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Alumni News
Fauria scored his second touchdown of the season (18th of his 10-year career) last Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. With the Patriots [stats, news] leading 28-14 in the third quarter, the 6-foot-4, 250-pound veteran out of Colorado skied high to snatch a Tom Brady [news] pass from 17 yards out. The score gave the Pats a three-score cushion and helped guarantee his team would go to 12-1 and clinch the AFC East title. Fauria, who led the Pats with seven TD receptions in 2002 and tied for the league lead among tight ends that season, hopes to maintain some of last week's momentum. The game against the Bengals ``was great,'' he said. ``I loved it, it was fun.'' Still, Fauria sees himself as a role player willing to do whatever is asked to help the Pats on their path to another championship. ``The thing on this team you know, is basically, `Tell me where you need me' and I'll adjust accordingly,'' he said. ``If that means playing more, fine and if it means playing less and having a smaller but important role, then I'll do that, too. ``It's all planned on getting to the big show (translation: Super Bowl) at the end and however we can get there, we'll do it.'' Fauria's transition back into a starting role was a smooth one, even though he knew it would mean a lot more plays. But Fauria said his conditioning was not a worry. ``I thought it might be, but it wasn't. I had done a lot of running,'' he said with a grin. He may be doing plenty more against Miami in a few days. But like his teammates, Fauria is not about to take the 2-11 Dolphins lightly, especially since the underdogs have traditionally been top dog in their own house against New England. And the warmer weather won't make much difference, he believes. ``I think it's tough no matter what time of year we go down there,'' he said. ``I don't think the temperature is going to be as staggering as it usually is, but it seems it's always difficult for us in Miami.'' Earlier in his career, Fauria admitted that a ``Monday Night Football'' game on national TV before millions of fans was a big thing. No longer. ``It was really exciting my first Monday night game but now I just try to think of it as a regular game,'' he said. ``I try not to get all involved in the hype of `Monday Night Football,' because usually, if I'm not playing in it, I'm in bed by 9:30 or 10. ``So I don't even watch it.'' His focus instead is on helping to insure the Pats play well in their remaining three regular-season games, and then prepare for the postseason. ``As long as we keep a handle on our business, and keep doing what we're doing,'' Fauria said, ``in the end it will kind of work itself out.'' |