Mike Vrabel Needles Reporters Before Patriots Press Conference

Mike Vrabel is going to have his fun with the media.

That started back at his introductory press conference for the New England Patriots in January, jokingly asking for more applause.

The Patriots opened rookie minicamp Friday at Gillette Stadium and had to sneak some comments in to reporters standing along the sides of the media workroom rather than sitting in the middle.

“Is that where you guys stand?” Vrabel jokingly jabbed reporters, per team-provided video. “We’ll talk about that. We’ll talk about that later. I’d like to be able to see your pretty faces over there. Appreciate you guys coming out here to cover us.”

The Patriots had plenty of turnover through the first few months of Vrabel’s tenure with a new coaching staff, impact free-agent signings and a thorough draft class. New England has two and a half more months of work before training camp opens in late July.