SAN JOSE, Calif. – Ty Warren declared himself “very close” to being ready to play against the Raiders this weekend.

The Pats d-lineman, who has missed the past couple of games with a nagging groin injury, has been on the practice field all week out here in California. But Warren revealed that, whenever he returns to game action, he’d only be available on obvious running down.

“Oh, yeah. Honestly, I’ve had to swallow my pride and selfishness as a player to tell the coaches that, ‘Hey, I’m really no good to you on the passing downs. I won’t be the rest of the season. I can help on the run … that’s pretty much going to be my role.”

After the season, Warren said he’d have to have the groin “taken care of,” which likely means surgery of some kind.  But for now, Warren is trying to do whatever he can to help his team win its remaining three games.

“The good thing is, I’m doing good,” he said with his familiar smile. “Look forward to being out there this Sunday. “

SAN JOSE, Calif. – On this final day of practice here at San Jose State University, Kevin O’Connell spent a few minutes prior to today’s session talking with the media.

He became a suddenly pivotal figure for the Patriots this week when the status of starter Matt Cassel was in doubt.  But the rookie QB told reporters that his concern for Cassel took precedence.

“More than anything, it’s just been about being there for Matt as a friend and a teammate, at the same time, preparing to play a really good Raiders team. As a team, we’ve just tried to come together, but it doesn’t take much because we are such a close group of guys.”

I asked him what he said to Cassel, whose father died Monday, to help boost his spirits.

“You know, it’s hard,” O’Connell admitted. “We’ve all lost family members, but when it’s something so sudden like that, it hits you in a way you can’t imagine. I couldn’t really speak from experience and a lot of guys can’t. All you can do is say your prayers are with him. I know all of us put our hands out to him and let him know we cared about his situation and we’re going to be there for him no matter what.

“He’s doing really well,” O’Connell continued. “He’s one of the most mentally strong guys I know. I’ve learned a lot from him this season. I saw it as an opportunity to kind of give a little back to him. He’s given me so much this year. I’ve just tried to be around him and be there for him.

“It’s one of those things that you can’t comprehend until it happens to you. It’s such a difficult thing to get through, but he’s a strong, tough guy. I know football’s done him good this week since he’s been back. We’re just going to continue to be there for him.” 

When Cassel missed Wednesday’s practice to be with his family, O’Connell took more reps as the temporary starter. But that’s about the only thing that’s changed for O’Connell this week, he said, in terms of his preparation for Oakland.

“I mean, more importantly, every week, I’ve got to be prepared because I am one snap away. It didn’t really change much other than the mental reps turned into being under center and calling the plays and stuff. I’m just focusing on the game plan like I always would.”

SAN JOSE, Calif. – There were a few more clouds in the sky, but the temperatures were slightly warmer as the Patriots returned to San Jose State University for another day of practice. Players dressed in helmets, shoulder pads, and sweatpants.

With the return of Cassel, only three players were missing from action – the same three from yesterday: safety James Sanders and linebackers Tedy Bruschi and Pierre Woods.

As Wilfork was finishing up his interview with the media just minutes before the start of practice, his teammate on the D-line, Ty Warren, ran by, tugged at the back of Wilfork’s jersey, and announced to the gathering, “Sorry guys, he’s gotta go.”  Wilfork looked over and saw Warren grinning, so he turned back to the media and said, “Ladies and gentlemen … Ty Warren.” With that, the duo laughed as they ran off to practice.

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Rookie linebacker Jerod Mayo is thrilled to have Junior Seau back on the team, telling reporters that he’s already learning a lot from the 19-year veteran. In particular, Seau’s trademark intensity is starting to rub off on Mayo.

“Yeah, yeah … the intensity of his pre-game speeches, the intensity on the practice field. I’m trying to take as much as I can from him while he’s here.”

In the Patriots’ suddenly injury-plagued linebacker corps, Mayo has been a steady force all season. A reporter pointed out that he’s now among the more experienced players on the roster at his position, at least from a total number of snaps standpoint.

“To be honest, I’m still out there, just trying to find my way around,” he insisted. “My athleticism is still helping me along the way. I feel like I’m picking it up a little bit, but at the same time, I’m not where I want to be yet.

“Coach said there’s no rookies out here anymore, but I still feel like a rookie,” he laughed. “It’s crazy, but those guys have a lot more years than I do. But it’s a challenge I’m willing to take on.”

And forget about a rookie wall for Mayo. He said he feels great at this point in the season and is looking forward to the home stretch. 

“Coach told us every game is a playoff game from here on out, and that’s how we have to approach it … it’s a new game plan every week, so, it stays interesting.”

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Proclaiming that he felt “better … a lot better,” nose tackle Vince Wilfork told reporters Thursday that he intends to suit up for Sunday’s game in Oakland. You may recall that he left the Seattle game last weekend with a shoulder injury and never returned to action.

“Oh, yeah … oh, yeah … No question. I’m ready for Sunday,” he said. “I wanted to play [the rest of the Seahawks game], but I just couldn’t. I couldn’t move my arm at all. ”

Wilfork revealed that the pain was intense when he first suffered the injury, but that it has since subsided. He’s still sore, he admitted, but in the heat of a playoff chase, he wants to be out there with his teammates.

“I’m very fortunate that it wasn’t anything major. I’m ready to grind it out. I’m looking forward to grinding it out.”

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Matt Cassel was back with his teammates on the practice field Thursday.

During the team stretching period, head coach Bill Belichick went over to talk with his quarterback, but the exchange was out of earshot of the media who were present. Belichick appeared to do most of the talking, however, with Cassel nodding his head in agreement from time to time.  He then joined his fellow QBs in passing drills when practice commenced.

Cassel did not speak to the media, nor is he expected to before Sunday’s game against Oakland, according to the Patriots media relations department. We still don’t know for certain if Cassel will play, but today’s developments appear to be a step in that direction.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Today’s Boston Globe is reporting that funeral services for Greg Cassel are scheduled for this Monday.

Under the circumstances, it remains unclear if his son, Pats QB Matt Cassel, will be available for Sunday’s game against the Raiders in Oakland. He was excused from Wednesday’s practice to attend to his family’s affairs in southern California.

Cassel grew up in the Los Angeles suburb of Northridge; his father, who was divorced from his mother, had been living in San Bernardino, about an hour and a half east of there.

New England continues its preparations for the game later today at San Jose State University. We’ll share any updates we get here on this blog and on Patriots.com.

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Center Dan Koppen was one of several players who expressed their sadness over the death of Matt Cassel’s father.

“I talked to him last night. He’s doing OK, but … I don’t know what you say to a guy in that situation. He’s a strong kid. He’ll come back.”

It’s unclear at this point how long Cassel will be away from the team. At least for today, Koppen will be snapping to backup QB Kevin O’Connell in practice.

“He’s got to step up and take the reins for the day,” Koppen said of the rookie. “He’s very capable. “

SAN JOSE, Calif. – DL Richard Seymour, who had the unfortunate experience of dealing with the death of his own father a few years ago, commented today about the passing of Matt Cassel’s father, Greg, this week.

“For me, it was during the offseason, so, I had some time. For him, it’ll be a little bit different. He’s a mentally tough guy … during times like this, you realize what’s important. It’s just a game that we go out and play. But life is way more valuable.”

I then asked Seymour if he’d had a chance to talk to Cassel since he heard the news.

 ”Well, I saw him this morning at breakfast, and gave him my best, to him and his wife and his family,” he said. “We have his back and we’re here to support him. It’s a part of life. It’s one thing that’ll happen to all of us one day. I don’t think you’re ever prepared for it.

“I think everyone handles the situation differently,” Seymour continued. “You never can say home much time someone needs, but you give them as much time as they think they need. We’re just giving him the time to do everything that he needs to do.”

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The Patriots returned to San Jose State University today, their first practice here since their last West Coast trip two months ago. Skies were cloudless and blue, with temperatures in the upper 50s to low 60s. Players dressed in helmet, shells, and sweatpants.

Four players were missing from action, including QB Matt Cassel (whose father passed away this week), safety James Sanders, and linebackers Tedy Bruschi and Pierre Woods.

On a positive note, however, WR Kelley Washington and DL Ty Warren were back on the field after missing the past several weeks and games with injuries. NT Vince Wilfork, who hurt his shoulder Sunday against Seattle and never returned to that game, was also back out on the field.

The playing surface at San Jose State was in much better condition this time around, as even one of the Patriots grounds crew noted prior to today’s session, perhaps because the Spartan football team hasn’t had to use since their season ended a few weeks ago.

We’ll have more on the Cassel situation shortly …