Tom Brady talks to the crowd, as shown as the Gillette video board, during his Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremony in June of 2024. Anoher honor will be given Brady with a statue in his likeness to be unveiled at Patriots Place Plaza on Friday. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

The New England Patriots will spice up Friday night’s preseason opener at Gillette Stadium vs. the Washington Commanders with a special pre-game ceremony outside the stadium.

It will be the unveiling of the long awaited Tom Brady Statue, to call its home just outside the Patriots Hall of Fame in Patriots Place Plaza.

The ceremony will take place at 6 p.m., prior to the scheduled 7:30 p.m. kickoff. Fans are encouraged to enter the stadium early as they will be able to watch the ceremony on the video boards inside the facility. The statue is said to be 12 feet high.

Patriots legendary QB Brady will be present for the event, and after the unveiling will address gathered guests at the ceremony, the Patriots said in a release.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft announced his intentions for such an event at Brady’s Patriots Hall of Fame induction in June of 2024.

VRABEL DEALS WITH TURNOVERS

Patriots coach Mike Vrabel was asked about the turnovers in Friday night’s season ticket holder scrimmage inside the stadium.

“I thought we did some really good things, tried to show them that,” he said. “The turnovers are certainly going to get us beat. We had some passes that should have been caught. We had some – I would say, decisions, right? I think. And hopefully when we ask a receiver to run a play like that, that if it’s not there, there’s other ways to get out of the play. If you continue to run, you’ve got a pocket, you can throw it away. So, those are great things to teach on in those specific instances. And Rhamondre (running back Stevenson, who fumbled), 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. 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.”

Vrabel felt there were good things that happened as well.

“But that’s something that – those things that you mentioned, I think, overshadow a lot of the good stuff that we did in a team setting that had the team split up and different guys working with different guys next to them,” he said.

NO GONZALEZ, ETC.

Vrabel said he didn’t expect corners Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis to practice or play this week, and the same for injured veteran receiver Kendrick Bourne.

DC WILLIAMS DEHYDRATED

Defensive coordinator Terrell Williams, who missed the spring due to a medical condition, had to leave practice after falling on the sidelines. The Patriots said he was dehydrated and that this was not connected to his previous medical issues.

He reportedly was able to get up on his own. There was no official word on when he’ll return to the sidelines.

VRABEL MUM ON QB PLANS

Vrabel was asked about the quarterback plans for Friday night’s preseason opener, but no info just yet.

“It’s Monday, we’re focusing on the red zone, focusing on being real precise down there, not going backwards, not hurting ourselves, defense, defending every blade of grass, making sure that we undercut when we see – all the details for the red zone and hopefully that’ll help us in the season,” he said. “That’s where my focus is, getting back to fundamentals, and then when Friday comes around, I’ll try to do my best to let everybody know.”

CAMPBELL IMPROVING?

Vrabel was also asked about rookie offensive lineman Will Campbell, the team’s first round No. 4 pick overall who has been hot and cold, more or less.

“Very coachable player,” Vrabel said. “He’s been out there getting better every day. A lot of versatility in his game and I’m excited about him continuing to work and continue to improve.”