Law on their side again?

Former Patriot would welcome homecoming

By Mike Reiss
Globe Staff / March 2, 2008

Not long after the plane had touched down in Kansas City two years ago, Ty Law's phone rang and a familiar voice was on the other end. It was Bill Belichick.

Law was en route to Chiefs headquarters to sign a five-year, $30 million contract that he felt reflected his value as a top free agent cornerback. The Patriots coach wanted to know if it was too late for him to consider a return to New England.
"I was so close to just walking and turning around, but at that point, I just felt I couldn't turn back," Law said. "I had just gotten off the plane, so what was I going to say to them in Kansas City? I had given them my word."
If anything, the conversation reflected how the Patriots still had a hold on Law's heart. It also let him know bygones were bygones with his former coach, whom he had called a liar on his way out of town - a comment he later said he regretted making.
So now, after two largely unfulfilling seasons in Kansas City, Law is wondering whether Belichick and vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli will be hitting redial. A reunion would seem to make sense; the Chiefs have told Law he will be released and the Patriots are seeking cornerback help.
"No matter what, I'll always be a part of New England, the Patriots, and they'll always be a part of me," Law said. "I think the fans feel the same way. We both had ups and downs, but we shared more success than anything. If it could happen again, it would be like things coming full circle. We're both still standing."
Law was in town last week after taking part in an NFL-sponsored program at Harvard Business School, and his presence at a Celtics game Wednesday night fueled speculation that a return to New England may be imminent. But because the Chiefs have yet to officially release him, Law is not free to speak with interested clubs.
At this point in his career, Law's priorities might be slightly different. While it's hard to imagine he would accept a hometown discount - that's never been his way, and he still feels he's a starting cornerback - he appears more willing to be flexible with a contender if things are close.
He'll also look closely at the style of a team's defense, as he believes his skills weren't maximized the last two seasons.
"I thought the opportunity was a great one at the time, but to be honest, it wasn't the best playing experience for me by any means," he said. "I feel that if you put me in a situation that takes advantage of my skills, I could be in Hawaii [at the Pro Bowl] the next three years. But you have to be in the right scheme of things to showcase your talent."
That's why if the Patriots ultimately express interest, and a financial offer is competitive, Law would be thrilled with the idea of finishing his career where he began it as a first-round draft choice in 1995.
"I like to move around [on defense], and that was the one thing about New England, we didn't stay still, we were moving around," Law explained. "The quarterback didn't know what we were doing.
"I might be 10 yards off but playing a two-deep zone. I might be up in your face but not necessarily playing man-to-man; I might be covering the deep part of the field.
"Belichick always gave us that freedom, saying, 'OK, you got it until you mess it up. Once you mess it up, it's back to my way.' At least he gave you that leeway until you screwed it up."
Law didn't feel he had that luxury in Kansas City, where he most often lined up on the left side while Patrick Surtain was on the right. He felt the defense performed better when he and Surtain were matching up against specific receivers.
While Law didn't miss a game with the Chiefs and totaled six interceptions, some observers wondered whether he could still compete at a high level. Always confident in his abilities, Law dismissed that thought, while seemingly agreeing that New England would be a good place to prove those critics wrong.
"I know I'm still a starting cornerback in this game," he shot back. "I'm going to be on the field and I'm going to make plays, given the opportunity. I think I proved that, even at Kansas City, when the opportunities were few and far in between, if I get my hands on that ball, I'm catching it.
"The opportunity to come back to New England, it would be like a dream come true. People would ask me ,'Don't you wish you were still on New England when they were trying for 19-0 and playing in the Super Bowl,' and the answer is, 'Hell, yeah, everyone wants to be in the Super Bowl.' Everybody wants to play in the big game."
The 2008 season will mark Law's 14th in the NFL, although he points out that at 34, he's a "young" 14-year veteran. Taking a line from Patriots safety Rodney Harrison, Law noted, "It's different now; the 30s are the new 20s.
"I'm kind of free-spirited right now," he said. "You would never think that somebody would be so looking forward to getting fired. This is like getting drafted to me. I have that same enthusiasm.
"I know that I'm going to play football and I can still play. I have that confidence in myself. If I go to the right team, I think I'm going to help them get over the hump and make them a contender. If it is a contender, I'm going to help them be a championship team from leadership and experience and everything else."