``It's a lot of nerves, a ton of nerves,'' said Nunn, who has five catches for 69 yards in the preseason. ``You think about it. You can't really let it bother you, though.''

Nunn said the coaches have not discussed specific requirements for making the roster. But while there is always the chance of ending up on the practice squad, Nunn said the final cutdown date has been looming in his mind.

``Yeah, it registers,'' he said. ``I was thinking about that day for a while.''

Even those who appear relatively safe share Nunn's mind-set.

``You never know if you're going to be on the team,'' said safety Pat Chung, a second-round pick. ``Every game's a chance to show what you can do. If you do that, hopefully they'll keep you on the team.''

Youth is served

The retirement of linebacker Tedy Bruschi this week did more than deprive the team of his leadership. It also made the defense far younger. According to calculations by ESPN.com, the starting defensive lineup could be the Pats' youngest since Pete Carroll was the coach. The average age of the projected starters is 26 years, 278 days, nearly three years younger than it was last season. The last time the unit was that young was 1997. The average was derived projecting Jonathan Wilhite as the starter at cornerback over Shawn Springs.

That kind of youthful trend is what happens when the defense loses elder statesmen like Bruschi, Mike Vrabel and Rodney Harrison. Last season the starting `D' averaged 29 years, 85 days.

Feeley feelers

The Patriots are among the teams interested in Eagles backup quarterback A.J. Feeley, and the process figured to be slow as Philadelphia waits to learn when Michael Vick would be eligible. Yet, according to ESPN, that decision will come Saturday on cutdown day.

Commissioner Roger Goodell conditionally reinstated Vick in July, saying a decision on eligibility for the regular season would come no later than Week 6. If the ruling comes Saturday, it could allow the Eagles to trade Feeley soon, possibly for one of the Pats' extra tight ends. . . .

For the third time in the preseason, the Patriots play a team from the NFC East. The Giants follow the Eagles and Redskins on the exhibition schedule. Patriots coach Bill Belichick said he has been impressed with all three of them.

``The (Giants) really do everything well,'' Belichick said. ``Very good on defense, very stout up front, good coverage team, (a) pressure team. A bunch of guys that can rush. Offensively, they have a very good running game, a good passing game, very experienced offensive line. Physical team.''

Among the Giants who reportedly may be held out tonight are offensive tackle David Diehl (knee), defensive tackle Chris Canty (hamstring), linebacker Antonio Pierce (foot), linebacker Michael Boley (hip) and cornerback Aaron Ross.

- irapoport@bostonherald.com