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FOXBORO - All is forgiven, Asante Samuel said Tuesday.

The Patriots' cornerback finally, officially, put his signature on the $7.79 million tender offer for being the team's "franchise player," and now his first task is to start proving that he deserves it.

"I'm working hard to catch up to these guys who've been working hard all season," the fifth-year veteran said before a large crowd of reporters in the Patriots' locker room. "I haven't been on the same page and I'm trying to catch up with them. When you're watching the TV and your teammates are playing, and you know you're supposed to be a part of that and you're not out there, you just know you're supposed to be out there with them."

Samuel, who intercepted a personal-best 10 regular-season passes last season and two more in the

playoffs (both returned for touchdowns), was absent from the Patriots' camp for 32 days, technically as a free agent, although carrying a price tag of two first-round draft choices if someone dared to sign him with the franchise label already affixed. It's not clear whether Samuel signed the tender with a caveat that he would not be franchised again in the future, which was one of the sticking points in his relationship with the Patriots. It was made known soon after he was franchised in February that Samuel would consider staying home until 10 weeks into the regular season unless the Patriots promised not to use the franchise tag on him again, so it only stands to reason to assume that some accommodations were made to hasten Samuel's return.

Either that, or Samuel realized that he couldn't enhance his future value as a free agent by sitting on the sidelines for 10 weeks. One way or another, he wasn't offering specifics.

"We worked it out," he said. "We're happy. Both sides are happy. I'm not going to get into it, but it is what it is I'm here and I'm ready to play football. So it doesn't really matter who gained or whatever, knowing that both sides are happy."

It may take a while for Samuel to make it back to the practice field, however. He was not present at the start of Tuesday's practice session, at least the portion viewable by the media, and may still be awaiting his season-beginning conditioning test.

Samuel said he extended his personal offseason conditioning through his idle period while his teammates were in camp, so there's little doubt that he will pass it. Beyond that, he knows he has a month's worth of catching up to do.

"I haven't been told anything," he said. "I just want to be working hard and I'll fit in where I fit in. You always have to earn your spot. I want to earn my keep and I'm going to do that. I have no problem with that."

Patriots' coach Bill Belichick said Tuesday that he was certain Samuel "will work hard to make up that ground. I know he's been doping things on his own, but it's not quite the same."

Samuel was asked whether he missed being on the practice field with his teammates during the height of training camp.

"Did I miss two-a-days? Much as you try to think that being home and not out there in that sun is better, I really did miss it," he said. "I missed joking around with the guys in the locker room, cutting the fool, and going out and working hard.

"I just learned to be patient, to just pray about it and to put it in God's hands, and He'd take care of everything," he added. "I just knew it would be good to get in as soon as possible. I'm ready to work and I'm ready to get back into my normal playing form." Even though this scenario might play itself out again in six months, Samuel said he harbored no ill feelings toward the Patriots for using the franchise tag.

"That's the past, I'm letting that go," he said. "I'm here and I'm happy. I love my team. It's always been a great organization and we've always had great fans, great players and great coaching, and we've always been doing good since I've been here. I'm happy to be here and I would love to be here for the rest of my career."

MARK FARINELLA may be reached at 508-236-0315 or via e-mail at mfarinel@thesunchronicle.com