FOXBORO -- Ellis Hobbs has said on many an occasion that as a cornerback, it's best to have a short memory. If you give up a big play on one snap, forget it and move on, because chances are you'll be called upon to try to make another play before long.

That mentality paid dividends yesterday, as the third-year cornerback -- much maligned for his play last season, particularly in the Super Bowl -- was all over the field trying to make things happen.

Hobbs recorded an interception, a sack and forced fumble, and had a 51-yard kickoff return, which unfortunately the Pats' offense couldn't take advantage of for points. He also recorded three tackles and was in coverage for the Chiefs' touchdown. But his positive plays came after the negative one (the touchdown), proving that Hobbs was able to move on.

"That's why we play 60 minutes. I mean, when [Dwayne Bowe] caught the touchdown, he gets paid too man, he went sky high, I jumped, he jumped, hey, he's a big body [Bowe is 6-2 to Hobbs' 5-9]. The life of a DB, man -- you can't worry about that stuff. You go out and make the plays and as long as at the end of the day you're making more positive (plays) than negative, it's a good day at the office," he said.

On the ensuing kickoff, Hobbs fielded the ball around the Pats' 13 and brought the ball to the Chiefs' 36-yard line, though New England went three-and-out on the short field.

Two drives later, Hobbs had his pick, on another pass intended for Bowe, one that looked familiar to the Texas native.

"I really couldn't believe that he was running the same route, but it worked for him [when they] got the touchdown," Hobbs said. "Then instincts took over -- stay square and make a play on the ball and catch the ball. That's the final thing, catch the ball, and I did that and made a good play."

Then Hobbs got to really have some fun. Defensive coordinator Dean Pees called for a corner blitz, and Hobbs got a clean shot off on Chiefs backup Damon Huard, knocking him down for a six-yard loss.

"You only get so many; that might be my last one for the season, but you make 'em count," he said of the chance to blitz. "As you run toward him, all you're doing is just praying that he holds the ball that much longer and when you get there, you just try to unleash it on him."

All in all, a good day for Hobbs and his defensive teammates.

"Praises to the whole defense. I think you just saw everybody doing their job. Doing their job and doing their part. Personally for me, all offseason, when I was on the field during preseason and in practice, when we're put in those situations, you just tell yourself, 'It's not going to be on me, it's not going to be on me.' In the red zone, I think when you have that mentality and everybody, all 11 guys have that mentality, you're going to have some positive days."