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August 8, 2006

Questions about the secondary

The Patriot defense is beginning to look like itself, with the recent returns of Richard Seymour and Rodney Harrison. Another guy they're happy to have back in pads is third-year cornerback Randall Gay, who missed much of last year with an ankle injury; he had surgery in the offseason.

Gay was surrounded by media at the end of the morning practice session, answering good-naturedly a barrage of questions about the nature of his injury. He tried to play hurt until being put on injured reserve, ending his season, in mid-November. Gay, who started in the Super Bowl two winters ago, was left to watch the Patriots' playoff loss to Denver from his home in Louisiana.

"I would have liked another Super Bowl ring, even if I didn't play," Gay said.

Asked if any teammates had questioned his toughness, Gay said not that he knew of. He also said that he would have appeared in camp earlier if it were up to him, but he was advised to take a little more time off before starting his drills.

Both Gay and Eugene Wilson told reporters that they would do what they needed to shore up New England's suspect secondary this year, even if it meant rotating between safety and corner.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 11:26 AM | Permalink