Patriots notebook

Seau is under consideration

Linebacker was in for a workout

Junior Seau’s first game playing for the Patriots was against the Seahawks on Dec. 7, 2008.
(Elaine Thompson/Associated Press/File 2008
)

By Christopher L. Gasper and Michael Whitmer

Globe Staff / October 7, 2009

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FOXBOROUGH - The Patriots could be close to bringing back Junior Seau for a 20th NFL season.

According to league sources, the team reported to the NFL yesterday that it had had the 40-year-old linebacker in for a tryout.

During his weekly interview with WEEI Monday, Patriots coach Bill Belichick commented on reports that they were close to signing Seau, who came out of pseudo-retirement last year to play the final four games after being with the team full-time in 2006 and 2007.

Belichick said signing Seau was a possibility and that he had had a physical administered by the team.

When Seau was in town last week filming his Versus show “Sports Jobs with Junior Seau,’’ he said the Patriots were the only team he would come back for.

“The Pats are the team I’ll answer a call for, and the only team,’’ Seau said. “The reason being is the relationship between Belichick and I. Belichick, if he does call, he doesn’t call anyone without having a plan, and for me, I believe in what he does, that’s No. 1.

“No. 2, I know the system, so if I’m ever going to stick my neck out there in the gridiron I know that I have to have a chance to succeed, not only for myself but for the team.’’

If Seau were to sign, it would be the third time the Patriots coaxed the 12-time Pro Bowler out of hiatus.

Belichick persuaded Seau to come back in 2006, after he said he had graduated from the NFL, his way of announcing his retirement. Last season, when the Patriots were thin at linebacker because of injuries, Seau signed on Dec. 5 and got into a game two days later. He started the final two games and finished with 29 tackles, according to team coaches’ film review.

Receiving scrutiny

Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio, who was the team’s receivers coach in 2007 and is working closely with the offense this season, touched on the outlook for veteran Joey Galloway and rookie Brandon Tate.

The fates of the two wideouts could be linked. Galloway was a healthy inactive for the first time in his career last Sunday against Baltimore, with the Patriots electing to go with Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Sam Aiken, and rookie Julian Edelman. Galloway has struggled this season as a first-year player in the Patriots’ system, and while Caserio was vague on why Galloway was inactive, he said the 15-year pro is getting more familiar with the offense.

“I think Joey has worked hard since he’s been here. He’s getting more familiar with the system,’’ Caserio said. “We went with four receivers this particular week, and that was the decision that we made.’’

Tate, a third-round pick, is on the nonfootball injury list and is eligible to come off it following the game against Tennessee Oct. 18. Tate tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee last October while playing for the University of North Carolina.

Caserio wouldn’t rule out Tate having a chance to play this season.

“We’ll see. We really won’t know until he is actually on the field,’’ Caserio said. “He’s working hard with the trainers.

“I think since he’s been here that Brandon has been really diligent with his whole workouts and his rehab. He’s in the meetings all the time, so he’s processing information.’’

Late pick

It took almost 14 quarters, but the Patriots finally recorded an interception. Leigh Bodden picked off Joe Flacco inside the 10-yard line Sunday just before halftime, with Baltimore threatening to take the lead. Further proof, defensive coordinator Dean Pees said, that the secondary is being disruptive, even if the picks have been lacking. “We’ve been pleased with some of the production we’ve had back there,’’ said Pees. “We’ve had more pass breakups here in the first four games than we had all last season. We’ve been around the ball quite a bit and we haven’t given up many big plays. [But] you like to get those turnovers. You like to get some interceptions and show some productivity for your efforts.’’

For safety’s sake

Pees wouldn’t say whether the change is permanent - or temporary - but for the third consecutive game, Brandon McGowan started at safety in place of James Sanders. “It’s still very competitive. We still feel very good about all those guys back there,’’ Pees said. “It kind of goes game by game, of what we think, and who they [opponents] have in offensive personnel, and what their scheme is. Who fits that? That really can change from week to week.’’

Tough schedule

This week marks the fourth consecutive Patriots opponent to come in undefeated. The Jets were 1-0, Falcons 2-0, Ravens 3-0, and the Broncos are 4-0. According to Elias Sports Bureau, since the NFL/AFL merger, only two other teams have faced four straight undefeated opponents: the 1979 Bears and 1986 Eagles. Both previous instances also occurred in Weeks 2-5 . . . Running back Kevin Faulk and Hall of Fame linebacker Andre Tippett took part in a promotion yesterday at Shaw’s Supermarket in Mansfield, signing autographs to benefit the local Kids Café programs, which through the Boys & Girls Clubs provide free hot meals for children after school. As part of a collaboration among the Patriots Charitable Foundation, the Greater Boston Food Bank, and Shaw’s, all Shaw’s and Star Market locations in New England will sell paper helmets through Oct. 29 to benefit the program . . . Bodden, Laurence Maroney, Michael Matthews, and Eric Alexander took part yesterday in the United Way’s Hometown Huddle at the Hall at Patriot Place. The Patriots players went through an aerobic workout with children from the Rhode Island and Massachusetts United Way, and also helped the kids learn how to put together healthy snacks.

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