Donte Stallworth has 33 catches for 509 yards.

AP / AJ Mast

FOXBORO — Lots of players in the New England Patriots locker room like music — at any moment inside the room, either the day’s current hip-hop stars, or Bob Marley, or, as it was on Friday, Christmas music from Luther Vandross, can be heard coming from different stalls.

But one player just might love music more than the others: Donte Stallworth.

Earphones are a constant for the veteran receiver, and every so often he’ll blurt out some lyrics. That is, when he isn’t blurting out wisecracks aimed at nearby teammates. On Friday, he was trying to convince cornerback Eddie Jackson that it was 65 degrees outside and that he wouldn’t need long sleeves; in reality, it was about 35 chilly degrees.

Though admittedly it took him some time to understand the playbook, Stallworth has become a big part of the Patriots’ offensive attack, with 33 catches for 509 yards (15.4 yards per catch) and three touchdowns. He’s shown a knack for shedding would-be tacklers and picking up valuable yards after the catch, as he did in Miami last month, turning a 3-yard play into a 30-yard touchdown.

Here’s more of this week’s Up Close.

MY FIRST CAR: Oh, boy. It was a ’95 red Buick I had in college. It was my way to get around. When I was six or seven (years old) I always said my first car would be a Lamborghini, not knowing they cost as much as a house. [Do you have one now?] No. I still dream to own one, though.

MY FAVORITE OFF-DAY ACTIVITIES: Watching movies, reading, and taking care of stuff. I usually like to watch (movies) at home, but I like to go to the movies if there’s something new out.

THE LAST BOOK I READ: I’m almost done with 48 Laws of Power, I only have like three chapters left. It’s basically a psychology-based book; it’s 48 ways for you to deal with other people in everyday life.

IF I WERE NFL COMMISSIONER FOR A DAY: Hmm…I would permanently ban the celebration rules (teams are penalized if touchdown celebrations involve props or other players). I’m not a big celebrator, but I like to watch other guys. As long as they don’t take too long. I’d ban it forever and make it so no one could overrule it.

IF I WASN’T IN THE NFL: There’s a lot of things I’m interested in, so I’m not sure what I’d be doing. Probably a lawyer. I never took law classes, but I’ve always been interested in law. I’d probably be a criminal attorney.

THE LAST ALBUMS I BOUGHT OR DOWNLOADED: Alicia Keys' and Jay-Z’s new albums. There’s others; when I buy, I buy in abundance.

My guilty pleasure: I try to stay away from it, especially during the season, but some kind of sweets, like brownies, cookies and cookie-dough ice cream.

smanza@projo.com