Troy Brown back with the Patriots!

Troy Brown is healthy and will be given a chance to show what he can do in training camp as today Brown was again signed by the New England Patriots for a 15th season!
The 36 year old Brown’s whole career has been with the Patriots at wide receiver, kickoff and punt returns, defensive back and (AHEM!) back-up quarterback.
Patriots fans were quick to react at Boston.com’s message board in Brown is Back.
According to the Patriots.com Alumni update:

Career Transactions
Troy Brown was selected by the Patriots in the eighth round of the 1993 NFL draft (198th overall) … Placed on injured reserve (quadriceps) on Dec. 31, 1993 … Waived (08/28/94) … Re-signed (10/19/94) … Re-signed as a restricted free agent (02/02/96) … Re-signed as an unrestricted free agent (03/10/97) … Re-signed as an unrestricted free agent (02/28/00) … Re-signed as an unrestricted free agent (05/23/05).

Add to that a great 2006 season as offensive captain, became the Patriots All-Time leading receiver with 577 catches, second in receiving yardage at 6,366 yards and All-Time leader in punt return yardage with 2,570 yards! Now a legendary comeback after offseason knee surgery to continue his career the 2007 season!
The Patriots capture and release program (as noted above), to then only be recaptured and released. Troy realizes more then anyone what the Patriots team is about and Bill Belichick respects Brown’s knowledge of the Pats system.
Troy is the definition of a Patriots player – so to Patriot Nation it is not about the money for him or the team (it would most likely be veteran minimum with the Pats) – it would be more about contribution.
Troy feels he can contribute and the Bill has agreed the Patriots can utilize him with this signing.
As noted by the Boston Globe’s Mike Reiss, Troy’s return will be a tough challenge as the list of receivers expected to be in training camp will now be thirteen:

Troy Brown
Reche Caldwell
Bam Childress
Chris Dunlap
Jabar Gaffney
Chad Jackson
C.J. Jones
Kelvin Kight
Randy Moss
Jonathan Smith
Donte’ Stallworth
Kelley Washington
Wes Welker

It is fair to say Brown will be with the team on opening day, but it will not be easy.
Brown will be a player contributing on many levels including help ing Marshall alumni Randy Moss adjust to the Patriot environment (ha! Brown knows Bill!) and even may help assist new wide receivers coach Nick Caserio.
The Boston Herald John Tomasse notes:

…the Pats likely to keep only five or six wideouts, Brown will battle Washington, Gaffney and Caldwell for the final two to three spots. Jackson, who underwent offseason knee surgery of his own, will probably start the year on the physically unable to perform list.
Brown has versatility on his side, given his ability to play defensive back in dime packages, as well as on special teams. Heís likely to lose reps in the slot, however, to Welker, a 26-year-old with a game remarkably similar to that of Brownís younger days.

That is pretty accurate, however, as an old fat guy sitting sit in my office, I often look out onto the office floor and see the newbies, juniors, cheap hires ñ what ever you want to call them ñ and sigh.
The younginsí have talent and are eager to do well, but still do not know how the system works or how to perform at a higher level. They think I am half a step behind them, yet I am years ahead of them. So it may be similar for Troy Brown as he plans to return to the field in 2007.
Brown knows Bill Belichick and Tom Brady and he knows what is expected. Brown will continue to deliver when, where and how the Patriots need him to build and improve a winning team.
Brown has mentioned he would coach in the future, but you never know if Bill would convince him to stay if (worst case scenario) that is Brown’s role in 2007.
That being said – It will be a sad day when number 80 is no longer in the locker room. It will happen eventually….. but until then we have training camp!
IN TROY WE TRUST!