FOXBORO — Tully Banta-Cain has heard it.

The outside linebacker knows there has been a steady chorus of discontent this offseason about the Patriots’ pass rush. How it struggled to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks last year. How its’ 31 sacks tied for the second-lowest sack total since Bill Belichick took charge of the Patriots in 2000. And how frustrated fans were when the Patriots were not able to land an impact pass rusher in free agency or in the draft.

“I’ve been aware of it. I hear it in the wind,” he said Monday after an OTA session on the practice fields behind Gillette Stadium. “But I think that as long as improve on what we did last year and try to make sure that our focus is the same and we look at what we didn’t do well and try to make it better, I think overall, things will be better.”

Instead of going out and landing a Julius Peppers or drafting Sergio Kindle or Brandon Graham, the Patriots essentially stuck with the same pass rushers they had in 2009, going out and re-signing Banta-Cain to a three-year deal and outside linebacker Derrick Burgess (five sacks last season) to a one-year contract. (They also drafted Florida pass-rusher Jermaine Cunningham.)

“I think everyone who is here is here for a reason,” Banta-Cain said. “If you’re on this team it’s because you’re going to help us win and you’re going to make us better on defense and offense. The coaching staff and the organization feel like they’ve got the right guys, and I do too.”

When it comes to the pass rush, there seems to be little doubt that Banta-Cain is one of the right guys. In his second go-round with the Patriots (he was with New England from 2003 until 2006 before returning to Patriots before the start of the 2009 season), he had a team-high (and career-best) 10 sacks last season, with his season culminating with a three-sack effort in a December win over the Bills in Buffalo.

But it was a long journey to that point for the Cal product. Initially known as a situational pass-rusher, Banta-Cain saw his role evolve into a more complete, every-down linebacker in 2009. As a result, the 29-year-old was rewarded with more playing time: Rarely playing more than half the defensive snaps through the first part of last season, following a Dec. 6 loss to the Dolphins, he only missed 16 defensive snaps the rest of the regular-season and the playoffs, according to Pro Football Focus.

“Since Tully’s been here, he’s just been a very consistent player,” Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio said late last season. “Tully’s been – since day one when he got here back in February and March – he’s been consistent. He’s really worked at it. He has had opportunities in games and he’s been effective rushing the passer.”

Banta-Cain has a new contract, but says there won’t be any more pressure in 2010 than there was last season.

“I feel pressure every year,” he said Monday. “Playing for (Bill) Belichick, you’re going to feel pressure, whether you’re paid or not paid. There’s a right place for that kind of environment, that kind of mentality.

“So yeah, I put pressure on myself every year. I’ve learned a lot through the years. I think because I was on a one-year deal last year, I had to prove myself. I’m going to capture that mentality I had last year and use it every year.”

More playing time is a trend Banta-Cain would love to see continue in 2010.

“I’m just trying to build off of last year,” he said. “I don’t want to come off the field. I don’t think anybody does. My thing is just to try to improve my overall game, and I have all this offseason to do that, this camp right now and everything I did last year. So I’m just going to try and keep building and trying to get better overall.”

The return of Banta-Cain also assures that a familiar face will be back in 2010. The New England defense has suffered from an alarming lack of continuity as of late, as several longtime vets were all either traded or retired before the start of the 2009 season. As a result, the 29-year-old Banta-Cain is suddenly thrust into the role of savvy veteran — no other linebacker in the New England locker room has more time in the Patriots’ system than Banta-Cain.

“There’s different last names, but it’s the same system and the same coach,” said Banta-Cain. “We’re just here to do our job and the assignments that we’re given. Hopefully, the guys that are here will emerge as the Bruschi’s, the Harrison’s, those kinds of guys. That’s what it’s all about.”