LeVoir: Building block

Waived by Rams, now he's playing

FOXBOROUGH - Mark LeVoir was a little surprised when the St. Louis Rams waived him Aug. 31, but he wasn't out of work long. The Patriots picked him up Sept. 1.

LeVoir gets to line up against his former team as the Patriots host the Rams tomorrow at Gillette Stadium.

"Obviously, you want to play well, but you know they're just the next team, the next opponent," LeVoir said. "Just like any other team, we want to come out with a win."

The 6-foot-7-inch, 306-pound LeVoir made his first career start and did a solid job Monday night filling in for Nick Kaczur at right tackle in the Patriots' 41-7 victory over the Denver Broncos.

Kaczur, who injured his right ankle in the first quarter of the Patriots' loss to San Diego Oct. 12, returned to practice yesterday for the first time since his injury. However, LeVoir said he prepares every week as if he's the starter.

"I had practiced all week as if I was going to start," said LeVoir, who entered the NFL with Chicago in 2006 as an undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame, where he played for former Patriots offensive coordinator Charlie Weis. "Nick couldn't go, so that was just my mind-set.

"That's been my mind-set every week to prepare like I am a starter."

LeVoir, who was on the Rams' 53-man roster for seven games last season but did not play, harbors no ill will toward St. Louis.

"No, it's just part of the business," he said. "They went with who they thought were their best guys, and I wasn't it and that's just how football works. I'm happy to be here. I think this is a great situation for me, and I just take everything one day at a time."

Carrying the load

With the running attack hobbled by injuries to LaMont Jordan (right calf) and Sammy Morris (knee), and the season-ending shoulder injury to Laurence Maroney, rookie BenJarvus Green-Ellis could be in line for extended playing time. Signed to the active roster from the practice squad Oct. 11, Green-Ellis rushed 13 times for 65 yards and scored his first career touchdown Monday. "We have liked what we have seen since we got him," said offensive coordinator Josh McDaniel. "He has good vision and gets the ball downhill. He knows what he is and he knows what he is not. I think that is really a tribute to him.

"He is a downhill guy that weighs 225 pounds. He is going to go ahead and duck his head and try and make some yards with his thighs and physicality. He is not a dancer, and that is kind of what we like about him."

Screen test

After hauling in a pair of TDs against the Broncos, including a 27-yard score in the third quarter off a screen pass, Randy Moss joked about expanding his involvement in the screen-pass plays. Asked if Moss had any such discussions with him, McDaniel said, "Sure, everybody wants to run them when they work and nobody wants to run them or have the ball in their hands when they don't. We have used a lot of people in that role this year. Kevin Faulk has caught them. Wes [Welker] has caught them, obviously. Jabar [Gaffney] and Randy have caught them. We are not averse to throwing to anybody. The guys love them when they catch them and there are a bunch of big linemen out in front blocking a bunch of little guys. When it doesn't look good and you get the ball in your hands, nobody really wants to have them. We have joked about it. [Moss] made a really good catch on that play."

Hear no evil

Asked if he had concerns about the reported setbacks in Tom Brady's surgery, McDaniel said, "I am not really aware of all that is going on. I have talked to Tommy and he obviously has a good approach and good attitude on this whole thing. However this turns out, I am sure he will work as hard as he can to get back out here whenever that may be next year. We are all behind him and can't wait to see him whenever he gets back into town." . . . Linebackers Eric Alexander (hamstring) and Shawn Crable (shin), cornerback Lewis Sanders (hamstring), and Jordan and Morris did not participate in practice and were listed as doubtful for tomorrow's game. The Rams listed wide receiver Drew Bennett (foot) and safety Todd Johnson (kidney) as out. Defensive lineman Adam Carriker (ankle), cornerback Tye Hill (knee), and running back Steven Jackson (thigh), all of whom had limited participation in practice, are questionable along with wide receiver Derek Stanley (concussion), who fully participated in practice. Jackson will be a game-time decision . . . The Patriots' offensive line gave new meaning to the phrase "we've got your back." They conducted a walkthrough with copies of Matt Cassel's freshman high school football photo taped to their sweat shirts. Cassel was sporting a not-so-flattering high fade haircut. "They're just hating on the quarterback again," Cassel lamented.