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Brown will have a role

Wide receiver Troy Brown was publicly assured by coach Bill Belichick that he’d have a role on the Patriots in 2007. Those plans have been consummated, with Brown agreeing on financial terms of a one-year deal, according to a league source.

The final step to officially finalize the contract will be working out language within the deal.

Brown, who turned 36 on July 2, enters his 15th season with the Patriots, the longest tenure of any player. The only player who spent more seasons with the Patriots in team history is quarterback Steve Grogan (16, 1975-1990).

The delay in finalizing Brown’s return was health related, as he had undergone knee surgery this offseason. Although he was technically a free agent, Brown continued to work out at Gillette Stadium over the offseason.

Now that Brown has agreed to return to the Patriots, the challenge will be earning a roster spot, as the team has dramatically altered its receiving corps.

The Patriots currently have 13 receivers on the roster, headlined by new acquisitions Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Donte’ Stallworth and Kelley Washington. In addition, Reche Caldwell and Jabar Gaffney return from 2006, while the depth chart also includes 2006 second-round draft choice Chad Jackson (recovering from torn ACL) and longer shots such as Bam Childress, Kelvin Kight and Jonathan Smith.

Among the group, Welker – acquired in a trade from the Dolphins and then signed to a long-term contract – projects to play a similar role to what Brown has in the past, mainly working out of the slot and as a punt returner.

Brown is coming off a season in which he totaled 43 receptions for 384 yards (8.9 avg.), playing in all 16 games with nine starts. The receptions were his highest total since snaring 97 in 2002, but the average per catch was the lowest of his career.