FOXBORO – It seems wrong to say that Tedy Bruschi is "on the bubble" when it comes to making the Patriots' 53-man roster this season.

Someone who has meant so much to this franchise, who has been the heart and soul of the defense for years and is beloved by the fans for both his play and his comeback from a stroke, shouldn't be on the bubble.

But that is just where some Patriots observers have placed him.

Bruschi has missed a large chunk of training camp –– he said he was tending to some aches and pains –– and his effectiveness is not what it used to be, understandable given that he is 36 years old and has played in more than 200 NFL games.

In the locker room on Tuesday, Bruschi was asked about fighting for his starting spot. With New England showing a lot of 4-3 alignments this preseason, Jerod Mayo is the middle linebacker, but in 3-4 alignment, second-year man Gary Guyton might get the nod over Bruschi, with Bruschi seeing snaps on third down.

"I've been with every unit in my career. I've been with every single unit, so it maybe it'd be different if I came in as a number one overall pick and that's what I'd been my entire career," he said. "But I came in having to work my way in, so I know what it's like, whether you play every down or just play first and second down or just play special teams. I know what all those roles are like. I'm used to all of them and that helps."

With 13 seasons behind him, Bruschi also knows that where you start the season isn't always where you end up.

"I've had so many years where, where you are in September is different from where you are in December. So I've learned that, ever since I was a third-down situational pass-rushing rookie that played on special teams, all the way through my entire career, that you never assume what your role is going to be. Just be ready when your coach calls on you."

Bruschi said he is feeling fine physically and, like is his teammates, is trying to get ready for the regular season.

Because of his experience and because Mayo and Guyton are relatively inexperienced, it would be a surprise to see Bruschi, whom Mayo reveres, not on the roster for the season opener. He signed a two-year contract before the 2008 season.

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The Patriots and their new favorite trade partner, Denver, were at it again on Tuesday, as veteran offensive lineman Russ Hochstein was sent to the Broncos in exchange for a reported seventh-round pick next year.

Now in his ninth season, Hochstein joined the Patriots in 2002 as a practice-squad player after being released by Tampa Bay, which had drafted him out of Nebraska the year before. Early on in his days with New England, he shuffled back and forth between the 53-man roster and the practice squad.

But beginning in 2003, Hochstein — who became a father for the first time earlier this year — became a valued reserve on the offensive line, playing snaps at both guard spots and center, and also lined up as a tight end or fullback in goal-line or power packages.

The argument can be made that he was New England's best offensive lineman in Super Bowl XLII.

In his Patriots career, Hochstein started 25 games. He joins former Pats Jabar Gaffney, Lonie Paxton, LaMont Jordan, Le Kevin Smith, Daniel Graham, Brandon Gorin, C.J. Jones, Clint Oldenburg, Chad Jackson and Antwain Spann in Denver, which is coached by longtime New England assistant Josh McDaniels.

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Linebacker Paris Lenon (lower leg) and quarterback Brian Hoyer (likely concussion) returned to the practice field on Tuesday as New England continues preparation for its preseason game against the Redskins on Friday night.

There were several players not spotted during the media-access window: WR Julian Edelman, CB Shawn Springs, RB Kevin Faulk, RB Sammy Morris, WR Ray Ventrone, T Mark LeVoir (PUP), WR Wes Welker, DL Myron Pryor, DL Ron Brace and LB Shawn Crable.

It is believed that Crable's absence is not due to injury.

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It was also another slip-and-slide day for the rookies in the freshly-made mud patch on a back corner of the practice fields; it doesn't appear that the rookies have gotten their creative haircuts this year, so maybe the second go-round is to make up for the shear forgiveness.

Senior statesman Bruschi got to man the hose this time, spraying the youngsters as they dove belly first into the mud. As everyone began walking away, Bruschi turned the hose on Tom Brady's back.

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• The Patriots and LeVoir have agreed to a contract extension through 2011. Claimed off waivers last Sept. 1, LeVoir played in every game last season and started two games at right tackle. He has not yet practiced this preseason and is a likely candidate to remain on PUP into the regular season. The contract news was first reported by the Boston Globe.

• New England announced that it signed third-round draft pick Tyrone McKenzie on Tuesday and also released S/LB Tank Williams. McKenzie, whose college career was affected by his commitment to helping his family, reportedly suffered a torn ACL during rookie mini-camp. Since he isn't playing this season, there was no rush to sign him.

• Former Pats Gene Mruczkowski and Doug Gabriel have resurfaced. They were among 12 additional players announced as members of the Orlando Tuskers on Tuesday. The Tuskers are one of four teams playing the inaugural season of the UFL. Jermaine Wiggins is also a Tusker.

smanza@projo.com