Former Patriots executive Scott Pioli believes that will go a long way toward Vrabel building trust. After the team's Week 3 defeat on Sunday, a game in which Stevenson fumbled the ball twice, Vrabel backed the fifth-year running back. Speaking to reporters on Monday morning, Vrabel said his plan is to ensure the Patriots "practice the crap out of it." Pioli believes players in the locker room will appreciate his public support. "You can still coach hard, but there's also a new kind of player, and this is where Mike Vrabel is very, very smart.