Receiver relieved he didn't go another way

FOXBOROUGH -- Troy Brown wondered what could have been. So did his wife, Kimberly.

What if he had signed with the New Orleans Saints this offseason?

''That was the first thing she brought up," Brown said in the wake of the devastation left by Hurricane Katrina. ''I'm sure I would have been down there, had my stuff set up, and would have been going through what many others are going through.

''As it is, you're worried about the people down there, doing everything we can to help get their lives back to as normal as possible. It probably won't be normal for a lot of people. To think I could have been in their shoes right now . . ."

The 34-year-old Brown, back for his 13th season with the Patriots, had been a free agent this offseason after the Patriots didn't pick up the option on his contract. The sides were far apart in negotiations on a new deal, and in marched the Saints.

Coach Jim Haslett called Brown several times, as did offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy. They were offering Brown a spot as their third receiver, with a one-year contract in the $1 million range.

At the same time, the receiver position was taking shape in New England. Free agents David Terrell and Tim Dwight were signed and more was to be expected of second-year player P.K. Sam and third-year veteran Bethel Johnson. Add in returning starters Deion Branch and David Givens, and it was natural to wonder if there was a place for Brown.

So he visited New Orleans, where one of the only concerns at the time was whether the Saints had a long-term future in the city. But Brown had his own concerns. He was worried how Kimberly and their sons, Sir'mon and SaanJay, would adjust.

''It's a blessing I didn't sign down there," Brown said. ''Probably the most important reason I didn't go was my family, and they would have had to go through it. Who knows what would have happened if I was down there."

Instead, on May 23, Brown agreed to a one-year contract with the Patriots for the veteran minimum of $765,000, saying Sir'mon convinced him to stay. Brown also received a $35,000 signing bonus.

And as has been the case throughout his career, he's since quietly and efficiently gone about his business, outperforming many of his competitors.

The jam-packed receiver position sorted itself out -- Terrell and Sam were cut, while Johnson isn't fully recovered from a left foot injury -- and Brown was filling his normal role in last night's season-opening 30-20 win over the Oakland Raiders. He finished with six receptions for 51 yards, including a 20-yarder in the first half. He had only 17 catches for 184 yards all of last season, when he also saw considerable time playing defensive back.

''I still approach it the same way; I want to go out there and play well and see where I'm at personally," he said. ''I feel like I'm there, ready to go out and make some plays, and hopefully impact the outcome of the game."

Like last season, the Patriots kept six receivers on the roster -- Branch, Givens, Brown, Dwight, newly acquired Andre Davis, and Johnson -- and the group is already banged up with Givens (chest), Davis (foot), and Johnson (thigh) listed as questionable, although Givens saw action on the injury report.

Still, Brown likes the makeup of the unit.

''It's another group of guys with great attitudes," he said. ''It's not the biggest group in the world, but we have a lot of heart, a lot of fight in us. I don't have to worry about the guy beside me doing what he's supposed to do."

And what about quarterback Tom Brady? ''Same thing, he has a lot of fight in him," Brown said.

''People still don't give him the respect I think he deserves, but he keeps shaking that off and making plays," Brown said.

Sounds a lot like Brown himself. Even after returning to the Patriots, his roster spot was never a lock.

''I approached the situation like I was fighting for a job like everyone else," he said. ''It was one of those deals where, just because of your situation or your status or longevity on the team, it doesn't always work out."

In the case of choosing the Patriots over the Saints, all Brown needed to see were pictures of New Orleans to know his situation has worked out for the best.

''It's one of those feelings where you know you made the right decision," said Brown.