At 3-2 the New England Patriots look like a pretty average football team. Last week the Denver Broncos were unstoppable in overtime. The Patriots defense couldn't get the Broncos offense off the field.

The Patriots defense is composed of some good veterans and some potentially talented youngsters. But clearly they've lost some key players to other teams or to retirement. Unless you read the Boston papers and blogs you might not know that another 40 year old un-retired (again) yesterday. No I'm not talking about Brett Favre, but a man who is eight months Favre's senior.

Junior Seau, surfer, TV reality show host, and football linebacker is back for another semester with the New England Patriots. Seau, whose career began almost 20 years ago, is back wearing number 55.

He is a very interesting man. My wife, has become a Seau fan over the last three years he's played in New England. She's not even a football fan. In his prime, Mr. Seau, I can't bring myself to call a 40 year old "Junior," was a premier linebacker.

He's well into the autumn, if not the winter of his career as a football player, but he brings a level of intensity and passion with him. While skills mave have diminished, he brings, intangibles into the locker room. Jerod Mayo, who won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honor in 2008, and is seen as a star on the rise was 4 years old when Mr. Seau was a rookie.

Mayo, is ecstatic that Seau is back, seeing him as mentor from whom he can learn. Mentors in the business world are few and far between, so for a talented athelete to get excited about Mr. Seau's return may mean it could make a difference to this team.

Football is a team sport, and defensive football is all about assignments, responsibility, and execution. From a football IQ perspective, Mr. Seau's skills have not diminshed, while his physical skills certainly have.

I have a great deal of respect for his humility and his interest in wanting that elusive championship ring. I don't know if his fans in San Diego or Miami hold him in disdain for playing for hated Patriots. He certainly is a man who I admire for his ability to stay in shape and do what he loves to do. Will he make a difference? I think so. I'm thinking it maybe in the locker room, rather than on the field.  What do you think?