"Not so long ago, Tedy Bruschi's role and place in the Patriots defense clearly was defined. As the "mike" or strong-side middle inside linebacker in the 3-4 alignment, he was the leader of the unit. He was the play-caller. Everything revolved around him.

Listening to Bruschi yesterday, he not only has surrendered that job to second-year linebacker Jerod Mayo, but he didn't sound exactly sure where he was going to fit in going forward.

Bruschi, who was back out on the field after not appearing in a padded practice since the first day of training camp July 30, sounded more like a rookie than an established veteran.

"We're in training camp right now and roles are being defined, and I know we have a lot of good inside linebackers," Bruschi said. "I think Gary Guyton is a good player. Jerod Mayo, of course, you guys have seen what he can do. So however it is - even myself, in my 14th year, every training camp I have to look at it as I have to come in and establish a role for myself on this team, and this year is no different."

The 36-year-old former Pro Bowl linebacker had attended the walkthroughs during the past two weeks, but missed all of the other practice sessions.

The reason?

"(I) just had to take care of a few things. You get a little bit older and you have to mend some aches and some pains," he said. "That's just why it took a little while longer for me to get out here, but I'm feeling better now and hopefully, I can get back to work."

As the years and seasons have piled up, Bruschi has had to make some concessions to his advancing age. He's also had to battle back from the stroke he suffered in February of 2005.

He knows he's not the same player he was five years ago.

He is also very much aware the torch has been passed to Mayo. Mayo now runs the defense, whether the team plays a 3-4 or a 4-3 scheme.

"He's going to have a lot more on his shoulders than last year. It's different," Bruschi said of Mayo, whom he's mentored. "You look at him as a rookie last year, but now, you look at him as an established leader of this team and leader of this defense. That's something I'm sure he'll do fine with.""