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Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel watches practice drills as the Patriots hold rookie mini camp. (staff photo by Stuart Cahill\/Boston Herald)\nFun facts<\/p>\n
FOXBORO \u2014 Karon Prunty, the Patriots\u2019 fifth-round pick, didn\u2019t want to compare his game to anyone in the NFL, on Saturday during rookie minicamp. But he did acknowledge that Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez is a player that he studies.<\/p>\n
\u201cI watch Christian Gonzalez, Jalen Ramsey, when he was at corner, Jaycee Horn, Pat Surtain,\u201d said Prunty, who stands at 6-foot-1 and 192 pounds. \u201cI like big, tall corners like me, and things I could take from their game and stuff like that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Prunty is spending extra time working on special teams in rookie minicamp and has high aspirations for himself in his roles as a gunner and jammer.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust want to prove I\u2019m going to do whatever for the team, whether it\u2019s playing special teams, running as a gunner, being a Pro Bowler at that, or, you know, getting on the field as a corner and just getting my feet wet,\u201d Prunty said. \u201cThings like that.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Patriots already have a Pro Bowl special teams player on their roster in Brenden Schooler. Matthew Slater was a 10-time Pro Bowl selection in the same role.<\/p>\n
First impressions of Vrabel<\/p>\n
Despite what\u2019s going on his personal life, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel appeared to be like his usual self during Saturday\u2019s rookie minicamp practice.<\/p>\n
Vrabel, 50, was taking hits as a blocking dummy from some of the Patriots\u2019 rookies. He was particularly vocal while giving players instruction during a special teams drill.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s great. I feel like it\u2019s obviously good to have a coach who\u2019s involved,\u201d rookie linebacker Namdi Obiazor said. \u201cSometimes they can kind of be in the back and just let the position coaches kind of do their thing. But I definitely love how Coach Vrabel was involved with practice.\u201d<\/p>\n
Offensive tackle Dametrious Crownover already sees Vrabel helping him get better as a blocker.<\/p>\n
Vrabel played linebacker in the NFL, but he spent time on offense with the Browns in 2025, working with offensive linemen and tight ends.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s great. He\u2019s a great guy, and learned a lot from him already, just from being here last two days (like) what it takes to play offensive line at an elite level,\u201d Crownover said. \u201cHe\u2019s not going to let you slack off. He\u2019s going to stay on you and make sure he\u2019s getting the best out of you.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Patriots have one more day of rookie minicamp on Sunday. Their next formal practices will take place in late May during organized team activities.<\/p>\n
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel watches practice drills as the Patriots hold rookie mini camp. (staff photo by Stuart Cahill\/Boston Herald)
\nFun facts<\/p>\n
The second day of rookie minicamp was like the first day of school for five Patriots draft picks.<\/p>\n
While stepping up to the podium for post-practice press conferences, Patriots rookies were instructed to say their names and present a fun fact about themselves.<\/p>\n
CB Karon Prunty<\/p>\n