Brown's second chance

Brown's TDs have helped the Pats reach the Super Bowl

Troy Brown's second Super Bowl trip to New Orleans could not be more different than his first.

Brown has gone from an afterthought with the New England Patriots to their version of St Louis star running back Marshall Faulk.

He is their primary offensive playmaker - and a threat on special teams to boot.

To be able to come back and this time definitely contribute - that is a wonderful experience for me

Troy Brown

When the Patriots met Green Bay in the Super Bowl in 1997, Brown was a kick returner and sometime wide receiver.

He was also struggling with a groin injury.

And when the time came for coach Bill Parcells to tell him he would not be playing, Brown wept.

"I looked Bill Parcells in the eyes, and I knew and I started crying. I could tell it was bothering him, too.

"He had someone else come and finally tell me. He knew how bad I wanted it.

Remarkable

"The game was extremely difficult to watch. It was a Super Bowl, man. At one point, I probably would've preferred to be at home than on the sideline."

From that low point in his career - during New England's 35-21 loss to the Packers, Brown has made a remarkable comeback.

Brown celebrates a TD against Carolina

He has been New England's top receiver for two seasons, is headed to the Pro Bowl and the Patriots' latest Super Bowl appearance owes a lot to his special teams work.

He returned a punt 55 yards for the first touchdown of the AFC Championship game against Pittsburgh.

He also scooped up a blocked field goal and fed Antwan Harris, who sprinted to the end zone with the pivotal score in New England's 24-17 victory.

Brown doesn't need to be playing special teams at this point. But, like several other starters, he does.

Such versatility brings comparisons with Faulk, the Rams' star running back, who also is a superb receiver and blocker.

"My attitude is special teams are such a vital part of the game, it can make or break a team's heart and be a real momentum swing," Brown said. "It's won quite a few games for us."

Grounded

As has Brown, who has been called the Patriots' Most Valuable Player by many team-mates.

Remarkable stuff for a guy chosen on the eighth round in 1993 - the same draft in which Patriots QB Drew Bledsoe went first overall - and was cut in the 1994 pre-season.

Centre of attention: Brown battles at Foxboro

He came back to New England in mid-season and was used as a punt returner and on kick coverages.

It was not until 1995 that he caught his first pass as a wideout, and not until Bill Belichick became coach in 2000 that he became a regular.

Brown stays grounded by being the ultimate team player.

Cover kicks? Sure. Return punts? You bet. Catch passes? Of course.

And if tears flow Sunday, it won't be because he didn't get on the field.

"To be able to come back and this time definitely contribute - that is a wonderful experience for me," he said.