The bait is a job at tackle

By Mike Reiss and Christopher L. Gasper, Globe Staff  |  August 5, 2007

FOXBOROUGH -- One of the top competitions in training camp has been at right tackle, where third-year veteran Nick Kaczur (24 career starts) is battling second-year man Ryan O'Callaghan (six starts). The two have split snaps with the top offensive unit.

"It's what this game is all about -- competition," said the 28-year-old Kaczur. "We get along great. We both work hard, we help each other, and I think that makes it a little more fun than if you were in a situation where two guys were in competition and they didn't really get along. We pick each other up when someone does something wrong, watch each other, try to help each other as much as we can.

"In the end, whatever the coaches want to do, they want to do. All we can do is the best we can do, so that's what we focus on."

The two shared playing time last season with Kaczur making 12 starts (including the postseason) and O'Callaghan six. Wesley Britt made one start at right tackle.

Kaczur acknowledged he has read reports questioning his work ethic, which he disputes. He said he was a full participant in the Patriots' offseason program.

"People are going to say what they are going to say. I have no control over what they view me as," he said. "I know myself. I work as hard as I can every day."

Kaczur said he doesn't listen to the chatter. "One thing they say is don't fuel the hype or believe what others are saying," he said. "That's true. I don't know where it came from, and I don't even really worry about it."

Second-year linebacker Pierre Woods was one of the Patriots' offseason program award winners and that work appears to be paying off as he is one of the most improved players in camp. The biggest perk of the award is a preferred parking spot at the stadium.

"It's a great privilege to have a parking spot," said Woods, "but at the same time you've just got to go out there and stay focused. It's all about what you do on the field. A parking spot is not going to get me a spot in the locker room."

So, does Laurence Maroney plan to give this year's top-drafted rookie, defensive back Brandon Meriweather, a primer on rookie hazing? Meriweather shouldn't plan on it. "Naw, nobody told me," said Maroney. "They didn't give me no warning, so I'm going to let him figure it out on his own like I had to." Meriweather shouldn't plan on getting any tips on the field, either. "I can't tell him nothing. He's defense," said Maroney. "We're on two different sides of the world." . . . Guard Logan Mankins said the offensive linemen haven't decided on a look for this season. Last year they all grew beards. With the exception of left tackle Matt Light, the linemen are sporting closer-cropped haircuts than last season. Mankins joked that Light was working on a mullet . . . The Patriots, who did not practice yesterday, will do so today from 5 to 7 p.m. The workout is open to the public, even though the Revolution are playing a match at Gillette Stadium at 4.

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