08:53 AM EST on Monday, October 31, 2005

FOXBORO -- As comebacks go, Lazarus still has the all-time best.

But Tedy Bruschi's ranks right up there.

If not exactly miraculous, it still was pretty darn amazing that Bruschi started at inside linebacker for the Patriots last night against the Bills, only a little more than eight months after suffering a stroke that initially left him with seriously impaired vision and partial paralysis.

In those first frightening February days, the hope was that Bruschi would see clearly again, that he someday would walk normally, that he would be able to play with his three young sons.

As for playing football again, that seemed highly doubtful. That he would play this season appeared all but impossible.

Yet there he was last night, playing not only on defense, but also on special teams, making tackles, making plays, as if he'd never been away.

"It was awesome to have him back out there," linebacker Mike Vrabel said.

"He's the heart and soul of this team," said quarterback Tom Brady. "Everyone was excited to have him back."

It already had been an emotional day in the NFL, as the Giants, who on Friday attended the funeral of their beloved owner, Wellington Mara, at St. Patrick's Cathedral, blasted the Washington Redskins, 36-0, at the Meadowlands.

Where there had been a pre-game moment of silence for Mara, there were sustained roars for Bruschi that rocked Gillette Stadium when his name was announced prior to the game.

The New England defense was introduced to the crowd and, although they came on to the field as a unit, as usual, what was unusual was that Bruschi's name was the last to be called.

Expecting the dramatic announcement, the fans rose to their feet, cheering loudly and chanting, "Broooo-ski! Broooo-ski!"

"The reception was incredible," Bruschi said.

What Bruschi did last night was incredible. Not only did play almost the entire game at inside linebacker, but he also played on special teams, running downfield on punts and kickoffs.

"He's gonna be tired and sore," Brady said with a smile.

Last night, however, Bruschi couldn't have felt any better.

"It feels good," he said, "to be back to doing what I love."

Patriots fans love Bruschi, not only because of his knack for making big plays, and the major role he played in the Patriots' three Super Bowl championships, but also because of the way he plays -- with intense fire and deep emotion.

As a defensive captain, Bruschi went out for the coin toss with Brady, Vrabel and Larry Izzo, and when the Bills won it and chose to take the ball, Bruschi took the field.

"I was out there," he said, "almost before I knew it."

Where there had been some wringing of hands at the time Bruschi announced he was going to play again -- well-intentioned people who worried he was unnecessarily (and perhaps selfishly, as some less well-intentioned people suggested) putting himself at risk, there was only the clapping of hands and cheers of support to welcome him back last night.

Especially when, on Buffalo's third play from scrimmage, he made his first tackle, going low to stop Bills running back Willis McGahee after a gain of just a yard.

"Usually," he said, "I get up slow. But, knowing my wife was watching me down at the bottom of the pile, I tried to get back up as fast as I could."

The next play was even better, as the Bills tried to dupe the Patriots by running a reverse to wide receiver Roscoe Parrish. It didn't fool Bruschi, who stayed at home and put the inital hit on Parrish behind the line of scrimmage, slowing him enough for nose tackle Vince Wilfork to pin him for a loss of six yards.

Displaying remarkable conditioning, Bruschi was on the field throughout the first quarter. Unfortunately for New England, so was the Buffalo offense, which controlled the ball for 12 of the first 15 minutes.

It was that way for most of the game, as Buffalo dominated in time of possession, controlling the clock for 39:20.

But, with Bruschi back in the lineup, the New England defense held the Bills to 16 points and forced a critical turnover in the fourth quarter that set up the winning touchdown.

"I was ready," he said, "physically, mentally, emotionally."

Which didn't surprise Vrabel in the least.

"I've seen Tedy do a lot of great things," he said.

"He's a playmaker," Brady said. "Hopefully, we all can play up to his level."

"It means a lot to me," said Bruschi, "to be playing again. From the time I had my stroke, I kept asking the doctors what I had to do to play. Sometimes, you've just got to pick yourself up and get back to living your life."