Junior waits, Rodney baits; Patriots may add Seau, 40.

• Position: SPORTS

Byline: Rich Garven

FOXBORO - Two former Patriots are causing quite a stir around here.

Junior Seau suddenly has become silent, but there's plenty of talk about the 40-year-old linebacker returning to New England for - hold onto your fedora - a third go-round. Meanwhile, Rodney Harrison continues to make waves on the airwaves with his relentless chatter.

First, Seau.

ESPN's Adam Schefter, who dishes out more scoops than Ben & Jerry's, reported Sunday night the Patriots will sign Seau this week. Seau let it be known earlier this month he's got about six games left in him - all for the Patriots.

Coach Bill Belichick was asked yesterday to comment on the rumored reunion. He provided a response, which shouldn't be confused with an answer.

"Well, I noticed he was doing some bull riding, bull stomping, or some bulls were stomping him, or whatever it was," Belichick said, referencing an episode from the TV reality show "Sports Jobs with Junior Seau," in which Seau suited up as a rodeo clown.

"We'll have to take a look at that workout and see how he looked doing that."

Later, on WEEI radio, Belichick admitted Seau took a physical and the team is "considering" signing him.

The general line of thinking was if the Patriots did call on Seau, it would be toward the end of the season, either as an injury replacement or to add depth and experience for a playoff push. So why now?

Since Seau figures to be used in a situational role, perhaps for 10-15 plays a game, bringing him in now might have something to do with the Patriots' defense being ranked 24th on third-down stops (40.9 percent) and tied for 18th in the red zone (54.5).

And, if he's used in small doses, perhaps the Patriots will be able squeeze the rest of the season out of Seau.

As for Harrison, the NBC analyst for "Football Night in America" turned heads when he looked into the camera Sunday night and said, "Tom Brady, if you're listening, take off the skirt and put on some slacks. Toughen up."

Harrison's comments came after watching the Baltimore Ravens get penalized twice for roughing up Brady in their 27-21 loss to the Patriots earlier that day. Brady was nicked on both plays and lobbied for a call on the second after getting touched on the knee.

Harrison went on WEEI radio yesterday and said he was amazed at the stir his comments created. He also said he texted Brady ahead of time to let his buddy in on the pseudo-joke.

Lost in the Harrison hubbub is the fact that former Colts coach and...