FOXBORO -- Undrafted rookie running back Patrick Cobbs was the player du jour yesterday, as it appears he is a good bet to least survive today's first round of cuts.

The former North Texas standout, an Oklahoma native, said coming to New England has him feeling a bit of culture shock.

"The people are great, but the people here are more to themselves," he said. "In Oklahoma, everyone is in everybody's business, everyone's more friendly."

Cobbs, one of only 69 players in NCAA history to eclipse 4,000 career rushing yards (4,050), led the nation in rushing in 2003 with 152.7 yards per game and also in scoring, with 11.5 points a game.

After that effort, he said, the school had a celebration that was attended by the school's most famous football alum, Mean Joe Greene "I got to sit next to him; he's a pretty good guy," Cobbs said of Greene, who is now a scout for the Steelers.

Cobbs has gained a team-high 143 yards on 26 carries (5.5 yards per carry) in the Pats' three exhibition games, and had two touchdowns against the Redskins.

Coach Bill Belichick noted Cobbs' effectiveness in the running game, and yesterday said that Cobbs has also shown some ability on special teams, which is likely where he will get most of his playing time if he makes the team.

But Cobbs doesn't care what he's asked to do.

"I'll be honored to do anything, however this thing works out," he said.

With Patrick Pass likely to start the season on the physically unable to perform list, either Cobbs or Heath Evans could be the fourth member of the offensive backfield, joining Corey Dillon, Laurence Maroney and Kevin Faulk .

Playing hide-and-seek?

With the first roster cutdown coming this afternoon, Belichick was asked if teams "hide" players over the final game or two of the preseason as a way to mislead other teams. In other words, if there's a fringe rookie that Team A likes and wants to put on the practice squad, the player may sit out the last game to perhaps make other teams think that he's hurt or just not as good as previously believed so that when he is cut, he clears waivers so Team A can sign him to the practice squad.

"The more exposure a player has out there, if there is something you'd rather the rest of the league not see, then maybe you don't play him as much," said Belichick. "I've definitely seen that; I've seen that from other teams too. If they don't play him the last week of the preseason, sometimes that cools you off a bit.

"The flip side of it is, if those guys are doing well, those games are valuable experience for him. You may not need him this week, but maybe you will in a month or two and that experience could be good for him.

"It's sort of a dangerous game you're playing there, but have I seen it played, absolutely."

Asked if it's a game he may play with his own team, Belichick said, "I think the most important thing that we can do for our football team is select the right players and make it the best team that we can make it. So I think that's number one, rather than try to fool someone else."

No word on Branch

Belichick said there is no news on the Deion Branch contract situation.

Branch's agent, Jason Chayut , has not returned multiple phone calls seeking an update.

The team announced last Friday that it had given Branch permission to seek a trade and negotiate a contract with other teams, saying the permission would end this Friday.

Many get day off

Tom Brady and Maroney were among the players not seen during yesterday's media access period at practice, though both were likely getting an extra day to rest with a long season still on the horizon.

Other players who were not on the field: Matt Light , Nick Kaczur , Ty Warren , Tebucky Jones , Chad Jackson , Guss Scott , Chad Brown , Dan Klecko , Raymond Ventrone , Freddie Roach , Tedy Bruschi, , Pass and, of course, Branch.

Defensive tackle Marquise Hill took part in practice for the first time since the beginning of camp. The former second-round draft pick has played in just nine games since being drafted in 2004.

Dillon was also out there after apparently getting poked in the eye during Saturday's game, though he wasn't talking much during the locker room access period.

Jones appeared to suffer a leg injury on Saturday.

Defensive lineman Jarvis Green was back out there after missing much of last week.

Rookies David Thomas and Willie Andrews were both wearing red no-contact jerseys. Thomas missed practice last Thursday and did not take part in the game against Washington; Andrews did play Saturday. The players were in pads and shorts.

smanza@projo.com / (401) 277-7340