Vrabel on Gonzalez's Frustration: Players Free to Feel

After the Patriots' preseason finale loss, coach Mike Vrabel acknowledged Gonzalez's frustration with the pace of contract talks. "I understand that this is probably something that's difficult," Vrabel said. "I've never been in that position to this extent. Try to treat it with class, but he and I communicate, and our players are always free to feel how they feel."

The sides don't appear close on an extension, with Gonzalez under contract for the next two seasons scheduled to make $2.259 million this year. The Seahawks recently signed cornerback Devon Witherspoon to a four-year, $132 million deal, which could provide a template for the Patriots. sport-tr.bet