Gaffney a camp standout

MERIWEATHER On the corner

FOXBOROUGH -- Just in case anyone forgot his pair of 100-yard receiving performances in the Patriots' first two playoff games last season, Jabar Gaffney has reminded record training camp crowds that the Patriots did, in fact, have wide receivers before this past offseason.

Getting reps opposite newcomers Randy Moss and Wes Welker -- free agent pickup Donte' Stallworth is on the physically unable to perform list and hasn't practiced -- Gaffney has made several nice catches, adding to the robust competition at receiver.

"He's that steady guy who time after time is doing a great job," Welker said. "He knows all the positions in the offense, a smart player."

Gaffney, who signed with the Patriots last October after spending four seasons with the Texans and failing to hook on with the Eagles in training camp, had time to pick up the offense and mesh with quarterback Tom Brady last year, and by the playoffs he was in a groove.

Against the Jets he caught eight passes for 104 yards, and followed it up a week later with 10 catches for 103 yards and a touchdown against the Chargers. But those accomplishments have been overshadowed by the offseason acquisitions at wideout. With 12 receivers at camp, every day has become a battle.

"Whatever happened last year, playoffs and all that, is done and everybody's starting with a clean slate now," Gaffney said. "I like competition, and we definitely have a lot of competition at wide receiver. It just makes you play your best every day."

Gaffney said he sees plenty of things to work on when watching himself on film, but he has shone so far in camp. Though the Patriots brought in receivers with nice resumes, the practice field is a crucial place in the eyes of coach Bill Belichick.

"Coach Bill emphasizes every day that you have to come out here and earn your spot, earn your role on the team," Gaffney said. "And this is where you do it -- training camp. So everything you've done in the past is gone. It don't matter how many Pro Bowls or whatever you've done, it's what you're doing right now."

First-round draft choice Brandon Meriweather has said all the right things since joining the Patriots, although he might have some explaining to do with safety Rodney Harrison. Speaking with the media for the first time since signing his five-year rookie contract, Meriweather said the 34-year-old Harrison has been a positive influence, explaining his presence thusly: "He's like my big brother. Or more like my dad."

Score one for the 23-year-old Meriweather in the humor category, who has worked primarily at cornerback in his first three practices. Meriweather has been playing opposite veteran Tory James with the second unit, and also has been a regular in sub defensive packages.

Meriweather believes he has a long way to go, saying the biggest challenge has been the mental aspect of the game.

"I can get a lot, lot better. I'm not performing how I want to perform," he said. "I still have a playbook to learn and still have chemistry with the team to build. I still have a lot to do."

Cornerback Chad Scott, who was carted off the field after landing awkwardly in Friday night's practice, has missed three practices in a row with a left leg injury. The Patriots had Scott with the top defense, and his absence has pushed four-year veteran Randall Gay into that role . . . One potentially overlooked competition in camp is on the offensive line at right tackle, where second-year man Ryan O'Callaghan started the first six games last season before Nick Kaczur returned from injury to start the final 12 (including playoffs). Kaczur (6 feet 4 inches, 315 pounds) worked with the top unit for the first three practices but O'Callaghan (6-7, 330) got a look there yesterday . . . Brady on his receivers: "I think the best thing is how in the run drills they're blocking just as hard for the running backs as they are in those pass plays when they're going out." . . . Adalius Thomas continues to line up at inside linebacker, which has allowed Mike Vrabel to return to the outside . . . A record crowd of 7,975 attended yesterday's morning practice. When the offense took a lap for a mental mistake -- circling by the bleachers in which fans were seated -- cheers erupted. "I don't know if they know why we're running," joked Brady. "I don't think they'd be cheering us if they did." . . . The evening practice was moved inside because of rain.