Today the Patriots visit Raymond James Stadium to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their second of four preseason games. The start of the regular season is still weeks away, but already preparations are well underway for the 2008 campaign. Excitement is building, hearts are pounding, muscles are aching, and sweat is pouring forth - onto living room floors everywhere. Yes, Patriots fans all over New England (and beyond) have been working hard this offseason, and they can't wait for the season opener on Sept. 7.

The Sun Chronicle recently caught up with one of these hardworking fans, a Foxboro native by the name of Bill Zuck. Though he escaped the snow and ice of New England to live near the beaches of San Diego several years ago, he watches the Patriots every Sunday - despite the 10 a.m. kickoff time - and swears that he will never root for the Chargers, or anyone else who isn't a Patriot.

"It's been a long, hard offseason," said Zuck yesterday afternoon as he slouched on his futon, watching the beginning of SportsCenter for the third time that day. "It's taken a lot of work to get to the point where I can talk about the Patriots again. Until recently, I couldn't even say the words 'Super Bowl' without shuddering - my friends just knew I couldn't bring myself to discuss the events of Feb. 3, 2008. I mean, for the Patriots to win all those games only to be shut down by Eli Mann... sorry, I still get choked up I guess."

While Zuck took a moment to regain his composure, a quick look around his apartment revealed some of the efforts he'd taken to heal last season's wounds. Two new Patriots T-shirts (neither bearing the bittersweet "2007 AFC Champions" logo) lay at the ready for game day. A fresh print-out of the 2008 schedule was taped on the wall above his desk. And hidden in his closet were life-sized cardboard cutouts of each and every one of this season's offensive linemen. Zuck claims that standing behind these hulking props makes him feel like Tom Brady. It also suggests that perhaps he needs psychiatric help.

His tears finally quelled, Zuck described the grueling routine he put himself through to get ready for the new season. "I'd go online and read about the new draft picks, the offseason losses and acquisitions, and even Brady's social life with that supermodel girlfriend of his. I couldn't endure much of it at first - such painful reminders of the way the season ended - but by gradually increasing my exposure to all things Patriots-related, I got myself back to my usual form by the start of training camp. Now I'm ready to cheer them on: My head is packed with stats, my kitchen is full of game-day snacks, and my throat is prepared to go hoarse every Sunday as I yell at our defensive line to put some pressure on the quarterback for goodness' sake. I'm prepared to have a great season." If the Patriots are anywhere near as focused as Zuck is, they're in for a very good year.

BILL ZUCK, a Foxboro native now living in San Diego, swears he doesn't talk strategy with his cardboard linemen every night. You can reach him at wcz78@yahoo.com.