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BY TRAVIS LAZARCZYK Staff Writer 06/27/2009

enlarge Photo by Jeff Pouland

A LITTLE FOOTBALL: New England Patriots linebacker Eric Alexander leads youngsters in a drill during the 13th annual Central Maine Youth Football Clinic on Friday night in Waterville. The clinic continues from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today and 9-11 a.m. Sunday at fields located near the Alfond Youth Center on North Street and is open to boys and girls in grades one through eight.

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WATERVILLE -- New England Patriots' linebacker Vince Redd introduced himself to the campers at the Central Maine Youth Football Clinic with a simple question.

"How many of y'all know me?" Redd said.

A few, but nowhere near a majority, campers raised their hands. If the upcoming season goes as Redd hopes, even the most casual Patriots fan will recognize his name.

Redd, a second-year linebacker, joined veteran New England linebacker Eric Alexander and former Patriot defensive tackle Ray Hamilton, the current defensive line coach for the Atlanta Falcons, as instructors at the three-day football clinic, which runs through Sunday at the Alfond Youth Center fields on North Street.

An undrafted free agent out of Liberty University, Redd was signed to New England's practice squad at the end of training camp. On Nov. 22, Redd was added to the active roster and saw his first NFL action the next day against the Miami Dolphins.

Redd played in five games last season, seeing action mostly on special teams.

"I couldn't have picked a better place to come," Redd said of the Patriots. "If I'm lucky enough, hopefully I'll remain on the team."

Now entering his sixth season, Alexander is also fighting for a spot in New England's linebacking corps. Predominantly a special teams player throughout his career, Alexander missed most of the 2008 season with a lower leg injury. Before beginning drills with campers on Friday afternoon, Alexander said he feels healthy.

"I don't think anyone who plays this game wants to be hurt," Alexander said, "but I don't think (the injury) was a setback... I just want to be the best football player I can be."

Alexander is listed as a backup inside linebacker on the latest unofficial Patriots' depth chart on the team's Web site, while Redd is listed as a third-team outside linebacker. Redd, who will turn 24 two weeks before the start of the regular season, thinks his age might be his best asset in a crowded field of linebackers, although he won't limit his chances to make the roster to just one position.

"Youth, more than anything else," Redd said. "I want to get out there and play anything the Patriots want me to."

This weekend is the first visit to Maine for Redd, a native of Tennessee.

"It's beautiful, just like they said it is," Redd said. "It's always good to teach kids."

This is the second year in a row Alexander has coached at the Central Maine Youth Football Clinic.

"Just being with the kids and teaching them something they can take with them is good," Alexander said.

Travis Lazarczyk -- 861-9242

tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com

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