By Jimmy Golen
The Associated Press

FOXBORO, Mass. - New England Patriots receiver-turned-defensive back Troy Brown was easy to spot on the field in St. Louis: He was the one always trying to catch his breath, but smiling.

"When I asked Troy during the game how he was doing, just because he's out there on both sides of the ball," coach Bill Belichick said, "he just looked at me matter-of-factly and said, 'Look, I'm a football player. It's football season. I'm going to play football. Put me in wherever you want me.'

"And you can't ask for any more than that," Belichick said Monday, a day after the Patriots beat the Rams 40-22. "There are a lot of guys who have that type of attitude. But, I think that Troy just epitomized it: 'What do you want me to do? Put me in there. I will do the best I can.'"

Brown, 33, has fought injuries and age to get playing time this season, and in New England's first seven games he was inactive for four and a non-factor in two others. Last week, with Deion Branch out for a fifth consecutive game and Bethel Johnson going without a catch, Brown caught five passes for 59 yards.

Brown figured to play a big role on offense again in St. Louis on Sunday. But when New England cornerback Assante Samuel hurt his shoulder on the second defensive play, Brown grabbed his helmet; he had practiced with the defense during training camp just in case.

Still, he was nervous.

"I was geeked up on defense," Brown said Monday, when the players were otherwise not available. "I saw the tapes. I saw them running by guys that play defensive backs all their lives."

Filling in as a nickel back, Brown had three tackles, broke up one pass (and took a pass interference penalty). And that wasn't all: He also played on special teams, catching a touchdown pass from Adam Vinatieri on a fake field goal.

"Troy is just an ultimate football player. He did everything they asked him," quarterback Tom Brady said. "He almost had an interception. That was great to see."

The Patriots were already hurting in the defensive backfield with Ty Law out 4-6 weeks with a broken foot and Tyrone Poole out with a knee injury. When Samuel was hurt, Brown headed for the field.

Brown's defensive work in training camp was seen as a safety net that would only be used in the direst emergencies. But because of all the injuries, Brown had to play both ways for most of the game, though not for every play.

It's not just Brown.

Linebacker Mike Vrable plays tight end in some formations, and Sunday he scored a touchdown with a nice tiptoe catch in the corner of the end zone. It was his first catch since grabbing a TD in the Super Bowl in February.

Dan Klecko was drafted as a defensive lineman, converted to linebacker and used at times as a fullback on the goal-line. Defensive lineman Richard Seymour has lined up in the backfield, and linebacker Don Davis filled in at safety.

"I have a newfound respect for our defensive backs," Brown said.

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