Ex-Raider Jordan added to busy backfield

Running backs coach Ivan Fears got right to work with newcomer LaMont Jordan. (Yoon S. Byun/Globe Staff)

FOXBOROUGH - Running back Laurence Maroney pronounced himself in the best shape he's ever been, but with Maroney's injury history and the fact backup Sammy Morris is coming off a sternum-clavicle separation, the Patriots aren't taking any chances. Yesterday, they signed veteran running back LaMont Jordan.

Jordan, who will wear No. 32, was present for the walkthrough session in the afternoon, which followed a practice in pads in the morning.

The 29-year-old Jordan was released by the Raiders July 25. Oakland, which drafted Darren McFadden in the first round, basically banned Jordan from its minicamp and told him to stay away from training camp after the relationship turned sour when he lost his starting job last season.

Jordan spent the first four years of his seven-year career with the Jets before joining the Raiders as a free agent in 2005. That season he established career highs with 1,025 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground, and 70 receptions for 563 yards and two touchdowns.

A back injury limited the 5-foot-10-inch, 230-pounder the last two seasons. Last year he played in 12 games, making seven starts, and ran 144 times for 549 yards and three touchdowns while catching 28 passes for 247 yards.

Jordan joins a crowded backfield that includes Maroney, Morris, veteran third-down back Kevin Faulk, rookie BenJarvus Green-Ellis, and fullbacks Heath Evans and Kyle Eckel.

To make room for Jordan the Patriots released wide receiver Robert Ortiz.

Jordan's role, if he makes the team, would probably be similar to what he did with the Jets when he served as a change-of-pace back behind Curtis Martin.

Laying groundwork
Maroney said he gained a tremendous amount of confidence from the way he finished last season. Over the final seven games of the regular season and three postseason games, Maroney ran for 698 yards and nine touchdowns on 157 carries and had four 100-yard performances.

"I'm feeling myself right now. I'm really feeling myself," said Maroney. "I don't want to be arrogant about it and stick my chest out, but I definitely feel good. It let me know that when I put my mind to it, and I focus I can really play this game and really be a good running back in the NFL."

Seymour returns
Defensive end Richard Seymour returned to action yesterday after missing each of the last two practices. On Thursday, the opening day of camp, Seymour, who has battled injuries each of the last two seasons, professed his excitement at finally being healthy.

"Don't be worried about me," said Seymour. "It's just a coaches' and trainers' decision [to sit out]. The first week [we want to] just kind of ease into it and just take it from there. We still want to be smart about practice."

Building their reps
With starting right guard Stephen Neal and starting right tackle Nick Kaczur on the physically unable to perform list, Billy Yates and Wesley Britt have gotten a chance to run with the first team, Yates at guard and Britt at tackle.

Britt, who earned praise from coach Bill Belichick for his offseason work and performance early in camp, said he's not focused on getting first-team repetitions.

"My first year in San Diego, you get caught up in looking around and evaluating situations," said Britt, who joined the Patriots in 2005 as a practice squad player. "That's not a good thing if you try to do that, try to start counting numbers and looking where you stand, where you want to be. In all honesty, for me, all I can do is put my head down and play every play as hard as I can."

Yates, who played in seven games last year with one start, is taking a similar approach.

"I think every day presents an opportunity," Yates said. "You can't worry about who's here and who's not, but just try to do your job and really worry about yourself, and do the best you can for your team. You don't want to let yourself or your teammates down."

Mruczkowski retires
Veteran offensive lineman Gene Mruczkowski decided to retire yesterday, further chipping away at the Patriots' line depth. The 28-year-old joined the team as an undrafted free agent out of Purdue in 2003. He played in 18 games for the Patriots from 2003-06 before joining the Dolphins last season. With Miami last season, Mruczkowski played in a career-high 15 games at guard and center. To replace Mruczkowski, the Patriots re-signed Lav Bauta, who was signed last Tuesday but cut two days later when the team signed first-round pick Jerod Mayo . . . Belichick lauded the progress of cornerback Mike Richardson, who missed all of last season after he broke his thumb in the third exhibition game. "Mike is a smart kid and works hard," said Belichick. "He is tough and fast. He did a good job for us last year. It was a tough break that he wasn't able to finish the season, and play on the active roster or practice squad. He did everything that he could do [last season]. We look forward to seeing him compete like the rest of those guys." . . . All 11 players on the PUP list - Neal, Kaczur, Jarvis Green, Rodney Harrison, Ellis Hobbs, Mike Vrabel, Wes Welker, Mike Wright, Oliver Ross, Bo Ruud, and Ryan Wendell - were present for the walkthrough practice.

Mike Reiss of the Globe staff contributed to this report.