FOXBORO, Mass. (AP) – New England Patriots fullback Patrick Pass knew what he was up against when the team brought two more fullbacks, San Diego free agent Fred McCrary and all-time NFL backfield receptions leader Larry Centers, into training camp.

So Pass, a former halfback, focused on making himself versatile.

“I know both positions, Pass said. “I know fullback as well as halfback. I can do both, and I’ve done it this training camp. I have pretty good hands, too, so if they need me to come out of the backfield and catch a few balls, I can do it.”

The strategy has apparently paid off. DeVspite the added competition, Pass has been a bright spot in the team’s backfield – bright enough to force the Patriots to part with Super Bowl hero J.R. Redmond instead.

Pass is the Patriots’ leading preseason rusher through three games with 103 yards on 23 carries, a 4.5-yard average. He also has three catches for 33 yards and three kickoff returns for 78 yards, with a longest return of 27 yards.

“Patrick has probably been the beneficiary of extra opportunities in this training camp, and I think he has helped himself,” coach Bill Belichick said, also noting Pass’ performance on special teams.

“I’m not saying that’s anything new,” Belichick added. “But he has gotten some opportunities, and for the most part, he has been able to help himself with those repetitions.”

His emergence in the Patriots running attack helped make former Redmond expendable. On Sunday the Patriots released Redmond, who keyed the team’s playoff drive and Super Bowl victory in 2001 but played little, in part due to injuries, last season. nagging rib injury kept Redmond from practicing or playing in training camp.

“It’s always tough,” Pass said of Redmond being cut. “J.R. and I came in together four years ago, and just being here, and getting used to seeing someone here every day for four years, we became like brothers.”

Pass, a fourth-year player from Georgia, says he has been particularly focusing on special teams, which he sees as a means of increasing his value to the Patriots.

“I look at Don Beebe, a great special teams player,” Pass said of the former Buffalo great. “A lot of players have made a living off special teams. It’s something I really don’t take lightly because it’s just as fun as being out there 60 or 70 plays on offense or defense.”

AP-ES-08-25-03 1620EDT