He's getting in on the ground floor

Seymour happy to be in offseason program

FOXBOROUGH - Coming off perhaps the toughest season of his seven-year career, Richard Seymour still commands a presence.

All one had to see was the scene yesterday in the tunnel underneath Gillette Stadium. As reporters polished off lunch at the end of New England Revolution Media Day, the 6-foot-6-inch, 310-pound Seymour walked by, quickly drawing the attention of those on hand.

Soon enough, the focus went from futbol to football.

For Seymour, being able to focus solely on football - and to be a participant in the first two days of the Patriots' offseason program this week - is a relief.

"It's definitely different," he said. "I haven't been able to do any offseason training the last two years. I've been out there playing on God-given ability.

"For me to have a chance to lay a foundation that it takes to be successful in this league - it's a tough, physical, grueling season and you need to lay that foundation - I'm just thankful that I'll be able to prepare just like the rest of the guys prepare and put my best foot forward this season. I'm not saying what that's going to do, or how that leads, but I just feel confident that I'm able to hit the ground running."

Seymour missed the first seven games of the 2007 season because of an injured knee, but even when he returned, he didn't feel like himself. He finished with 30 tackles and 1.5 sacks, and his streak of five straight Pro Bowl appearances was snapped.

Seymour has spoken about how he turns a switch when it's time to take the field, and he was asked yesterday if the dimmer on that switch was kept in a low position by necessity last year.

"It still turned on from a mental standpoint," he said. "Just physically, I know I was limited as far as what I was able to do. At the same time, I was just thankful to even be out there on the field playing.

"That's where I stand with it now, and I was able to put my best foot forward. Now I'm able to put all three aspects together into hopefully a complete season."

As for how last season ended for the Patriots, Seymour has hopes that it can serve as a springboard for better things.

"Obviously, it was disappointing to win as many games as we did and finish on a sour note," he said. "The year before that, we went to the AFC Championship game. This year, we went to the Super Bowl. Hopefully we can finish on top of that this year and hopefully it goes in steps.

"Last year is last year and we're not going to cry over anything that happened. We give the Giants a lot of credit. They played their butts off and they deserved it. They made plays when they needed to. That catch that [David ] Tyree made on the top of his head, it's just one of those things.

"For us, it's about getting better this offseason and getting into training and laying the foundation that it's going to take to be successful down the road."

Tri-cornered

The Patriots have arranged predraft visits with cornerbacks Brandon Flowers, Charles Godfrey, and Terrell Thomas at Gillette Stadium, according to representatives for the players.

All three are projected as early-round selections, although the first round - especially at the Patriots' No. 7 pick - is considered a bit rich to select them.

Flowers, who played at Virginia Tech, enters the draft after his junior season. At 5-10, 189, he might be a bit shorter than scouts traditionally desire, but reports indicate he plays with a physical edge.

Godfrey (6-0, 207) played at Iowa under Bill Belichick disciple Kirk Ferentz and has the ideal measurables and style of play for teams seeking a sturdy presence at corner. He's considered strong in run support and also has experience at safety.

The 6-1, 202-pound Thomas began his college career at USC playing safety, and is touted on some reports as a top lockdown corner who is defined by a physical style.

Each NFL team is allowed 30 visits with prospects. They cannot include on-field workouts, so they are mostly used as a final interview and medical check.

Cornerback is considered one of the deepest positions in this year's draft.

In high places

Linebacker Tedy Bruschi met with Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and legislative leaders at the State House yesterday, urging them to spend more on stroke-awareness programs . . . The Patriots finalized the re-signings of exclusive rights free agents Wesley Britt (offensive lineman) and Pierre Woods (outside linebacker) . . . Jersey numbers for new Patriots: receiver Sam Aiken 88, cornerback Fernando Bryant 25, offensive lineman Jimmy Martin 60, cornerback Lewis Sanders 29, linebacker T.J. Slaughter 51, cornerback Jason Webster 21, and safety Tank Williams 26.

Mike Reiss can be reached at mreiss@globe.com; material from Associated Press was used