'Old man' Vrabel back at practice

Veteran removed from the PUP list

FOXBOROUGH - Outside linebacker Mike Vrabel returned to the practice field yesterday with a clean bill of health and his usual sense of humor. Asked why he started the preseason on the physically unable to perform list, missing the first 17 practices of training camp, he was quick with a reply.

"Old age," he said. "I was trying to get some rest, get back healthy. You realize how quick of an offseason it is when you play into February and you're not as healthy as you've been in the past. You need a couple extra weeks going into training camp."

Vrabel, who turns 33 Aug. 14, might be on the back nine of NFL life, but he's proven to be still effective. His 12 1/2 sacks last season led the Patriots.

Having spent the majority of his offseason in his native Ohio ("It's so beautiful in the winter"), Vrabel said he reflected on the 2007 season and ways he can get better. Not surprisingly, he focused on one area of his expertise: rushing the passer.

"I just think that overall, you get to this stage of your career, you want to do better on third down, and I'd like to finish off some of those close sacks - instead of making them pressures, trying to find a way to finish," he said.

Vrabel also pointed out that the Patriots' ability to generate pressure with the standard four rushers is an area of focus in training camp.

He said that just as he's learned from coach Bill Belichick that successful teams must stop the run when they know the opposition wants to run, the same is true in the passing game.

"Third and 8, they drop back, I think those are the opportunities when we have to put the pressure on," he said. "You can't always blitz. It can't always be six guys, so it's going to be up to the guys up front, to be able to rush four guys and get some pressure."

Vrabel, who likely won't suit up in tomorrow night's exhibition opener against Baltimore, expressed excitement about his return to the field. Prior to yesterday, he had been spending time with the training and weight staff, or in the film room going over the defense, when his teammates were on the field.

Vrabel likes what he's seen from the rookie linebackers, a group that includes first-round draft choice Jerod Mayo, third-rounder Shawn Crable, and rookie free agents Gary Guyton and Vince Redd.

"I think they are just a good group of guys, they're fun to be around in the meetings, and I think they put football first," he said. "They are young and energetic, they enjoy playing football, and they think that we can offer them some kind of advice. I think the older guys get a kick out of it because they ask us stuff, and we try to help them because those are the guys we'll be playing with all year."

Vrabel reflected on his younger days when he was with the Steelers, and saw older players such as Carnell Lake, Dermontti Dawson, and Jerome Bettis enjoying the game. He said that rubbed off on him, just as he believes the presence of veteran players in New England does the same to the rookies.

"I think guys can appreciate [players] like Tedy Bruschi and Rodney [ Harrison] and guys like that who come out here and have fun coming playing football," he said. "They try to follow in their footsteps."

Game time
Belichick said yesterday was a transition day for the Patriots, with the team shifting from a training camp feel to locking in on tomorrow night's game. "Everything we do until game time builds up to that point," he said.

Based on Belichick's comments, and with quarterback Tom Brady getting a day off from practice, the tea leaves suggest that perhaps Brady won't be suiting up tomorrow night. Receiver Randy Moss also didn't practice.

One reason the Patriots might consider sitting Brady is that it offers the opportunity to better evaluate the backup quarterbacks: Matt Cassel, Matt Gutierrez, and rookie Kevin O'Connell.

Belichick said in the morning that no final decisions had been made on playing time. He acknowledged that when it comes to evaluating quarterbacks, there is simply no substitute for games.

"It's true for all positions, but particularly quarterbacks - game situations and conditions are different than practice; that will be when they are getting hit and situations change from play to play," he said. "There really isn't any contact for the quarterbacks in training camp, and when the game starts, it is a little bit of a different story."

Silent treatment
Belichick said the Patriots will not use the communication device in a defensive player's helmet tomorrow night . . . Rookie cornerback Jonathan Wilhite, who appeared to pull up in Monday night's practice while covering receiver Wes Welker, did not participate in yesterday's session . . . Veteran cornerback Jason Webster missed his 13th straight practice with an undisclosed ailment . . . Others missing practice were Harrison, receiver Kelley Washington, running back Sammy Morris, cornerback Mike Richardson, safety James Sanders, running back Kyle Eckel, and offensive linemen Ryan O'Callaghan and Matt Light.