Hochstein proves a plugger for Patriots
FOXBOROUGH - Russ Hochstein would rather be in the background than the forefront, so the "aw-shucks" Nebraska native was a little uncomfortable Sunday, not because he had to fill in for an injured Dan Koppen as the Patriots' starting center, but because it was also his 30th birthday, "the big 3-0," as he put it.
"Winning a game on your birthday is the best gift you can get," said Hochstein, who traded humble pie for cake and ice cream with his family after the game.
The 6-foot-4-inch, 305-pound Hochstein might not take to being the center of attention, but he held up just fine at center in the Patriots' 34-17 victory, as he was part of an offensive line that held the Browns without a sack and cleared the way for 147 yards rushing on 32 carries.
"I thought Russ did a good job," said coach Bill Belichick.
The valuable and versatile veteran was making his third straight start, but his first at center since 2005. He had filled in at right guard in each of the previous two weeks, but found himself over the ball when Koppen was a no-go because of a left ankle injury, and Stephen Neal returned to his right guard role after missing three games because of a shoulder injury.
"I've played a lot of the interior three positions and I feel comfortable going from one to the other, the adjustments are mental," said Hochstein, who received time at center in the preseason. "It's different from position to position. Physically, I feel comfortable and I enjoy playing both guard and center, and I have a lot of fun with that. I've been doing it for a while. It's not a huge deal for me."
Billy Yates, who like Hochstein is a backup who can play center as well as guard, said the team makes sure both of them are sharp in case they need to become quarterback Tom Brady's triggerman.
"Yeah, it's like every day really. We rotate in and out," said Yates. " 'Hey, let me play this. Let me play that.' Just so you can get used to snapping the ball and stuff, because you don't do it all the time."
Hochstein also lauded the coaching staff, specifically assistant head coach/offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia, for preparing him to play all three positions. He said Scarnecchia schools him for wherever he needs to play and whatever he needs to do. It has been that way since the team picked Hochstein up from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002, signing him to its practice squad.
But Hochstein isn't some scrub the Patriots call on on occasion. He's a proven player, no matter what Warren Sapp thinks of his ability - Sapp, who played with Hochstein in Tampa Bay, famously went on "Pardon the Interruption" before Super Bowl XXXVIII and lampooned Hochstein, saying that he couldn't block hosts Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon.
Hochstein has started a pair of AFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl for the Patriots - he was at left guard, making Sapp eat his words, when the Patriots defeated the Carolina Panthers, 32-29, in Super Bowl XXXVIII. He has played goal-line fullback for the Patriots. He has bounced back from getting injured in that role in the Patriots' second preseason game, which was against the Tennessee Titans, to proficiently plug the offensive line.
"Russ is a dependable guy for us," Belichick said earlier this season. "He's been able to step in there at both guard and center for us through the years. He's a smart guy. He works hard. He's tough. He's been banged up a couple of times, but I think he's always come back as quickly as anybody has come back from a couple of the things that he's had.
"He's a tough kid and he's out there and he's dependable and he works hard and he's smart and he's versatile. Kind of like Jarvis [Green] has done for us at times on the other side of the line. Russ is kind of like that, too."
No one wants Koppen to return to action as much as Hochstein, but if for some reason he did have to substitute at center for more than a game Hochstein has shown he's capable of doing so.
When Koppen tore the rotator cuff in his left shoulder in November 2005 and was lost for the remainder of the season, Hochstein stepped in and started the final seven games of the season at center and both of New England's playoff contests. In five of the nine games he started, including the playoffs, the Patriots rushed for more than 130 yards.
"He has always been there when this team has needed him, so regardless of what anybody says it's not a big deal," said Yates.
That's exactly the way Hochstein wants it.
"I have fun playing with these guys," said Hochstein. "I really like that part, and to go out and play and be productive, that's what I'm supposed to do.
"To stay in the league you have to do those things and just try to help the team win and improve from week to week and year to year.
"I feel I've done that and I keep on striving to improve, and when I get the opportunity to play, just make the most of it."
Christopher L. Gasper can be reached at cgasper@globe.com.
