By Nick Cafardo, Globe Staff, 2/6/2002

bout a dozen Patriots players were not present for yesterday's downtown festivities, including two very prominent ones: Drew Bledsoe and Willie McGinest.

Players who had made arrangements before the Super Bowl were allowed to keep them. Bledsoe took his family to New Orleans for the game, then flew with them on his private plane to his offseason retreat in Montana, where he'll stay for the large part of the winter.

One of Bledsoe's teammates said, ''He just didn't feel he was a big part of the team and that the parade should be for the guys who contributed the most. He certainly wasn't being disrespectful or anything.''

In fact, Bledsoe met with his teammates after the game to say goodbye. He told them he would not be accompanying them to Boston for the parade.

''He felt it was Tom's day in the sun, not his,'' said the teammate.

Kevin Faulk and Rod Rutledge make their homes in the South and thus stayed there. Roman Phifer decided to go West to his homes.

The Patriots will continue talks with offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, whose contract is up. Weis attended yesterday's celebration, perhaps a sign that he is inclined to stay. Weis's agent, Craig Kelly, sent a preliminary offer to the Patriots last week. Wherever he signs, Weis will be among the league's highest-paid coordinators. There are reports that Weis has had contact with Tampa Bay concerning either the head coaching job or, if Marvin Lewis gets the head job, a coordinator's position. However, the Bucs are still trying to bring Oakland coach Jon Gruden to Tampa Bay for draft picks ... The Cincinnati Bengals may be one of Bledsoe's suitors. Sources say the Bengals may attempt to lure him by trading one of their young linebackers, Takeo Spikes or Brian Simmons... The winner's share for the Super Bowl was $63,000 per man. Add to that $35,000 for the conference championship, $17,000 for the divisional playoff game, and $12,500 for winning the division, and that's a total of $127,500 per man. The league suggests to teams that coaches, front office personnel, and scouts receive similar shares. The team is also given an allocation for rings by the league but usually adds to that itself. The Patriots do not have to give Terry Glenn a ring, but he does receive a full share because he was on the active roster for at least eight games ... Kraft flew the team's four Pro Bowlers - Troy Brown, Lawyer Milloy , Tom Brady , and Ty Law - to Hawaii late yesterday afternoon ... Adam Vinatieri will appear on ''Late Show with David Letterman '' tonight.