FOXBOROUGH - The Patriots might be entering their off week, but they remained busy on the personnel front.
Among the team's moves yesterday were the official start of receiver Troy Brown's 21-day window in which the Patriots have to decide whether to place him on the active roster or season-ending injured reserve, and the release of here-today-gone-tomorrow tight end Marcellus Rivers.
Brown, who opened the year on the physically unable to perform list after undergoing offseason knee surgery, has remained hopeful that he'll return to action for a 15th season with the team.
Meanwhile, Rivers's release - the fourth time the Patriots have let him go this year - opens a spot on the 53-man roster. The Patriots are expected to fill the opening with second-year receiver Chad Jackson, a 2006 second-round draft choice who also opened the year on the physically unable to perform list.
The Patriots' deadline to make a move with Jackson - as well as fourth-year cornerback Eddie Jackson - is 4 p.m. today. Both players started practicing 21 days ago.
Rivers, who was inactive for Sunday's win over the Colts, played in three games this season and did not record a catch. His primary contributions came as a blocker, especially on special teams; coach Bill Belichick credited him with two key blocks on Willie Andrews's 77-yard kickoff return for a score against the Dolphins Oct. 21.
Rivers's release leaves just two tight ends on the roster, Benjamin Watson and Kyle Brady. The Patriots used offensive lineman Russ Hochstein as a third tight end against the Colts, lining him up for seven snaps there. They also utilize linebacker Mike Vrabel as a goal-line tight end and have lined up other players, such as offensive lineman Ryan O'Callaghan, as blocking tight ends.
Raves for Rodney
After missing the season's first four games with a suspension for violating the NFL's banned substances policy, and then knocking off some initial rust, safety Rodney Harrison feels as if he's returned to form both physically and mentally.His performance Sunday, in which he essentially lined up man to man against dangerous Colts tight end Dallas Clark and limited him to two catches for 15 yards, was evidence of that.
Harrison's effort caught the eye of his teammates. Defensive lineman Richard Seymour felt it was some of the best work he's seen Harrison put forth.
"Since I've been here, he's obviously had some prime-time performances, but this definitely ranks up there," Seymour said. "Covering one of their best players, coming off of an injury-filled last few seasons, and still to be able to play at a high level, I think it just speaks volumes of his preparation."
Bruschi bristles
Former Dolphins coach Don Shula told the New York Daily News that if the Patriots go 16-0, he feels the NFL should place an asterisk next to the record because of the team getting caught for illegal videotaping.Linebacker Tedy Bruschi, who spoke passionately about his feelings for the "Patriots logo" following the team's Week 2 win over the Chargers, called it "unfortunate" that Shula had "some of those things to say" but acknowledged that he wouldn't worry about things out of his control.
Asked if he was bothered by those who have questioned the credibility of the Patriots, Bruschi answered in the form of a question.
"If someone questions your integrity, if someone questions who you are, if someone questions the organization you've been a part of ever since you walked into the league, would it upset you? So yes, it does upset me," he said. "If they want to keep saying those things, maybe we just need to play a little bit harder."
His work continues
Seymour, who was credited by the team's coaches with six tackles Sunday in his second game since he returned from the physically unable to perform list, doesn't plan to do much relaxing during the bye week. "I have a lot of work to do personally," he said. "I know a lot of the guys having training camp and also playing nine games can be physically demanding on the body, but for me, it's like my second week of training camp."Another time change
The Patriots remain a hot ticket with the networks. One day after the game against the Bills on Nov. 18 was moved to prime time on NBC, the team had its Dec. 9 home game against the Steelers moved from 1 p.m. to a 4:15 spot, which will draw a larger audience . . . Bruschi has been credited by the coaches with 54 tackles, tops on the team. What does that number mean to him? Not much. "I measure myself on how many victories we have," he said. "We're doing well and I feel like I'm making a contribution, and it does feel good." . . . Cornerback Ellis Hobbs, who said he received word from the NFL last season that the pass interference penalty called against him in the AFC Championship game was incorrect, said he wasn't expecting to hear from the league on the pass interference penalty called on him in the second quarter Sunday. He didn't appear to make contact with receiver Reggie Wayne and maintained his innocence, saying, "When the flag was thrown, I knew I didn't do anything wrong."Just say yes
Running back Kevin Faulk had the line of the day as players headed to the exits to enjoy five days off. Asked if such a long break was unprecedented during the season, Faulk said, "You take what they give you. My mom always told me a saying: 'You never turn down nothing but your collar.' " . . . Bruschi, nose tackle Vince Wilfork, kicker Stephen Gostkowski, defensive lineman Jarvis Green, and running back Kyle Eckel coached touch football teams last night at Gillette Stadium in a charity event to raise money for Building Educated Leaders for Life.Christopher L. Gasper of the Globe staff contributed to this report.
