Osgood patiently waiting for big role

Kassim Osgood was born in Boston, and was a Patriots fan before he got to the NFL.

But that's not why the San Diego Chargers special teams star hopes the Patriots win the Super Bowl tomorrow.

"I'm a great fan of Junior Seau," Osgood said yesterday of his former teammate. "I'd like to see him get his ring."

Of course Osgood would prefer his own chance at some big-game jewelry. But the Chargers lost to the Patriots two weeks ago in the AFC championship game.

Osgood's consolation prize? He served as part of the league's vanguard in Honolulu yesterday, advancing the Feb. 10 Pro Bowl.

The gregarious aspiring actor was a perfect choice for the job.

"I like anything where I get to talk," he said at yesterday's news conference promoting the all-star game.

Osgood's connection to Hawaii extends beyond his first Pro Bowl last year. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound fifth-year pro from San Diego State said he has a relative who serves at Tripler Army Medical Center.

Osgood also has a previous football tie to Aloha Stadium. In 2002, he was a key figure in one of the most exciting games ever played there. Hawaii beat San Diego State 41-40 in the regular-season finale.

Osgood caught five passes for 126 yards, including a 6-yard touchdown that put the Aztecs in front of the Warriors 40-29 in the fourth quarter. But UH came back with touchdown runs by Thero Mitchell and Nate Ilaoa to win it.

"What a shootout, 1,200 yards of offense," Osgood recalled. "It's always fun to play those guys because they make you raise your level of play. It's a great organization."

Osgood rarely gets to catch passes now, with just two receptions in the past two seasons.

He's become the football equivalent of a great character actor, either making big tackles on kickoff and punt coverage or forcing double and triple teams that allow teammates to make the plays.

He hopes to find some juicy roles away from football, too. So far, Osgood has had bit parts, including a turn on the big screen several years ago in "We Were Soldiers," starring Mel Gibson. But some of Osgood's scenes in the film were like plays nullified by penalties -- they happened but they never happened, ending up on the cutting room floor.

"I'm mostly in the deleted scenes," Osgood said. "I was in a couple of scenes (that made the movie), mostly in the background."

He said it was a great experience, though.

"It was fun to be out there and meet the actors and get some direction on the set. Getting some advice was great for me," Osgood said. "The way (Gibson) prepares for a movie is much like the way we prepare for a football game. He's a perfectionist and his acting style is great."

Osgood earned enough credits last year to get a Screen Actors Guild card and one from the American Film, TV and Radio Association. He appeared in the season finale of "Jericho" last May, and was also in two MTV shows. He's also scheduled for an appearance in "Entourage."

"It's harder to break into Hollywood (than the NFL)," Osgood said. "If you're one of the best in football, you'll make it."

In showbiz, you have to keep trying to make your own breaks, he said.

"I bug my agent (Drew Rosenhaus) all the time, 'Get me in something. Who needs somebody? Get me in there.' I'm always pushing for it. He knows everybody."