A Polite introduction

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FOXBORO -- Lousaka Polite was at home in Miami when he got the phone call from his agent. The 30-year old fullback, then working as a full-time dad to his daughter Anya, was needed in New England.

He hasn't played football since training camp.

You just never know, he said before his new locker Wednesday. As the weeks go by, you just dont know whats going to happen. Theres always a little, tiny bit of doubt because you dont know what to expect. But you just need to stay ready, stay in shape and luckily, I just got the call.

Polite, or "Lou," as he's asked to be called, is a seven-year NFL vet. He spent the last three seasons with the Dolphins where he earned a reputation as a short-yardage specialist.

According to PhinFever.com, Polite had 15 carries on third or fourth-and-1 situations in 2010 and converted 14 to first downs. His 92.3-percent success (12 for 13) on third down lead the league for running backs. Since 2008, Polite has rushed 43 times on third or fourth-and-1 and muscled his way to 41 first downs. 20 of those drives yielded at least six points.

"It takes a lot of studying," Polite said of his success. "You have to treat each situation as a different one, just like a snowflake. You might have had success running through one gap but that's going to change. Things slant, they have different ideas to try and stop you. You can't be stuck in one mindset; you've got to be flexible as far as making adjustments.

"It's a combination of study and instinct. If you do all your work throughout the week studying then your natural ability will take over. "

So why in the heck did Miami let him go?

The team struggled with the overall ground game last season. Polite has also been tapped for poor lead-blocking. But there's something to be said for a general decline of the position. The Patriots haven't really employed a fullback since Heath Evans, instead using different tight end variations, and the trend is common throughout the league.

"The game is always evolving. Things happen and the fullback is kind of a dinosaur position, I guess you could say," he smiled. "But as long as I'm healthy and here I'll do my best to stick around."

In what capacity, well, no one knows.

Bill Belichick was characteristically mum about what the new guy's role will be. Though the Patriots were rumored to be working out fullbacks in Week 4 none were signed. Would New England now change up the offense to accommodate one? Not likely. But Polite does have experience with special teams, which is a well-known plus in the mind of his new coach, and it's possible his short-yardage expertise could be called upon.

Tom Brady had six rushes two weeks ago in Denver. He had nine in last Week 16's win over Miami. A toe injury is hampering BenJarvus Green-Ellis and uncertainty in rookie Stevan Ridley might be what's pushed Brady into the breach. Regardless, the consequences are more than two touchdowns to pad his scoring stats.

Against the Dolphins Brady tried Ridley on a third quarter third-and-1 but the run was stuffed. The quarterback carried the ball himself on fourth down.

Somewhere among his carries came fear Brady separated his shoulder. A post-game X-ray revealed the shoulder is intact, as Patriots Insider Tom E. Curran reports, but the Patriots will want to avoid what put him in that position in the first place. It wouldn't be unwise to call for reinforcements.

The 6-0, 245-pound Polite says he's up for anything.

"Im just learning, learning as much as I can," he said. "Everything is new to me, so Im just trying to learn and well just go from there, he said. Im willing to do anything. Ive played special teams, and Im just willing to do whatever it takes to contribute to the team."

He's not the only one curious to see what exactly that means.

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