Brown vs. Law: Team vs. I

I hate starting with a question (which I just avoided).

What's the difference between Troy Brown and Ty Law?

Well, to start, only one of them contributed on the field to the final 13 games (including playoffs and the Super Bowl) last season. Another difference is that one of them is and has been committed to do whatever the team needs/needed to be successful, which partly led to that player contributing to the final 13 games, etc., etc. A third difference is that, while both tested the free agency waters, one of them took a paycut from last year and returned to Foxboro even when there were greener (like money-green) pastures elsewhere. I'm not sure how one finds pastures while testing waters, but they're pros and they have agents, so maybe they know something I don't.

Anyway, I'm sure you didn't have too difficult a time figuring who is who there. Brown, right up there with Tedy Bruschi as The Ultimate Team Player, turned down a richer offer from New Orleans and returned to New England, realizing that the grass isn't always greener. Money isn't always greener anymore either -- has all those weird colors in there now. Digression is killing me today.

Right. Troy Brown. TUTP. Drafted in the eighth round 12 years ago, Brown has been through every bit of the marginal Major Leaguer flirting with obscurity in the Minors. Cut in his second training camp (by the Tuna, no less), Brown persevered. Bill Parcells' intellectual heir (and superior) has sent signals that Brown is more or less expendable, and if he chooses to go elsewhere, so be it. But Brown ultimately is a Bill Belichick kind of guy. If the team doesn't need him as a receiver, he can be a kick returner, and if they need a defensive back, he'll play that too -- and surprisingly well.

Brown has 475 catches, 60 behind Patriots career leader Stanley Morgan (Morgan will be very difficult to catch with the limited playing time Brown is expecting.). He led the team in interceptions last year. He's been part of numerous special teams scores and several momentous plays during New England's three-of-four Super Bowl dominance. You'd think he's indispensable.

But this year, the Patriots have Deion Branch, Bethel Johnson, David Given and David Terrell at receiver, and they have Chad Morton, Tim Dwight and Kevin Faulk as return men. With several additions in the defensive backfield, it's unlikely Brown will be needed to shore up that unit. That doesn't leave much room for a 34-year-old utility player.

Despite all his contributions and success, it seems the team is ready to part ways with him at the drop of a helmet. And that's why Troy Brown is different.

He's here because he chooses to be here. He's here because he's a Belichick kind of guy. He's here because he's a New England Patriot -- maybe The New England Patriot -- and he'll likely retire as a lifelong Patriot.

That why the fans love him.

That's why Foxboro will always be Massachusetts' City of Troy.