If the Patriots are interested in hiring him, Victor Green is interested in playing safety for them.
"I'm on NFL time right now," Green said from his Atlanta home yesterday. "I'm working out in the morning, doing my quickness and agility work, staying on schedule."
The Patriots have not yet contacted the 32-year-old, who they declined to re-sign after an up-and-down season for the Patriots in 2002. But he said that that wasn't a problem.
"I love Bill Belichick as a coach," said Green. "I think I made a contribution up there last season. I made some plays for them. I know what's going on."
Last season, Green had 84 tackles, one interception (returned for a touchdown), three fumble recoveries and four forced fumbles.
Green was one-third of the Patriots "Big Nickel" safety rotation in 2002.
Since March, the nickel's gone belly-up as Tebucky Jones was traded, Green was allowed to leave and Lawyer Milloy was released.
Now the Patriots are working with Rodney Harrison, a respected veteran safety who's new to the Patriots, and Antwan Harris, a lightly-regarded veteran who's been playing for Belichick for four seasons but still appears new to the system.
Harris may get a chance to redeem himself at safety Sunday against Philadelphia, but the undersized (5-foot-8, 184 pounds) four-year pro not only needed much guidance in where to be against Buffalo last Sunday, but he also didn't seem to have the moxie necessary to play the position. On one play in particular, Harris seemed to shy away from contact with Bills running back Sammie Morris.
