to the podium on Friday holding ‘Bebe’ to kick off promotion of the event.
“You know, something that we did last year, obviously the first day of training camp was the Pawtriots Program that Dana Kraft implemented last year and was really successful. Did a lot of really good work, not only for these dogs, but for the families that adopted them.
“So, I think we’ve got almost 60 dogs this year, so if anybody’s looking to add to their roster at home, we would love for you to be able to adopt these dogs tomorrow.”