01:00 AM EDT on Friday, July 29, 2005

BY TOM E. CURRAN
Journal Sports Writer

Mike Vrabel got a long-term extension yesterday, and there seems to be something brewing contractually for Rodney Harrison.

As for Richard Seymour? The Pro Bowl defensive end was not on hand yesterday as all veterans were due to report.

Seymour was placed on the reserve/did not report list prior to yesterday.

The first practice of camp is at 8:45 this morning, so it won't be long before it's definitively known whether Seymore's coming or not. Seymour has been itching for a renegotiated deal, and stayed away from mini-camp in June in hopes of getting one.

Meanwhile, the agent for Harrison, who expressed displeasure with his deal during mini-camp, indicated he may have news today on a possible bump for the standout safety.

As for Vrabel, his agent, Neil Cornrich, said the new pact is a long-term deal but wouldn't give specifics.

Vrabel's contract ran through 2007, but after 2005 the salary-cap hits that deal contained would have been prohibitive.

"Mike is very appreciative of the opportunity that Bill (Belichick), Scott (Pioli) and the Patriots organization have provided the past few years," Cornrich said. "He decided the opportunity to remain with the Pats was inviting enough to pass on free agency in 2006."

The Patriots also announced that Tedy Bruschi will begin the season on the physically unable to perform list along with returners Tim Dwight, Chad Morton and Bethel Johnson. Those players can be activated at any time during camp. If they are on the list at the start of the season, they can practice with the team beginning after the sixth week and would then have 21 days of practice before the team is forced to make a decision whether to activate the player or put him on injured reserve.

Defensive lineman Ethan Kelley was placed on the non-football injury list, and the Pats signed Rich Musinski, a wide receiver from William & Mary.