In a holding pattern

PHOENIX -- Wide receiver Troy Brown is recovering from offseason knee surgery, which has slowed any contract talks on the free agent market, according to multiple sources at the NFL's annual meetings.

Brown, a fan favorite who has played his entire 14-year career with the Patriots, is currently an unrestricted free agent. He would like to play in 2007, although his health could be the determining factor.

The injury sheds light on why there has been little activity regarding Brown this offseason.

Brown, who turns 36 in July, is the Patriots' most notable free agent. He is coming off a season in which he totaled 43 catches while starting nine games.

Although the Patriots have stocked up on receivers this offseason, Brown could still be part of the mix if he recovers from the knee injury.

While NFL owners voted to make instant replay permanent yesterday -- meaning all stadiums will be equipped with high-definition equipment -- there were no discussions about putting cameras in the end zone pylons.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick has suggested in the past that the league should consider putting cameras at the goal line; under the current system, there is no guarantee the network cameras will have video from an angle that clearly shows whether a football has crossed the goal line.

Rich McKay, co-chairman of the league's Competition Committee, said goal-line cameras have been discussed in the past, but he doesn't see it happening.

"The way we've looked at replay is that it's an aid, and for cost-efficiency purposes, we've always relied totally on the networks and their cameras," McKay said. "We didn't want to get into the business of putting our own cameras in and trying to run that system [ourselves]."

Could this change with replay becoming permanent?

"It might, but I think the system works pretty well," said McKay. "I don't know how many plays you would catch a year -- maybe there is one, maybe two -- and I just don't sense something will go down that path."

When Ravens coach Brian Billick considers the Patriots' signing of linebacker Adalius Thomas, whom he coached the last seven seasons, one word that comes to mind is innovation.

"I think with Coach Belichick, you could see that would be a team that would covet Adalius because they are one that shows a certain level of innovation in being able to use a guy like that," Billick said. "We throw the word 'unique' around a lot and overuse it, but he's truly unique.

"I don't know if I've ever come across another player that can not only do what he does but do it as well as he does. But it's only worth paying him that amount of money if you could really utilize him right."

Billick believes the Patriots are a nice fit for Thomas, because they are a "multiple" defense, whereas a team that plays one defense wouldn't be getting the most out of him. He expects the Patriots to move Thomas around to different positions.

"If you isolate A.D. to one thing, then you're not utilizing his strengths, the fact that he does it all," Billick said. "Coach Belichick is a brave coach. New England is clearly a team that will utilize him well."

The Ravens didn't re-sign Thomas because they were tight to the salary cap.

Jets coach Eric Mangini feels the hiring of former Patriots assistant Brian Daboll as quarterbacks coach is a coup. Daboll had been the Patriots' receivers coach since 2000. "I knew Brian as well as any coach that I'll probably ever hire," said Mangini. "I think this is a good opportunity for him, to transition from receivers to quarterbacks, and I think it's a good opportunity for us. He brings so many things as a coach to the table, insight into other systems, and it's all positive. He's one of the most detailed guys I've ever been around and has great recall, referencing things we did in 2000, very specifically. He was impressive from the first time we interviewed him, as a college graduate assistant coming in. Just the way he prepared for that interview, it carried over."

With their business at the NFL meetings completed, Patriots chairman/CEO Robert Kraft and president Jonathan Kraft left Phoenix yesterday afternoon. The meetings conclude this afternoon, with commissioner Roger Goodell expected to address the media . . . Punter Todd Sauerbrun remains a free agent, although the Patriots retain the right of first refusal on any contract he signs. The Patriots and Sauerbrun's representatives have had general talks . . . The contract signed by offensive lineman Gene Mruczkowski last week was a one-year, $510,000 package with a $25,000 signing bonus, while safety Rashad Baker's two-year deal included a $90,000 signing bonus and base salaries of $510,000 in 2007 and $605,000 in 2008 to go with a $50,000 roster bonus in 2007 and a $50,000 workout bonus in 2008.

Mike Reiss can be reached at mreiss@globe.com.