He's a veteran presence

For an eighth-round draft choice, Troy Brown has lasted a lot longer than a cup of coffee. (Stephan savoia/Associated Press)

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Troy Brown remembers the days when the Patriots were far from perfect.

"I remember the team going 1-15," he said this week. "Then, my first year [1993], we went 5-11 by winning the last four games. The next year, we were in the playoffs, Bill [Belichick] was in Cleveland and he put us out. That was a sign of things to come."

Among the most significant contributions of Brown and teammates was a change in mind-set. Though Brown recalled the Patriots' down years, he arrived in Foxborough a year after the team went 2-14 in 1992.

"We had a different owner, before Mr. Kraft," Brown said. "I was young and I knew I wanted to win. There were a lot of guys on the team with the same goals. I thought it was coming."

Brown was 22 when he joined the Patriots. Now 36, Brown is finding he has less in common with his teammates than with coaches and former teammates.

"Sometimes things go by quick," Brown said. "I've seen a lot of things. These last few years have been unbelievable.

"I talk to the guys I played with when I started - Ben Coates, Andre Tippett is still with the team [as executive director of community affairs], others. Most of the time, they can't believe I'm still playing. This time of year football is big and we all catch up with each other. When we talk it comes down to, 'How's life?' "

Brown was on the physically unable to perform list at the beginning of the season, and has played in only one game - a 28-7 victory over Miami Dec. 23 - his 192d game with the Patriots, third on the team's all-time list. Brown muffed a punt, although he had six punt returns for 55 yards.

Brown's last contributions as a receiver were a year ago - a 5-yard catch and a 27-yard reception on fourth and 6 in the second quarter of a 38-34 loss to Indianapolis in the AFC Championship. That increased Brown's total to 58 career playoff catches (he has a team-record 557 receptions in the regular season). And he scored his last touchdown on a 6-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde in a 40-23 win over Tennessee Dec. 31, 2006.

Though Brown is not expected to play a role in the Super Bowl tomorrow, he said, "I am as healthy as I've been in a long time. I prepare myself and I work like I am playing every week, just in case I am needed. If I'm needed, I'll be ready to go. I don't worry about what I can't control. I do what I am asked to do, I do my job. And it's the coaches' decision from there."

But it was Brown's decision to go for one more year, his 15th season.

"I thought I could still do this," he said. "And I thought we had a shot at a championship after getting so close last year. This is a chance to play for another championship and it was a challenge to overcome some injuries. I made it back.

"It has been enjoyable. At times it has been frustrating, as a competitor you want to be out on the field, but the team is doing very well. I am getting a chance to be a part of this at some kind of capacity and contribute in the ways that you don't get to see with practice and all of that stuff. It has been an enjoyable season. I have taken it all just like everybody else is. I have missed the contact on the field and being able to get there and make some plays for the team. I still have a great feeling about being here."

Asked about the changing Super Bowl experience, Brown said:

"Not much has changed but a few more gray hairs. It's still been fun and exciting to be here. I'm excited about what we can accomplish and what I can accomplish. One of my personal goals is to be able to win four rings."

Brown said he is undecided about retirement.

"I'll leave that to when the season is over," he said. "Right now we still have a few days and another game to take care of. After all that is said and done, we will sit back and see what happens."