"Torry Holt isn't interested in deluding himself or the public. Heading toward his 13th season in the NFL, the former St. Louis Rams star doesn't mind admitting that he's not quite the speed demon that he used to be.

But the newly signed Patriots wideout yesterday offered an emphatic defense of his ability to contribute.

"I've still got plenty of football left to play," said Holt, who signed a one-year deal for $1.7 million on Tuesday. "I honestly believe that. I prepare that way. I still have a lot of football left in me to play and I'm excited about that. I feel good health-wise. I'm training hard every day, getting myself physically ready to come to New England."

Fans might worry that Holt, 33, will be another Joey Galloway, a veteran who never picked up the offense and was cut midseason. Holt said he'll pick it up "fairly quick."

As for the Patriots offense, he believes "the sky is the limit." Holt, who has 13,382 career receiving yards and is a seven-time Pro Bowler, was a Jaguar last year after playing his first 11 seasons in St. Louis. He had 722 yards receiving and 51 catches with Jacksonville. He acknowledged that surgeries have cost him some speed."