Dwight has caught on fast

FOXBOROUGH -- Last night was Tim Dwight's eighth season opener with his third NFL team. He has 85 games of experience under his belt. He still admitted to being a bit overwhelmed by, well, everything.

''I mean, you got Ozzy Osbourne out there," the new Patriots punt return specialist and wide receiver said after a solid debut in New England's 30-20 victory over the Raiders last night. ''This was a bit different from all the others, especially with the hype."

There also was Green Day and Carlos Santana -- and the 2005 edition of the Patriots, which looked a lot like the 2004 and 2003 models. Dwight, who was unwanted by the Chargers (his version), signed with New England in March and looked like he'd been a Patriot all along with his performance against Oakland. He caught a touchdown pass and returned four punts for 44 yards. In short, he came as advertised -- a heady veteran who has bought into the New England system.

''We've got 15 more games to go," he said. ''It feels good to get one. But when I look back, there's a punt I caught that I should have fair-catched and there's a punt I should have stretched it and didn't. A lot of room to improve."

The touchdown came in the second quarter, a 5-yard bullet from Tom Brady on a quick out route. Dwight used his speed to get loose and squirmed away from Derrick Gibson, scoring the touchdown that put the Patriots ahead for good, 17-14.

''We thought with our quickness that we had an advantage in that situation," Dwight said. ''It felt good to be relied upon. But we were able to spread them out a little and everyone ran good routes, got open. Tom gave me the signal and he has such a strong arm and really zipped it in there. I mean, he unloaded it."

Last season with San Diego, Dwight had only two receptions in 12 games, one of them a 23-yarder for a touchdown. Last night, the touchdown pass was his only reception. But Brady, for one, likes what he sees in the newcomer.

''He is dangerous every time he gets the ball in his hands," Brady said. ''You just hold your breath. He did a great job out there."

Punt returning is likely one area where Dwight will make his mark as well, although he had more returns last night (four) than he did for the Chargers in the previous two seasons (three). San Diego used him for kickoff returns the last two years and he managed to break one for 87 yards and a touchdown. Based on last night, he appears to be Troy Brown's successor on punts.

He definitely made himself noticed with his first return. He ripped off a 27-yarder with five minutes left in the period, a return that set up the Patriots to score their first touchdown of the game.

The 27-yard return was the longest by a Patriot in almost three seasons; or since Deion Branch ripped off a 40-yarder against the Denver Broncos on Oct. 27, 2002. In the last two seasons, the estimable Brown had the two longest returns, each a 23-yarder.

The other three returns weren't nearly as eye-opening; they totaled 17 yards. But Dwight made an opening statement last night and he has the skills, experience, and speed to make similar statements over the course of the season.

''All these guys can make plays," he said of his fellow receivers/returners. ''But still, for a new guy, it still felt pretty good."