Marc Edwards (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        The very first day Marc Edwards became a free agent in March, New England offensive coordinator Charlie Weis called to say that of the 10 veteran free-agent fullbacks available, Edwards was the one the Patriots wanted.

        Weis told the Norwood High School graduate that New England was searching for a fullback who could catch the ball and get a few carries, as well as block.

        “They were looking for a versatile fullback, and I was their guy,” Edwards said. “After he told me the things that he wanted to do, I was sold.”

        He signed March 19 and begins his fifth NFL season Sunday in his hometown.

        The Patriots play the Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium, where Edwards scored on a 5-yard reception in the Bengals' season-opening loss to Cleveland a year ago.

        After two years with the San Francisco 49ers, who drafted him in 1997 out of Notre Dame, Edwards spent two years with the Browns. When Cleveland started using more two-tight end and three-wide receiver sets last season, Edwards all but disapeared, totaling two carries and 16 catches in 16 games.

        “First of all, our offense wasn't on the field very much, so there weren't a lot of opportunities for anybody,” Edwards said. “And then, I think the coaching staff was kind of going in a different direction.

        “I would've been better off had they not traded for me. I feel like they were a couple very unproductive years I used up in my career where I could've been better used elsewhere. But that's how things go in this league; you've got to take the good with the bad. A lot of this league is getting in with the right team for the type of player you are, a team that will best utilize what you can. And Cleveland wasn't a situation like that.”

        New England, he says, is.

        Of course, Edwards' primary responsibility will be as a blocker. He will be counted on to pick up blitzing defenders and help protect quarterback Drew Bledsoe, who is in his ninth season.

        Edwards has not missed a game since entering the league in 1997.

        “We looked at the fullbacks out there, and we thought that he'd be the best fit for what we're trying to do,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. “He's pretty good at everything that we've asked him to do.

        “I thought he showed some skills in San Francisco. We like what we've seen of him through his career, and personally I think he works hard, he's tough, he doesn't make many errors and he's a pretty dependable player. I think he's got a lot of things going for him.”

        In four preseason games, Edwards ran 15 times for 56 yards — both totals are bet ter than his 32-game totals in Cleveland — and caught four passes for 23 yards. He is not worried that his situation in New England will end up as it did with the Browns.

        “It's totally different from the way things went down in Cleveland,” Edwards said. “In Cleveland, I got promises. They told me this and they told me that, and it never unfolded. Here, things have progressed pretty much as they told me, and that's a pretty large rarity in this league.

        “I think I've found a home. They're going to use me a little more like I was used at Notre Dame and San Francisco. I couldn't be more happy. I'm more fired up than I've been in a long time, that's for sure. I think the most happy person is probably my wife, because I'm not coming home miserable every day like I had been the past two years.”

Opener could be big downer for Patriots, Bengals Norwood's Edwards finds home with Pats Highlands' Moore back with Patriots Mitchell proves fast healer Smith faces yet another deadline No umbrellas allowed

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