Patriots Notebook

Another QB still an option

Veteran Lemon receives a look

Jerod Mayo (left) has added 4 pounds of muscle since his stellar rookie season. (Barry Chin/ Globe Staff)

By Mike Reiss

Globe Staff / August 2, 2009

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FOXBOROUGH - While chairman/CEO Robert Kraft addressed rumors linking the Patriots and Michael Vick during a radio interview yesterday - essentially ruling out the possibility - the club was considering the possibility of signing a veteran quarterback.

Speaking on Sirius NFL Radio, which was visiting Gillette Stadium, Kraft touched on the buzz surrounding Vick and the Patriots, saying: “We’ve got the No. 1 player at that position in the world as far as I’m concerned and why would we ever want to do anything that would take him off the field for one play?’’

With Vick not in Patriots’ plans, the possibility of adding five-year veteran Cleo Lemon - or another seasoned QB - is more realistic.

Lemon, 29, worked out for team officials Friday. If the Patriots make a move at the position, it would be to add starting experience behind Tom Brady.

The Patriots have 2008 third-round draft choice Kevin O’Connell, third-year player Matt Gutierrez, and rookie free agent Brian Hoyer as backups - none of whom have started a regular-season game.

Lemon has been with the Chargers (2004-05), Dolphins (2005-07), and Jaguars (2008), and has eight career starts. He started seven games during the Dolphins’ 1-15 season in 2007, two against the Patriots.

Mayo aims for more

Linebacker Jerod Mayo, the 2008 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, is setting the bar high. After leading the Patriots in both playing time (90 percent of the snaps) and tackles (139), what can he do for an encore?

“Making more big plays,’’ said Mayo, who has added 4 pounds of muscle and now weighs 251. “Last year, I had a lot of tackles. I was in coverage a lot, didn’t blitz a lot. But this year, I want more game-changing plays to help this team win games.’’

Mayo, who said the undisclosed issue that kept him off the field in spring minicamps has been resolved, believes the muscle he’s added should help him be stronger toward the end of the season.

“Do I look bigger?’’ he asked playfully, flexing his right biceps. “Later on last year, my body starting wearing down, and I think these extra pounds will help me later in the season.’’

Mayo, who was buzzing around the field yesterday and at one point knocked running back Sammy Morris to the turf, is a top candidate to wear the defensive communication device in his helmet. He wore it for a couple of games last year, when Mike Vrabel was the primary user.

Springs bouncing back

Veteran cornerback Shawn Springs confirmed that he opened training camp on the active/non-football injury list because he had flu-like symptoms.

Springs returned to practice Friday after passing the conditioning test, making it a grueling day as also he participated in two practices. That might explain why he looked exhausted by the end of the final practice.

Springs has enjoyed going up against receiver Randy Moss.

“It’s cool. We both are about two years from getting our AARP card,’’ he joked. “Joey [ Galloway] officially got his this year. I’m about a year and Randy is about two years off it. We’ll be talking about Social Security and stuff.’’

Shanahan to visit

Former Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan is scheduled to visit training camp as a guest, soon-to-be-ESPN NFL reporter Adam Schefter reported on his Twitter feed after talking with Shanahan at Steelers camp . . . The Patriots waived punter Tom Malone, who was challenging veteran Chris Hanson . . . Outside linebacker Adalius Thomas, who is off to a strong start and at one point chased receiver Greg Lewis 50 yards downfield in a show of hustle, on the condition of his previously injured forearm: “So far, so good. [I’m] getting it back into shape.’’ . . . Quarterback Tom Brady and Moss spent parts of the afternoon practice working on pass plays inside the 10-yard line . . . For the third straight day, Moss was rested for the morning practice . . . The Patriots have gone full pads in each of their first six practices . . . Rookie offensive lineman Sebastian Vollmer worked at left tackle in place of Matt Light in both of yesterday’s sessions . . . Rookie Ron Brace, of Boston College, spent most of the day working at defensive end.

Christopher L. Gasper of the Globe staff contributed to this report.