Karen Guregian: How much rope is Mike Vrabel willing to give Rhamondre Stevenson?

FOXBOROUGH – Rhamondre Stevenson fumbled seven times last year. That’s no secret.

The extent of his punishment?

He was held back a series or two during the games he fumbled. And while it appeared former Patriots coach Jerod Mayo was going to bench Stevenson for the start of one game, it didn’t happen.

What will Mike Vrabel’s approach be?

For now, listening to the new man in charge, Stevenson is operating with a “clean slate.”

But that slate now includes a fumble during Friday’s night’s in-stadium scrimmage. Stevenson had the ball punched out by defensive back Brandon Crossley.

Good play by Crossley, an undrafted rookie. Poor security by a runner who is trying to conquer his fumbling demons.

The pertinent question going forward?

How much rope will Vrabel give Stevenson before either utilizing Antonio Gibson more, or simply handing the reins to rookie TreVeyon Henderson, who continues to shine during camp?

During Monday’s padded affair, the 10th practice of training camp, Henderson caught 5 passes, 3 for touchdowns. The former Ohio State star has also dazzled with his legs, flashing incredible burst.

Vrabel, meanwhile, has been a bit coy on the subject. He hasn’t come out and necessarily criticized or warned the veteran runner.

Instead, he talks about liking what Stevenson brings to the table – save for the fumbles – and points to other elements that have contributed to his putting the ball on the ground.

“Some of that is technique, some of that is the second guy in,” Vrabel said Monday with respect to Stevenson’s Friday night blunder. “A lot of times on fumbles, if you want to talk fumbles and ball security, I’m happy to do that, but one person’s got to have the ball in their hand every play offensively, and the rest of those 10 players are going to be responsible for protecting the guy with the ball.

“And so, yep, there were some instances where he put it on the ground, and there were some instances where the second guy came in, and we need to eliminate the second guy from coming in by the way that we play and our play demeanor and the way that we finish.”

Of course, Stevenson, like Henderson, is also a dual threat coming out of the backfield. He made a play in the end zone to catch a pass from Drake Maye on another wild scramble from the quarterback. Vrabel likes Stevenson’s toughness and ability to make plays.

But then again, in the next breath, Vrabel says: “Turnovers are certainly going to get us beat.”

The Patriots can’t take advantage of other team’s mistakes and bad football – one of Vrabel’s stated goals – if they can’t eliminate it from their own game.

Friday night’s scrimmage was punctuated by miscues by the offense as a whole, whether it was Maye throwing a pair of picks, or Stevenson putting the ball on the ground. In all, the offense had five turnovers.

“(For) Rhamondre, when you make a great cut and you break through, know that every team in the league, and hopefully ours is one of those teams, that the guys are coming to the ball and they’re going to come and hammer it and they’re going to play full tilt to the tackle,” Vrabel said. “And so, cut, great cut, good job in the open field and, unfortunately we’ll have to continue to rep that and take care of football.”

It’s training camp. So Vrabel made it sound like more of a teaching tool, showing players what not to do.

When the regular season comes, however, and if Stevenson can’t stop fumbling, it’s doubtful Vrabel will be as forgiving. He won’t give him as much rope. He has a couple of other good backs in waiting.

And Stevenson knows it.

The Patriots lead back is well aware he can’t be fumble prone and expect to stay in the lineup, especially with this head coach.

“It’s my job to keep the ball and secure the ball. We know how that went last year,” Stevenson said following Monday’s workout. “I’m trying to put that behind me. But I’m just making a conscious effort to keep the ball in my hands.”

Asked if Vrabel had gotten in his ear after Friday’s miscue, Stevenson wouldn’t answer directly.

“It’s kind of obvious. I’m a running back. I have to carry the ball and keep it up,” he said. “Whether he says something to me or not, I know I did the team an injustice by doing that. So I gotta be better personally, and for this team.”

Beyond trying to better hold onto the football to improve his game, Stevenson has noticeably lost weight in an attempt to become more explosive.

He says he feels good. He knows if he keeps the ball secure, the rest will take care of itself.

“I’m very confident in what I an do with the ball in my hands when I have it, and can secure it,” he said. “I think just holding onto the ball, everything else will come with it.”