Dillon makes successful playoff debut

FOXBORO, Mass. — This is why Corey Dillon wanted to get out of Cincinnati. It's also why the New England Patriots wanted to get him.

Dillon carried 23 times for 144 yards in his playoff debut Sunday to help the Patriots advance to the AFC championship game with a 20-3 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. The only thing between them and a third conference title in four years are the Pittsburgh Steelers, who beat New England on Halloween when Dillon was out with a thigh injury.

"I'm certainly glad Corey's going to be there," quarterback Tom Brady said. "I know he's glad he's here; he's told us that a bunch of times. And we're glad to have him."

Dillon played the first seven years of his career with the woeful Bengals, racking up big yards but also admitting that year after year of losing got him down. Before the Patriots traded a second-round draft pick for him in April, Dillon had to convince them that he wasn't a malcontent.

"There's not a day goes by I don't grab those guys and say, 'Thank you,"' Dillon said. "I'm serious. They'll tell you, too. They're probably a little annoyed by me doing it.

"I do it just to let them know I appreciate them believing in me. I'm just ecstatic about being in this situation."

New England fans let him know the feeling is mutual, chanting, "Corey! Corey!" as the clock wound down. Dillon's teammates agree: Linebacker Ted Johnson said after the game he was heading to the souvenir stand to buy a No. 28 jersey.

One teammate needled him by calling him "Clock-killin' Dillon." Another led him into the locker room by telling the waiting reporters, "Here comes the man of the hour."

Dillon has been a model citizen since joining the defending Super Bowl champions. He's also given the Patriots the running game they lacked even as they won two NFL titles in the previous three seasons.

"Who wouldn't be excited about having a Pro Bowl player come to your offense. He came in and worked hard. He's a great leader and he's got a great attitude," Brady said.

"I don't care what someone's reputation is. When you come to this team, you fit in. Corey had a great attitude coming in, and it's just gotten better."

And so have the Patriots, who used him to replace the steady but unspectacular Antowain Smith.