BY ROBERT LEE
Journal Sports Writer

FOXBORO -- Vinny Testaverde spoke today for the first time inside the Patriots locker room about re-signing with New England.

He said that he was very excited that coach Bill Belichick wanted him back this season, his 21st in the NFL.

''He expressed interested in wanting me back and it was just a matter of me getting through the offseason and feeling mentally and physically like I wanted to come back,'' Testaverde said. ''Until I felt like I did, I didn’t want to tell him yes and then for some reason change my mind later. I didn’t want to leave him in a bad situation. Things seemed to work out and I’m excited to be back.''

The 43-year-old quarterback played in three regular-season games with the Patriots last season, including the finale in which he extended his streak to 20 seasons with at least one touchdown pass.

''I feel good in the fact that I’m playing for [Belichick],'' Testaverde said. " ...This organization, [owner Robert Kraft] is first class all the way and I want to be a part of that. I want to be a part of a team that is trying to win games and win championships. There is no better place to be then right here in New England.''

Testaverde provides an experienced backup to Tom Brady. The Patriots’ other quarterback, Matt Cassel, has thrown just 32 passes in two seasons with the team after playing sparingly as a backup at Southern California.

Brady is thrilled to have Testaverde back.

''He adds depth and he adds quality and experience and leadership and attitude and all those things you look for in a New England Patriot. He’s a perfect fit,'' Brady said.

Testaverde was out of the NFL last season when Belichick, who had only two quarterbacks on the roster, asked if he wanted to be an insurance policy.

''Vinny can still play that position at a good level,'' Belichick said. ''He brings us depth and experience at that spot … Based on last year, he’s still able to do the things that a quarterback needs to do to be productive in this league.''

Both Belichick and Testaverde said that they don’t know how much playing time Testaverde will get on Friday at Carolina.

''I’m just trying to learn the new plays that we got in right now,'' Testaverde said. ''I haven’t talked to anyone about playing. Whatever it’s going to be, it’ll be, and I’ll try and be as prepared as I can be.''

''He’ll play some,'' Belichick said. ''We haven’t really set playing time this week but I think he’ll definitely play some. We haven’t even talked about it, really.''

Testaverde, the top overall pick in the 1987 draft by Tampa Bay after winning the Heisman Trophy at Miami, also has played for Cleveland, Baltimore, the New York Jets and Dallas. Testaverde has started 208 of his 226 NFL games and is in the top 10 on the career lists for yards passing, attempts, completions and touchdown passes.

He said he never thought of retiring after last season.

''You just hear of a lot of guys who retire and a year later his body is starting to feel better and they say, 'Boy, I wish I could come back,' '' Testaverde said. ''They want to come back and it’s too late because they have been out of the game a year. It’s hard to get back in once you do that so I just kind of put my time in and hit the weight room and did the conditioning. If I do that and get through the offseason and I don’t want to play, then I’ll call it quits. I still have that hunger, that taste that I still want to go out and get a little bit more and thats why I do it.''

Maroney, Alexander in contact
Laurence Maroney and Eric Alexander shed their red, non-contact practice jerseys and were in full pads.

Maroney has stated all preseason long that he has been willing and ready for full contact since day one, but Belichick and the rest of the coaching staff held him back to keep him from getting injured and to save his legs from excessive wear and tear.

''He’s made steady progress,'' Belichick said.

Belichick said he expects Maroney to play in his first preseason game Friday night.

Practice participants
Offensive lineman Billy Yates returned to the field for the first time in more than a week today. However, wide receivers Jabar Gaffney and Randy Moss , safety Rashad Baker , defensive back Larry Anam , outside linebacker Russ Hochstein , tight end Kyle Brady , defensive end Ty Warren and linebacker Mike Wright did not practice. Nor did the usual PUPers, or holdout Asante Samuel.