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August 23, 2006

Caldwell gets open

FOXBORO -- Wide receiver Reche Caldwell has been the silent wideout since training camp began. With Deion Branch holding out and rookie Chad Jackson injured, Caldwell has been the team's most talented and experienced receiver. But he hasn't talked. Today, for the first time since the start of camp, Caldwell weighed in on his role so far.

"I’ m just trying to learn (the offense) as best I could," said the free agent signee from San Diego. "I just want to do everything I can do so I can help the team.""

Caldwell dismissed the notion he was feeling pressure as the team's No. 1. "No…I just go out there do my best and do what I can do. I don’t feel no pressure. I don’t feel it or worry about it all. I enjoy playing football. I go out there and play and I block out all distractions."

Caldwell had two catches last week against the Cardinals, but a drop is what lingers from his preseason performance to date. On a slant from the Atlanta 7 two weeks ago, Caldwell had a pass by Tom Brady glance off his elbow.

"I definitely should have caught that," said Caldwell. "Every ball that comes my way, I try to catch it no matter what."

Caldwell's gotten plenty of praise from quarterback Tom Brady during camp. And the Patriots are confident he's going to be fine.

As for his month-long media silence, Caldwell said no harm was intended.

"I'm trying to learn as much as I can and that usuall means I am studying, watching film or on the field," he explained. "It was never me not wanting to talk. I’m just trying to learn and this (offense) is more difficult than what I came from."

ALSO NOTED...

OLB Mike Vrabel with a Minnesota Gophers hat in his locker .strong safety Rodney Harrison giving himself a pseudo-massage by lying on a baseball and rolling back and forth to knead his muscles....Rookie wideout Chad Jackson peeking out of the trainer's room at 11:54 to make sure the media had departed. ... Corey Dillon power-walking (seriously) through the locker room while balancing his lunch on his forearm. ... Ultimately, he reached up into his locker, grabbed a Playstation console and disappeared through the curtains into the team's private rooms and training areas.

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