FOXBORO -- For most of the season, a Patriots player has been profiled in this space each week. But this week, it seems like as good a time as any to talk to several players.

The topic? Christmas, of course. Most of the New England players can now buy themselves whatever they want, but when they were younger there were always gifts they looked forward to receiving. Now, many of them enjoy being able to share the fruits of their labor with family and friends.

But they still remember those magical Christmas mornings when they were young men, hoping that the one toy they wanted most would be under the Christmas tree -- or under the sink, as was the case with linebacker Tully Banta-Cain. (We asked for an explanation on that one, but it basically boiled down to a good hiding place.)

What was the best Christmas gift you ever received?

Running back Corey Dillon: There's not a lot lately. I'm the giver and it's hard to shop for me because I have everything. When I was little, I got (the original) Nintendo at 10 or 11. I've been a video game fanatic ever since.

Banta-Cain: Nintendo, the first one. It was one of those things -- (your parents) make it seem like you're not going to get it, then it was, 'Go look under the sink.' It came with Super Mario and Duck Hunt.

Defensive lineman Marquise Hill: A box of Transformers. I was 6 or 7 years old. I ended up breaking all of them. I tried to melt two of them together.

Quarterback Matt Cassel: A red bike, a tricycle, for my fifth Christmas. Also an "A-Team" big wheel.

Fullback Heath Evans: My go-kart. I was 8 years old. I didn't know I was getting it. I opened up the helmet first (on Christmas morning). That's when I knew something was up.

Running back Laurence Maroney: A remote-control car. It was called the Mutator and it looked like it was on hydraulics.

Wide receiver Reche Caldwell: A car when I was in high school. I got a 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse, silver.

What's the best gift you've given?

Evans: My present this year for Bethann (his wife). But you can't print it because she might find out what it is.

Special-teams ace Willie Andrews: This Christmas, and being able to give my people what they want. That will be the best. The Patriots have given me an opportunity to provide for my family (Andrews had two daughters, the older will be 4 in February, the younger is just one month).

Dillon: Diamonds. Things that have diamonds (laughed). But the best is my kids, watching the girls tear open their presents. That's what it's about for me.

Hill: I bought my mom a car last Christmas. A Mercedes.

Caldwell: I bought a car for my wife last year, a 2006 BMW 745.

Cassel: Probably a computer last year for my fiancee (who was then his girlfriend).

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