And back in 1997, when Vrabel was a third-round pick by the Steelers trying to make a positive first impression as a rookie, things didn’t go the way he wanted them to. The former Ohio State standout got into a fight on the first day of padded practice.

Mike Vrabel doesn't want to see his Patriots players fight in training camp -- even though he fought in his very first padded practice as a player nearly 30 years ago.

FOXBOROUGH — In his first padded practice as an NFL player in 1997, Mike Vrabel said he fought tight end Mitch Lyons at Pittsburgh Steelers training camp. With almost 30 more years of age and experience, Vrabel wants his current players to avoid punching their teammates.