Colvin eyes comeback… or does he?

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Today's Twitter buzz has a particular tone. NFL free agency has begun and fans are practically frothy with fantasy football-type expectations (It's worth pointing out, as other writers have, that the Eagles were last year's FA "winner." Loser? Super Bowl Champion New York Giants.)

But a different message caught my eye on Twitter. I was asked to confirm that Rosevelt Colvin is planning a comeback to the NFL.

Curious.

The former Patriot's newsfeed revealed 59comeback and colvin2012 hashtags. But who knows with Twitter? It's sometimes impossible to tell what's sincere and what's sarcastic, tone being so tough to coax out of any combination of 1-140 characters.

So I asked him.

"I'm working out but not pressing if it happens. All these people cut by the Colts, I'm gonna walk over there and just try out," Colvin joked.

Despite what I'll assume is your first thought, he says the recent NFL return of Randy Moss was not an inspiration. The feeling is bigger than one man.

"As athletes, if you compete on the highest level you never get that fix in anything else," the longtime linebacker said. "Most guys get forced out of the game. I could have still played when I retired but I had some family health issues I needed to handle."

Colvin's fans are digitally praying, begging via Twitter for him to pull on that old Patriots jersey. In a way it's not surprising. If Patriots fans could get their hands on a Way-Back machine and transport New England's 2004 defense to present-day Gillette, they would. They will never stop reminiscing about those players who could "cut the lights out" on an opposing offense.

But professional athletes have a more accelerated career expiration rate than their most adoring fans can face. Think Moss has rust? Colvin is 34; he's been out of football since 2008.

Nobody is more aware than he.

"It's a long shot, especially out that way in New England," Colvin said. "Once Bill moves on he's done. I'm not pressing about it anyway. Really, working out is for my health."

Though Colvin longs for the NFL's competition and camaraderie, he made it clear he's not planning to bust down doors looking for a job. Maybe the Tweets are just a flirtation. Maybe if he gets a response, it will turn into something more.

For now it's just hope.

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