Patriots look to air Jordan.

Byline: Jennifer Toland

FOXBORO - Cutdown day came and went last weekend, and running back LaMont Jordan survived.

"I'm a Patriot," Jordan said. "I can finally say I'm a Patriot. I'm excited."

Coach Bill Belichick hinted late in training camp that the Patriots would keep five running backs, and they did. Jordan, a free-agent pickup who was released by Oakland in July, rounds out a group that also includes Laurence Maroney, Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk and Heath Evans.

Jordan is expected to fill in for Faulk as New England's change-of-pace back in Sunday's opener against the Chiefs at Gillette Stadium. Faulk is serving a one-game suspension handed down by the league for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy during the offseason.

Playing behind Curtis Martin, Jordan was used a lot as a third-down back during his four seasons with the Jets, and has proven to be an effective pass-catcher out of the backfield with 158 career receptions for 1,301 yards. During the 2005 season, his first with the Raiders, he was the only player in the NFL to rank in the top 20 in receptions, rushing yards from scrimmage, first downs and scoring.

"I'll be prepared for anything," the 5-foot-10, 230-pound Jordan said. "I've always been a back who feels like I can do everything - third down, goal line. I think I'm an every-down back and I think I've proven that within my seven years in the league. It's just a matter of making sure I know what to do. That way, when I get my opportunity, I can go out there and put my team in the best position to win."

Despite missing two games, Jordan - with 25 carries for 103 yards and a touchdown- put up the best numbers of any Patriots running back during the preseason.

"He is a good football player," said Chiefs coach Herman Edwards, who drafted Jordan in the second round in 2001 while coaching the Jets. "He's tough, he's a physical runner, and he has real good hands. I'm glad he landed in New England. He's on a football team that's a very good football team and he can help them."

After a solid 2005 season when he rushed for a career-high 1,025 yards, things fell apart for Jordan in Oakland. He played in just nine games in 2006, and last year - after injuring his back in Week 4 - lost his starting job and had just 19 carries over the second half of the season.

Feeling "unwanted," Jordan asked for his release in November. After banning him from the team's mini-camp and training camp, the Raiders granted his wish July 25. Twenty-four hours later, he was here.

"When you get a call from Bill Belichick and you're a free agent and you're coming from a situation that was hardly ever bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, it's an opportunity you want to take advantage of," Jordan said. "I just wanted to get back to playing winning football. The fact that I got a call from the Patriots lets me know somebody out there still thinks I can play this game.

"I'm excited about it. I know what's expected of me and I have my own expectations, which I think are higher than any expectations anyone else can set."

Morris got off to a good start in 2007, but a clavicle-sternum injury ended his season after six games. Maroney struggled with consistency and his own nagging injuries before getting it going late in the year.

Five healthy backs give the Patriots lots of versatility at the position.

"We've got a great group of guys in the backfield," Jordan said. "You don't hear any (complaining) or bickering about getting the ball. I think we all know where we stand. (Having five backs) makes our backfield deep and our offense better."

Jordan, like the rest of his new teammates, is looking forward to getting 2008 under way. He chuckled this week when asked to recall his first opener.

"It was against the Colts at the Meadowlands and I sat on the bench most of the time," he said. "It was hot. I was nervous. I got in there for a two-minute drill at the end of the game and I remember feeling like I had played the entire game, I was so tired. It was just the nerves, the jitters, the excitement of football."

NAME: NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 

ART: PHOTO

PHOTOG: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

CUTLINE: LaMont Jordan has proven a versatile back and he'll be expected to carry an increased load for the Patriots this weekend.