FOXBORO, Mass. (AP) – One of the top goals for the New England Patriots coaching staff between seasons was to get younger along the defensive line.

They accomplished this partly through attrition – Ted Washington, 36, and Bobby Hamilton, 33, left for the Oakland Raiders through free agency, and the contracts expired for Anthony Pleasant, 36, and Rick Lyle, 33.

But while a new generation of Patriot linemen is ready to move into the limelight, there’s still a need for veteran leadership. That’s where 34-year-old Keith Traylor and recent acquisition Dana Stubblefield, 33, come in.

Traylor is seen as a bridge between what was and what will be along the Patriots’ defensive line. He’s the most logical candidate to succeed Washington at nose tackle in the Patriots’ 3-4 alignment until rookie Vince Wilfork is ready to take over for the long term.

“I like a challenge this time of year,” Traylor said. “That’s what keeps you going after 10, 11, 12 years. The competition is good, and it’s going to be good during the season when you’ve got somebody going down and somebody can step in who’s just as good.”

Traylor is a typical free-agent hire for Patriots coach Bill Belichick and his personnel chief, Scott Pioli. He’s an experienced veteran whose salary requirements aren’t in the stratosphere.

He has 12 years’ solid experience with Denver, Kansas City and Chicago. He’s experienced in the 4-3, but smart enough to make the transition to a 3-4. And, because he’s got some mileage on him and was rehabilitating from a sore ankle when he hit free agency, other teams weren’t beating a path to his door to offer him a huge contract.

Traylor also already has a pair of Super Bowl rings from the Denver Broncos in 1997 and 1998.

“I’m trying to prove that I can play this defense,” he said. “I’m a football player and I’ve been in the league long enough to know that I can get the job done. I just want to prove it.”