Mike Vrabel: "I've had some difficult conversations with people that I care about"

Two weeks after Patriots coach Mike Vrabel had very little to say about photos published by the New York Post of Vrabel with former Athletic reporter Dianna Russini, Vrabel had more to say. Vrabel appeared before reporters on Tuesday to make a statement about the situation. "Thank you for your patience that you've shown in a personal and private matter ," Vrabel said, via Kevin Stone of New England Football Journal .

"For me, and obviously everybody involved, I know that that's not easy for you, and I respect that and I appreciate your efforts in doing so. "I understand I could have, you know, addressed you guys sooner, but it was important to me to have a conversation with the players, which I did yesterday, very candidly, as we began our offseason program, which everyone is excited to be a part of. [Patriots V.

P. of communications] Stacy [James] had mentioned the players' [media] availability. It was never my intention to have them speak to you or address you before I did.

So I asked him to come today and talk with you. "You know, I also don't want to take away from our, you know, the draft, the weekend of the draft. This is an important time for us, our organization, and the excitement and the joy that those players are gonna have that we bring onto our football team.