Hochstein's deal extended through '08

FOXBOROUGH -- Bolstering the depth on the interior of their offensive line, the Patriots yesterday extended the contract of Russ Hochstein through 2008.

The 28-year-old Hochstein, whose contract was set to expire after the 2006 season, received a $400,000 signing bonus, according to NFL Players Association documents. His base salaries are $600,000 in 2006, $600,000 in 2007, and $730,000 in 2008. The deal also includes incentives to increase the value of the package.

Hochstein (6 feet 4 inches, 305 pounds) is entering his sixth season, his fifth with the Patriots. He's played in 48 games (10 starts), adding value as a versatile backup at center and guard. When center Dan Koppen suffered a season-ending shoulder injury last year, Hochstein stepped in and started the final seven games.

A native of Hartington, Neb., Hochstein has been setting up roots in New England. He was recently engaged, and felt the security of an extension outweighed the chance to test free agency after the season.

``The most important thing for me was being in a good situation and part of a winning team with a good group of guys," he said. ``I feel like we have that here."

With Hochstein in the fold, the Patriots have six of their top seven returning linemen locked up for at least two seasons: Matt Light (through 2010), Logan Mankins (2009), Stephen Neal (2009), Nick Kaczur (2009), Hochstein (2008), and Brandon Gorin (2007).

The Patriots are conducting a veteran passing camp at Gillette Stadium this week as part of their ``organized team activities." NFL teams are allowed 14 days of OTAs, which are voluntary. Quarterback Tom Brady and receiver Deion Branch were among the players not present. Brady was playing golf yesterday with former Presidents Bush and Clinton in Kennebunkport, Maine. Branch has participated in the camp in recent years, and one line of thinking is that he might be disappointed in the lack of progress toward a contract extension. The Patriots' lone mandatory minicamp is scheduled for next Tuesday and Wednesday, so Branch's feelings could be better known at that point.

Newly acquired defensive lineman Johnathan Sullivan signed a seven-year contract when he entered the league in 2003, but according to NFLPA documents, the final two years were voided if Sullivan played 35 percent of the defensive snaps in 2003 or 45 percent of the snaps in any year thereafter. Since Sullivan reached those incentives -- he played in 46 percent of the defensive snaps in 2003 -- his contract expires after the 2007 season. Sullivan will wear jersey No. 96 with the Patriots. The NFL cleared the trade for Sullivan yesterday.