01:00 AM EDT on Wednesday, April 21, 2004

BY TOM E. CURRAN
Journal Sports Writer

There may be movement on the Ty Law front. For the second time in a week, the Patriots have added a veteran cornerback, yesterday signing 11-year veteran Jeff Burris to a one-year deal for the veteran minimum. A week ago, New England signed veteran Otis Smith for another go-around with the team.

Viewed individually, neither of these moves would appear to be a reaction to Law's "I want out" stance since neither player is in Law's class. But if the team is stockpiling cornerbacks -- and they clearly are -- the likelihood is growing that the Patriots will deal Law and draft a cornerback in the first round this weekend.

The team currently has Burris, Smith, Law, Tyrone Poole and Asante Samuel as full-time corners. Converted safety Eugene Wilson could also play there.

The 6-foot, 190-pound Burris was drafted out of Notre Dame by the Bills in 1994. He played 13 games in Cincinnati last year, making 2 of his 19 career interceptions. He can also return punts in a pinch.

Nice to be noticed

Patriots owner Robert Kraft yesterday expressed happiness that his team has five prime-time appearances overall in 2004, four in the regular season.

"Every coach would like to play at 1 p.m., at home, all 16 weeks, but when you don't have that it means you did well your previous season," Kraft said. "I was at [the NFL offices] and there were a number of teams that called in dissatisfied they didn't have prime-time exposure. One thing really cool about this is we're kicking off the whole NFL season against the Colts [Thursday, Sept. 9]. Hopefully, it will be a nice chance to unfurl our new banner."

Good deeds rewarded

The Patriots yesterday honored four New Englanders for their volunteerism, handing out the team's Community Quarterbacks Awards.

Matthew Cavedon, 15, of Connecticut was honored for his work with Boundless Playgrounds, an organization that works to make playgrounds accessible to children with disabilities. Cavedon has worked extensively with the organization, advising and helping to design playgrounds. Cavedon himself uses a wheelchair. The Patriots will make a $10,000 donation to Boundless Playgrounds in Cavedon's name.

"I want him on my team," Patriots owner Robert Kraft said after Cavedon finished a captivating acceptance speech. "What a presence. To go through the hardships he's gone through, and you see the smile on his face. He gave me his business card as I came in. He's ready to take on any challenge and that's the kind of people you want around you when you're trying to accomplish great goals. He's quite a young man"

Lenny Dalton, DonnaLee Williams and Janet Yueh were also honored for their volunteer work. Linebacker Ted Johnson will be honored for his contributions in the community and as a Patriot on Monday at The Charles Hotel. All proceeds from "A Tribute to Ted Johnson" will go to the Penikese Island School, a school that is run in Spartan conditions on an island off Cape Cod to help troubled youths find discipline and self-esteem. If anyone has any questions about donations or the event, call 781-938-7444.