Injury Gives Agnew Chance With Patriots

The forgotten man of the New England Patriots wants everybody to remember one thing.

“I consider myself a football player,” he said. “It’s not like I haven’t played before.”

Defensive lineman Ray Agnew used to play a lot. This season, they stopped calling his number. Or, rather, Patriots Coach Bill Parcells did.

Agnew’s number got called Week Two, Week Three, Week Four, Week Five and Week Six. Each time, the PA announcer would say, “No. 92, Ray Agnew, inactive.”

Inactive. Agnew had always been active. He was a first-round draft pick in 1990 out of North Carolina State (10th overall) and he started 34 games his first four seasons. He wasn’t spectacular, but he was dependable.

The Patriots are depending on Agnew again. He will start at nose tackle Sunday when the Patriots (7-6) hope to further their playoff aspirations against the Indianapolis Colts (6-7).

Agnew, converted to nose tackle this season, will replace Tim Goad, who broke his right leg last Sunday in the 23-14 victory over the New York Jets. It will be the first start at nose tackle for Agnew, who turned 27 Friday.

“I’m glad that I’m getting a chance to play, but I didn’t want it to happen this way, especially since Tim’s a good friend,” Agnew said.

Goad was hurt while trying to pressure quarterback Boomer Esiason. In came Agnew, who recorded four tackles and knocked down a pass. It was a solid contribution, one that Agnew had never given up hope of making.

“When I got in, it was important to me that there not be a letdown from what Tim was doing,” Agnew said. “I was excited to get a chance to play. My adrenaline was flowing.”

Parcells had to caution him against standing over an opponent and risking a penalty by taunting.

Agnew lost his starting job to Mike Pitts last season, one game into the Parcells era. He was a bit player all of 1993 and that continued this season. When active, he played sparingly.

“I have a lot of respect for Ray Agnew,” Parcells said. “He’s a real team player. Things aren’t perfect for him. He never says anything. He just comes out and practices and plays. Any time you ask him to do something, he does it. He’ll do a good job.”

The loss of Goad is a big one. He typified the Patriots’ defense -- somewhat undersized, maybe, but he tried hard. Agnew, 6-foot-3, 272 pounds, is out of the same mold. He is very soft-spoken, but resilient; he played one season after having the tip of a finger severed.

His mental toughness was tested by the time spent standing on the sideline in street clothes.

“I don’t believe in causing trouble,” he said. “I don’t go running to the press to complain. The way I look at it, people who do that are looking for a way out. They’re looking for excuses. I just think that if you’re in a bad situation, you do everything you can to work your way out. Some way. Somehow. I pride myself on being a man.”