FOXBORO — It was Aug. 26 last year against the Rams in week 3 of the preseason
That was the last time Buddy Farnham wore the real Patriots' No. 13 before the home fans here at Gillette Stadium.
Friends and family watched Farnham sit for 60 minutes. It hurt Andover's Farnham, who shrugged it off.
Last night in the exhibition opener here against Jacksonville, Farnham washed that bad taste away for good. The 2010 Brown University grad played one of many starring roles in a 47-12 shellacking of the Jaguars.
"I don't really want to talk about that, the past is the past," said Farnham, who has the "Patriot way" down pat when it comes to the media. "I don't even remember it."
Well, this one is a night he will remember.
Farnham's two-way performance — shining at receiver with three catches for 34 yards and then picking off a pass on defense when switched to safety in the fourth quarter — drew praise from Pats coach Bill Belichick in his opening remarks.
"We were able to make some plays and Buddy stepped in there," said Belichick, again without any prompting. "We've got a receiver leading the team in interceptions. It will be a point of embarrassment for the defensive backs. But it's all right. They deserve it."
For Farnham, it was just another day in training camp 2011, where he fights as a long shot to make the roster of his hometown football team.
"I'm a football player, I'll play whatever I have to that's best for the team," said Farnham, who was cut after the preseason last year and joined the team late in the season on the practice squad. "I didn't have any expectations, just prepare myself like I'm going to play the whole game. That's what I do."
He entered the game in the second quarter — facing a mixture of starters and second-teamers. Farnham ran sharp routes, blocked well on edge runs and caught one pass for three yards.
The former Andover High great added two more catches in the third from rookie Ryan Mallett. The first was a clutch 6-yarder on 4th-and-3 that kept a drive alive, resulting in Stevan Ridley's 1-yard TD. The other was good for 25 yards, pushing the Pats to the Jags' 21 on the way to another Ridley score.
And then, of course, there was the switch to safety and the fourth-quarter pick of Jacksonville's Todd Bouman.
"I just tried to read the quarterback and then just do whatever happens naturally," said Farnham. "Earlier this week I went over there (to defense) a little bit. Like I said, I'm just ready for anything.
"It's good to make some positive plays and to play a role on this team. But I'm always trying to get better. I'm never satisfied. Now, it's time to make corrections. I had a lot of fun, just relax and play football like I have my whole life."
Thad Young breaks out of his slump in Sixers' loss
Cormier prepares for Strikeforce 40 fight with Barnett
Thad Young's impressive block and layup
Sixers fix mistakes in Game 2 and finish off the Celtics
76ers even series with Celtics
Collins on a sloppy and physical Game 2 win
Sixers on learning how to close out game
Dei Lynam recaps the Sixers' win in Boston
The Sixers' youth played key role in Game 2 win
Sixers on Lavoy Allen's strong play vs. Garnett in Game 2
The Phillies are finding some consistency
Blanton is happy to be healthy and contributing
Polanco talks about his 2,000th career hit
Blanton happy to be healthy and contributing
The Phillies are searching for consistency
Inside the Sixers' locker room after Game 6
Sixers talk about overcoming the odds to win
Iguodala shares his thoughts on final free throws
Collins: 'I'm a Sixer for life'
Sixers excited to face Boston in the 2nd round
Game Story: 76ers steal Game 2 in Boston
Valentine: 'That's called a complete game'
Celtics looking to Game 3; 'We'll be hyped, too'
Celtics look to steal another from 76ers
Game Story: C's wrap up series vs Hawks
Pierce: 'Playing like this is it'
Garnett: 'Thank you to their owner'
Garnett's message to the doubters
Celtics eliminate Hawks
Beckett: Can't keep doing this to bullpen
Beckett on golf outing: 'My off day's my off day'
Carl Beane memorial banner at Fenway Park
Tebow, Sanchez practice together
Globe 10.0: Is game 6 a must win for the Celtics?
Globe 10.0: Should Middlebrooks start over Youkilis?
Celtics fall in Game 5
Hawks avoid elimination
Pierce: 'Now we have to go home and get the job done'
Rondo: 'Horford is a big difference for Hawks'
Allen: 'This was a frustrating loss'
