Ted Washington is ready to tackle his assignments for New England.

FOXBORO, Mass. (AP) – Ted Washington knows that nose tackle isn’t the most glamorous position. Once he lines up there, though, he’s not likely to be pushed out.

That’s why the New England Patriots traded a fourth-round draft choice in 2004 to the Chicago Bears for the 365-pounder who made four of the last six Pro Bowls.

“Somebody has to do it. When I went to Buffalo, that’s where it started,” Washington said Wednesday, the day after the trade. “It’s what I’m used to.”

He spent six seasons with the Bills, who used a 3-4 defense, before playing the last two with Chicago, which usually lined up in a 4-3 formation that had Washington playing one of the two tackle spots.

He played 119 consecutive games before missing the last in 2002 with a broken bone in his left leg and a torn ligament in his left foot. He said he’s completely healthy.

“Now I’m back to” the 3-4, Washington said. “It’s not going to be a problem for me.”

He’ll get his first chance to show that Friday night, when the Patriots play the Eagles in Philadelphia in the third of four exhibition games.

“Just give me the playbook and I’ll go a few plays and get the little kinks out,” Washington said.

That will be a welcome sight to a defense that appeared strong at every position except nose tackle, where second-year pro Jarvis Green and rookies Dan Klecko and Ethan Kelly were among the candidates.

Washington gives the Patriots a third outstanding newcomer since last season, when they had the NFL’s second worst defense against the run.

They already had signed linebacker Rosevelt Colvin, who led the Bears in sacks each of the past two seasons, and safety Rodney Harrison, who made two Pro Bowls with San Diego.

Washington’s wide body enables him to tie up blockers and give linebackers more room to make tackles.

“Guys like Ted Johnson and (Tedy) Bruschi should be licking their chops right now,” Patriots center Damien Woody said. “It’s going to really free up those guys in the middle to make a lot more plays.”

Woody played four games against Washington in 1999 and 2000 and is glad to be his teammate.

“He’s just so big and so strong, it’s really hard to push him around,” Woody said. “So good luck to everybody else who’s playing against him.”

Colvin had an excellent view of what Washington could do when they played together in Chicago. “He’s a force in there,” Colvin said. “It’s a tremendous acquisition.”

Washington had 105 unassisted tackles with Buffalo in both 1996, when the Bills had the league’s best run defense, and 1997, when he made his first Pro Bowl.

“It’s our style of defense and I think Ted fits it,” said Belichick, who first thought of obtaining Washington last spring.

Washington said he was surprised by the trade but was excited and would like to stay with the Patriots beyond this season.

“This is a playoff team,” he said. “They won the Super Bowl (in 2002). Me, being a 13-year veteran, I have the opportunity now to be with a team that can get back there.”

The Patriots were 9-7 and missed the playoffs last year, but it should be much tougher for opponents to gain yards against this year.

“This defense is a great defense already. I’m just adding a little bit more to it,” Washington said.

AP-ES-08-20-03 1849EDT