By ROBERT LEE
Journal Sports Writer

FOXBORO -- Brandon McGowan has made a living in the NFL as a safety, but he is taking on more responsibility with the Patriots by playing multiple positions.

Like former Patriots star safety Rodney Harrison did before him, McGowan, against the Jets anyway, played more of a hybrid linebacker/safety role, and he is expected to do more of the same in the future, Patriots coach Bill Belichick said.

"He's a versatile player that has some flexibility and can do different things," Belichick said. "[He] can play close to the line of scrimmage. [He] can play further away from the line of scrimmage. [McGowan] has shown an ability to play zone and man coverage -- as I said -- tackle in the open field. [He] plays with good speed and range and he's tough. We'll see where all that goes. But I think he certainly has the ability and potential to have flexibility in our defensive plans."

McGowan had five solo tackles against the Jets. Belichick said that there are several reasons why the Patriots sought out to sign McGowan when he was a free agent back in May.

"Well, really pretty much everything he did was impressive defensively and in the kicking game," Belichick said of McGowan. "He runs well. He's athletic. He's a hard-hitting guy. He covers a lot of ground, pretty instinctive. He reads things well, does a good job in the pass coverage. [McGowan] really became a starting safety for the Bears and then got injured, missed some time -- had a couple setbacks there in terms of not being able to play.

"But from an ability and production standpoint -- when he was in there -- he did a lot of good things on defense and in the kicking game. He does a good job blocking in the return game, covers well. Like I said, [he] tackles well in the open field, has good range, good space player. I think there are really a lot of things to like about his game."

McGowan was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2005 after starting 33 of the 34 games he played in at the University of Maine. He played in eight games as a rookie, starting the final three, but missed the first seven games of 2006 after beginning the season on the team's Physically Unable to Perform list. He played in one game and then was placed on injured reserve with an Achilles injury.

In 2007, McGowan recorded a career-best 80 tackles and 2 interceptions, but on Sept. 17, 2008, McGowan was placed on season-ending injured reserve with an ankle injury.

He signed with the Patriots on May 5.