Berlin steps into the receiving line

FOXBOROUGH -- On Sunday, receiver Eddie Berlin was working out for the Seattle Seahawks, hoping to earn a contract. Little did he know he'd land a job in New England two days later.

Faced with a shortage of pass-catchers due to Deion Branch's holdout and highly touted rookie Chad Jackson being held out of all but three practices, the Patriots had Berlin journey across the country to sign a one-year contract yesterday.

The 5-foot-11-inch, 195-pound Berlin played the first four seasons of his career with the Tennessee Titans and appeared in five games with the Chicago Bears last season. A fifth-round pick out of Northern Iowa in 2001, he has 26 career receptions for 379 yards and two touchdowns.

Berlin's agent, Ken Zuckerman, described him as a ``smart guy who can play all [receiver] positions and play on all special teams." Berlin suited up for yesterday's afternoon practice, wearing Bethel Johnson's old No. 81.

Berlin joins a receiving corps that had Reche Caldwell, Troy Brown, and Kelvin Kight running with the first unit yesterday. Kight, a first-year player who played at Florida with Caldwell, has had a bit of a breakthrough since signing with the club July 31.

``He started off and made a few plays in the kicking game and some of our special teams practices," said coach Bill Belichick. ``Just kind of the way it has gone at receiver, in one way or another, he has kind of gotten some opportunities there and has worked hard and has spent a lot of extra time with [receivers coach Brian] Daboll and of course knows Caldwell."

Cornerback Randall Gay had built momentum, starting 11 games as a rookie in 2004 as the Patriots won the Super Bowl. Then it all came crashing down in the second game of the 2005 campaign, when Gay was running stride for stride with Carolina receiver Steve Smith.

``We were in a blitz and he ran a go route," Gay recalled. ``I was running, looking in the air for the ball, and all of a sudden I felt something pop in my ankle and I was on the ground in pain. I thought I broke it, but the X-rays said nothing was broken. The whole season it wasn't right."

Gay tried to play in three other games but was placed on injured reserve Nov. 15, ending his season. ``It was a frustrating situation," said Belichick, ``because it seemed like it was something that was going to resolve fairly quickly and it kind of didn't and just dragged on and on. It's good to see him back out there."

Gay has participated in two of the last three practices, as a second-string cornerback. He said he still isn't sure if he was stepped on or if the ankle just turned. ``That's the thing about football, anything can bring you down at any moment," he said. ``You can be having the greatest season, the greatest day of your life, and one play can bring you right back down and humble you."

The Patriots traded offensive lineman Ross Tucker to the Browns for a conditional draft choice in 2007. Tucker's agent, Joe Linta, said the deal was consummated after the afternoon practice. Linta was granted permission by the Patriots to speak with Cleveland officials.

``Ross is sad to leave but knows he was fighting for an eighth, ninth, or 10th roster spot," Linta said. ``Tomorrow, he's competing for the starting center job with the Browns."

Although Rodney Harrison has returned to the practice field, participating in two of the last three sessions, Belichick cautioned, ``He is still not there yet. He has moved up a level. He has considerable work to do and he knows that and he has worked very hard. It's been a steady progression for Rodney. He has made improvement every step of the way. So we'll just continue to go and, assuming there are no problems or setbacks, then we'll just keep moving forward." Harrison was on the field for yesterday's morning practice, but not the afternoon workout . . . Rookie Garrett Mills participated in his first practice yesterday morning, working some drills at tight end and others as a fullback. ``Mentally I've tried to stay up each day," said Mills. ``I've watched practice every day and been in all the meetings. I don't think I'm too far behind mentally. There is definitely a little transition, being on the field and actually running the plays. Hopefully the next day or two I'll be back to full speed again." . . . Loud music was played during the afternoon practice to prepare the team for crowd noise in the Georgia Dome during Friday's exhibition opener . . . The team has two practices today (9 a.m., 5:30 p.m.).