Seau psyched

Junior Seau has, once again, ditched his surfboard for a playbook. The Patriots , never one to rush these official announcements, confirmed yesterday what has been accepted as fact since last weekend and common knowledge since Tuesday. Seau has signed on for a third tour of duty here. The 40-year-old linebacker played for the Patriots in 2006 and '07 before coming out of, for lack of a better word, retirement, for the final month of last season. Seau has since worked as a reality show host, cheered on his kids in their athletic endeavors and, Junior being Junior, faithfully worked out because one never knows. "The choice was to be prepared for that chance," Seau told a full house in the media workroom at Gillette Stadium. "So for eight months, I have been training to receive a chance and to have a choice, and here we are." Seau had publicly floated the idea of resuming his Football career, now in its 20th season, on numerous occasions over the past six weeks. He let it be known he'd only play for the Patriots and had about a half-dozen games left in him. The Patriots have 11 regular-season games remaining beginning with Sunday's home tilt against the 0-5 Tennessee Titans, so that was obviously negotiable. For who and whom he played was not. "I know the system, I trust the coach and the ownership and the coaches in this organization, and I have a lot of love for the players in the locker room," Seau said, his trademark unbridled enthusiasm on full display. "That's the reason why I wanted to come back to only one team." Seau stressed he meant no disrespect to the San Diego Chargers, his hometown team and one that drafted him fifth overall in 1990 and employed him for 13 seasons. Rather, it was all about making the most of what little time he has left. "I wouldn't be able to give the San Diego Chargers what they need because I don't know the locker room," Seau said. "There's so many things that I don't know, that are so unknown, to give me a chance to help them perform at a high level, and I trust this coach, Bill Belichick." The feeling is mutual. "He's a pretty special guy," Belichick raved. "I think we all know that. Physically, his makeup, his instincts - he's just a Football player and a real good one. He's a Hall of Fame guy, and not too many of those come down the pike." Shockingly, Belichick wasn't as forthcoming when it came to confirming what duties Seau will assume. While it's possible Seau could be an every-down player, it seems more likely he'll fill the role vacated by the unexpected retirement of Tedy Bruschi last month. That would mean being utilized on first and second down and in select third-down and red-zone situations. Seau's return also might lead to the defense reverting to its 3-4 ways for some of the time with Seau and Jerod Mayo at inside linebacker and Gary Guyton shifting outside. He is also being counted on to bring leadership to a mostly young group of linebackers and the team in general. The 6-foot-3, 248-pound Seau wasn't willing to forecast the future, including whether he'd be ready to play Sunday (count on it). He did make one exception. "Just give me a helmet, I guarantee you I'm going to be the best player that I can be today, and we'll build from there," he said. The Patriots released behemoth nose tackle Terdell Sands to make room for Seau. Seau practiced yesterday, decked out in the No. 55 he's worn since his All-America days at USC. Derrick Burgess relinquished the digits after a butter-him-up hug from Seau and the promise of a couple of dinners, presumably at an establishment with linen tablecloths. What impact Seau's return has on the Patriots remains to be seen, but there's no question as to why he came back. Seau doesn't need the money, and he had a pretty good thing going in Southern California. It's all about what he doesn't have, that being a Super Bowl championship. "If I had a ring in place, I would probably think otherwise," Seau said. "There are so many things that evolve to the decision that I made to coming back." None more important than another chance to ride that wave to a coveted championship.