Pats work out Mike Flynn

In what could be a New England-type homecoming story, free-agent center/guard Mike Flynn visited and worked out for the Patriots today at Gillette Stadium.

The 34-year-old Flynn, who played in college at Maine and attended Springfield (Mass.) Cathedral High School, has played his entire NFL career for the Baltimore Ravens.

Growing up in Massachusetts and watching the Celtics of the Larry Bird era, Flynn told the Boston Globe in June (third item of NFL notes column) that -- like Bird -- he took pride in playing for one team in his career.

Yet the chance to finish his career where it started, in Massachusetts, might entice Flynn to consider joining the Patriots.

Also under consideration, it would seem, is the Patriots' need on the interior of the offensive line.

Starting right guard Stephen Neal remains on the physically unable to perform list and Neal's top backups -- Russ Hochstein and Billy Yates -- have been held out of practice of late due to injuries.

Furthermore, Flynn could fill in at center in a pinch behind Dan Koppen. Third-year player Dan Connolly was the backup Sunday night in Tampa and fired a shotgun snap over the head of quarterback Matt Cassel.