FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:
1. Brady-Vrabel connection: Tom Brady had finished a workout at Boston College two weeks ago when he texted his good pal, former teammate and current Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel, the following message: "Look who I found today." The text included a picture of Brady with Vrabel's son, Tyler, a redshirt freshman offensive lineman at BC.
Among other things, the text reflected a friendship that has endured almost 20 years now. It also reminded Vrabel, 43, how old he is, and how Brady, 41, is still grinding away at a young man's game.