Visiting hours for LB Willis

PHOENIX -- The Patriots are expected to host a handful of draft prospects in the coming weeks, a group highlighted by Mississippi linebacker Patrick Willis.

Considered a first-round prospect, Willis has seen his stock rise after he was clocked in 4.37 seconds for the 40-yard dash at his Pro Day March 20. The 6-foot-1-inch, 237-pound Willis, whose visit is scheduled for April 9, would project to be an inside linebacker in the Patriots' scheme.

Although Willis has never played in a 3-4 alignment (which the Patriots use), he believes he could be effective in that scheme.

"I feel like I'm an all-around linebacker. I can play middle, I can play outside, wherever they need me to play in a 3-4," he said last month at the NFL combine. "I'm just ready to get started."

The Patriots also are scheduled to host linebackers David Harris of Michigan and Jon Beason of Miami, running back Michael Bush (Louisville), and cornerbacks Leon Hall (Michigan), Josh Wilson (Maryland), and Daymeion Hughes (California). Bush has had two surgeries on a broken right leg since the fall.

Each NFL team is allowed to host up to 30 out-of-town prospects at its home facility before the draft. The visits can be used to double-check medical situations, as smoke screens to throw off other clubs, or to interview a player who wasn't available to meet with the team at an earlier date.

Troy Brown told the Associated Press he intends to play next season and hopes to finish his career with the Patriots.

"My intentions are to play. That's what the deal is," the free agent said at a fund-raiser last night. "But we'll see what happens. I'm not writing anything in stone or anything, but my intentions are to play."

After initially declining comment, Brown, 35, acknowledged at the fund-raiser that he had offseason knee surgery.

"My body feels well. My back feels good. But my shoulder is not so good," he said. "I'm feeling better and I'm looking forward to getting the 2007 season started.

"Of course I would rather be here. This is where I've been my whole career. I'd love to finish it out here."

Former Patriots receiver Deion Branch totaled 53 catches and four touchdowns in his first season with the Seahawks, but Seattle coach Mike Holmgren still believes he was worth the first-round pick (24th overall) and big salary the team surrendered to acquire him.

"If I got to 24th and I knew I could take Deion Branch, I'd take him," Holmgren said. "It worked out well for Seattle. He'll be a good player for the Seahawks for a long time."

49ers coach Mike Nolan said he expects former Patriots outside linebacker Tully Banta-Cain -- who signed a three-year free agent deal with San Francisco -- to be a starter. "I think he's got some pass rush and a lot of people became aware of him in the second half of the season when he became a starter for New England," Nolan said. "We kept trying to evaluate, 'Can he be a starter?' and the next thing you know, he's a starter for New England and did a good job." . . . Holmgren said he is thinking about holding quarterback Matt Hasselbeck out of the Seahawks' first two exhibition games against the Patriots. Hasselbeck is recovering from a torn labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder . . . The Patriots' 10 picks break down this way: first round (24th, 28th overall), third round (91st), fourth round (127th), fifth round (171st), sixth round (180th, 202d, 208th, 209th), and seventh round (247th).