He's a happy birthday boy

Bruschi excited for new season

FOXBOROUGH - Tedy Bruschi celebrates his 35th birthday today, and save for a few stray grays in his jet-black mane, there are few outward signs of his advancing age. The veteran inside linebacker has the same passion for the game he had when he entered the league as third-round pick in 1996. That is why he is back for a 13th season.

The heart and soul of the New England defense, Bruschi signed a two-year, $4.1 million contract in February, less than a month after the Patriots lost Super Bowl XLII. Bruschi said yesterday, after the Patriots wrapped up their three-day mandatory minicamp at Gillette Stadium, that it only took him two or three days after the season ended to let the Patriots know he wanted to return.

"There was never really a decision for me," said Bruschi. "There is just a process I go through. After the season is over, I take a few days to see how I feel, where I am physically, where I am mentally and emotionally. Do I still have the hunger? It was a short process for me."

It's debatable whether Bruschi is an every-down player at this point in his career - he came off the field often in third-down situations last season - but there is no doubt he is still a valuable and productive one. Last season, he started all 16 regular-season games and was the Patriots' leading tackler, credited by coaches with 99.

The Patriots got him some help at inside linebacker during the offseason, signing free agent Victor Hobson and drafting Jerod Mayo.

Part of that was preparing for the day when Bruschi no longer desires to play. But yesterday he certainly sounded like someone who would like to play more than just one year. Bruschi is already into bonus years; few thought he'd be able to play after suffering a stroke in 2005. He's now entering his fourth season since the stroke and still going strong.

"I just signed a two-year contract, so I'm looking forward to being around," said Bruschi. "Do I feel good? Yes. Do I still have the fire? Of course I do after that last game. The offseason program, the training, is my body responding? Yes, it is. I feel great.

"The process is always what it is with me - offseason workouts, passing camp, minicamp, finish the offseason workouts, then training camp. I really think you need all that to get ready for a full NFL season. I participated in it and got myself ready for this year, and I'm excited about it."

Outside looking in

Adalius Thomas spent the early portion of his Patriots tenure as an inside linebacker in the team's 3-4 alignment, one of his primary roles to help stuff the run up the middle. Then, when outside linebacker Rosevelt Colvin suffered a season-ending foot injury in late November, Thomas switched to more of a pass-rushing role on the outside, finishing his season with an impressive five-tackle, two-sack performance in Super Bowl XLII.

So entering his second season in New England, will it be inside or outside for Thomas in the base 3-4 scheme?

The Patriots did not focus much on their base package in the minicamp, instead spending time on five- and six-defensive back packages. So, there were few clues. Yet based on the additions of Hobson and Mayo, and the return of Bruschi, it's probably a safe bet Thomas will be lining up more outside.

"As long as I'm between those lines, I'm comfortable," said Thomas.

Thomas feels his experience playing both spots will be a benefit.

"I think one of them correlates to the other, because you're one spot over," he said. "If you know what the guy on the inside is going [to do], what he's thinking, I think it helps you [outside]."

Walking papers

The Patriots capped minicamp with a 45-minute walkthrough session yesterday, held without helmets. Receiver Wes Welker, who was not on the practice field Friday and Saturday, walked through plays with his teammates . . . Nick Kaczur worked at right guard for the third day in a row, with third-year man Ryan O'Callaghan lining up at right tackle . . . Receiver Kelley Washington, cornerback Ellis Hobbs, guard Stephen Neal, offensive tackle Oliver Ross, tight end Benjamin Watson, inside linebacker Bo Ruud, and defensive linemen Jarvis Green and Mike Wright were not at the walkthrough . . . Count Bruschi among those who would welcome the return of linebacker Junior Seau. "I'd love to see him, one of my favorite teammates of all time," he said. "Just playing with Junior Seau was a lot of fun for me."

Christopher L. Gasper can be reached at cgasper@globe.com. Mike Reiss can be reached at mreiss@globe.com.