Seau is back on the inside

Junior Seau is staying in school.

The 38-year-old linebacker officially signed on for his second year of postgraduate work yesterday, inking a one-year deal with the Patriots. The move was anticipated, as Seau's locker remained intact at Gillette Stadium and his No. 55 had yet to be reissued.

The signing comes less than two years after Seau said he was graduating from football, not necessarily retiring. At the time, following 13 years with the Chargers and three with the Dolphins, he said he would play if the right situation presented itself.

The Patriots later stepped up and offered Seau what he was seeking, and the 12-time Pro Bowler put together a productive but injury-shortened season in 2006. He played the first 11 games, with 10 starts, while totaling 70 tackles to rank fifth on the team. Seau helped solidify the inside linebacker situation before breaking his right arm Nov. 26 against the Bears.

Seau, now entering his 18th NFL season, later told the "Patriots All-Access" television show that he had two plates inserted in his arm, with 14 screws.

With Seau in the fold, the linebacker corps gets a boost.

Prior to Seau's return, the team's top four linebackers were Tedy Bruschi, Rosevelt Colvin, Mike Vrabel, and Adalius Thomas. Seau could spell Bruschi or Vrabel at inside linebacker, or could play a more regular role next to Bruschi, allowing Vrabel the freedom to play his more natural position on the outside.

There is also the intriguing possibility that all five could be on the field at the same time, which could tax offensive lines to identify where the rush linebacker is coming from.

One concern regarding Seau is durability, as he has not played a full 16-game season since 2001 and has had his last three seasons end prematurely because of injuries.

So the Patriots will have to monitor how heavily they utilize him, although even in a more limited role Seau would offer them more time to develop the younger linebackers.

Seau did not speak with the media yesterday.

Veteran free agent quarterback Vinny Testaverde was spotted yesterday at Gillette Stadium, and while he has not signed with the team, he apparently plans to spend the next few weeks with the club. Testaverde, who joined the Patriots last November, still had his locker at Gillette Stadium as of last week. Testaverde's presence is likely tied to the fact the Patriots are holding Organized Team Activities over the next two weeks. They have three quarterbacks on the roster: Tom Brady, Matt Cassel, and rookie free agent Matt Gutierrez.

The Patriots' offseason program shifted to a higher gear yesterday, with the team opening a four-day passing camp as part of OTAs. NFL clubs are allowed up to 14 OTAs over their 14-week offseason programs, and the rules for them are loosened a bit.

For example, players are allowed to be at a team facility for only four hours during the normal offseason program. During OTAs, players can spend six hours. Also, players are restricted to 90 minutes of on-field work during the normal program, but two hours are allowed during OTAs.

Perhaps the most important part of OTAs is that seven-on-seven, nine-on-seven, and 11-on-11 drills are allowed, albeit with no contact. So, in essence, it's one of the few times the entire club is on the field together during the offseason.

As is the case with the offseason program, the OTAs are voluntary, although most Patriots players were believed to be in attendance yesterday.

Marshall athletic director Bob Marcum, the former athletic director at UMass, was touched when he saw Vrabel at the annual football camp sponsored by Troy Brown and former Patriot Mike Bartrum this past weekend in Huntington, W.Va. Marcum saw Vrabel pushing a camper in a wheelchair from drill to drill. "He stayed with him most of the time, looking out for him," Marcum said. "I just thought it was a tremendous thing and you could see the happiness in the young boy's face. It was a great thrill for him."

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