Through five games, S Patrick Chung, the Patriots' top draft pick who was, in essence, dealt for Mike Vrabel and Matt Cassel, was playing well on special teams — but that was it. He had only a handful of snaps on defense as Brandon Meriweather, James Sanders and Brandon McGowan were the top three safeties on the depth chart.

But in the three games since then, Chung has been a valuable nickel and dime safety and has shown his versatility with two sacks, an interception, several hits in the run game and good coverage as well.

Just don't ask Chung if he has arrived yet. "I haven't done anything so far," Chung told PFW. "I have just gotten started."

The Patriots' coaches never talked to Chung about playing time coming into this season, only saying that the key to getting on the field was to work hard and learn from mistakes. "They said to do my best to help my team and the playing time would come," he said. "They said just to do my job … period. Go hard, period."

Chung made his mark on special teams — at gunner, as one of the two "vice" corners covering the gunner on punt returns, and also blocking on kickoff returns. He hasn't yet had a chance to return kickoffs or punts, something he did well at Oregon, and Chung is willing to defer to others, saying, "that's what they are paid to do." But when pressed, it's clear that Chung would be more than happy to be a return specialist if given the chance. "If they do need me," Chung said, laughing, "I am right here."

And though he'll continue to be a big factor on special teams, Chung likely will be counted on more on defense in the upcoming weeks than before. That's because the Patriots are likely to utilize more nickel and dime packages with the high-powered passing attacks of the Colts, Saints and Texans left on the schedule. And that means that three first- or second-year DBs — Chung, plus CBs Darius Butler and Jonathan Wilhite — will be asked to carry heavy responsibilities down the stretch.

For his part, Chung says he simply needs to hold down the mental part of his job to carry out his increased workload. "I just need to keep working, keep learning the playbook and stay on the field," he said. "Wherever I am at, that's where I am going to help the team."

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