Bruschi has free hand again

BOLTON -- After undergoing follow-up surgery on his right wrist this offseason, inside linebacker Tedy Bruschi has returned to full health.

"I'm participating in the workouts fully now," Bruschi said yesterday at the Patriots Charitable Foundation golf tournament at The International. "It's amazing what time does. You get a little bit of rest when you're not pounding on it every day."

Bruschi said the cast on his wrist, which was injured in training camp last year, was removed about a month ago. Bruschi was asked if he's looking forward to a season without it.

"I had to deal with it last year, but every time there is a football season, there might be something else to deal with, besides a wrist," he said. "We all have certain things you have to deal with when you're going through a physical season like we do. Going into training camp healthy is very exciting."

In passing camp last week, Bruschi lined up next to Adalius Thomas at inside linebacker at times -- a glimpse of the potential versatility the Patriots will have on defense, as Thomas played mostly outside linebacker with the Ravens.

"It's going to be most fun for Bill [ Belichick], to be able to use different combinations and different defensive fronts with the various personnel groupings we may have," Bruschi said. "I'm going to be excited coming into Wednesdays seeing what he's cooked up."

While Bruschi gave himself a clean bill of health, safety Rodney Harrison -- whose 2006 season came to an end in the regular-season finale when he suffered an MCL injury -- updated his own status.

"I feel good," Harrison said, noting that it's been a difficult stretch for him, missing 24 of a possible 37 games over the last two seasons (including playoffs). "Some things you can control, some things you can't. You can't control someone landing on your leg in Pittsburgh. Or another guy [Tennessee's Bobby Wade] coming and intentionally trying to take your knees out.

"It wasn't injuries based on health or lack of conditioning, because I worked extremely hard and I'm always in top shape. Those were a couple of bad breaks, but you can't complain about them because I didn't complain when we were winning Super Bowls and winning 21 games in a row. You just have to find an equal balance and keep moving."

Harrison, who still maintains that Wade took a cheap shot at his knees in Tennessee Dec. 31, appeared to be moving around well in last week's passing camp. He said he is already is drawing motivation from those who say he's too old (34) to come back from such a severe injury.

Receiver Randy Moss has made a favorable impression on a few of his new teammates. Harrison liked the fact that when he spoke with Moss yesterday morning, "He was in the weight room, paying the price, working hard. He was one of the first guys in there."

Harrison said Moss has "been here in the offseason program, getting better, learning the system, and doing his job." He was asked if the Patriots are rubbing off on Moss in a positive way.

"Well, he's in his 10th year," said Harrison. "He's already established himself as a great player, a great receiver. It's just a matter of him being in a situation that he likes, that is conducive to winning.

"He was in Oakland, where he wasn't a happy camper. He's happy now. So I think you're not going to have any problems with him."

Outside linebacker Rosevelt Colvin particularly enjoyed a few of the trash-talking exchanges he had with Moss during last week's passing camp.

"I think it's great," said Colvin. "He had a lot to say, and we had a lot to say back to him."

Expectations were a hot topic among players yesterday, as they were asked about being picked as Super Bowl champions by several media outlets. Bruschi said it shouldn't be a problem as long as the Patriots stick to what they believe.

"You can't really pay attention to that. You have to pay attention to your formula," he said. "Look at what you have to do tomorrow, or even simpler than that, what do you have to do today. How you just focus on the meeting you're in right now, the practice you'll have after your meetings. If you keep that focus, and not worry about anything else, we're hoping we're going to do some good things."

Said Harrison, "We're not a clear favorite in our eyes. We still have to go out there and play. We've won titles without all the guys that we've gotten this year. So it's not a matter of who we've got, it's a matter of us putting it together and going out, week by week, and being consistent."

The golf tournament was halted after only a few holes because of inclement weather. Belichick played in a group that included Moss. Tom Brady captured the long-drive competition with a 307-yard strike. Backup quarterback Matt Cassel and defensive back Eugene Wilson were the other finalists, with Brady distracting Cassel during his backswing . . . Receiver Troy Brown, who remains a free agent, played in the tournament. Former Patriots quarterback Doug Flutie also played . . . Nose tackle Vince Wilfork seems to be relishing his role with top draft picks Brandon Meriweather and Kareem Brown, both of whom he played with at the University of Miami. "I'm basically like the big brother and the dad to them," said Wilfork. "I definitely have to look out for them. There is going to be a time I have to turn them loose, but for now they're under my wing." . . . The Patriots hold their lone mandatory minicamp today through Thursday at Gillette Stadium, and Brady is expected to speak with reporters. The minicamp is closed to the public.