Steve Belichick promoted to safeties coach

Steve Belichick, son of New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, has been promoted as the team's safeties coach.

Per CSNNE:

Steve Belichick has performed a variety of duties since joining Bill Belichick's staff, primarily helping out on the defensive side of the ball. Working closely with defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, running drills in practices and breaking down film are just some of the many tasks he's been asked to execute.

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Pats' offensive dysfunction 'a combination of things'

Bill Belichick has never really been one to call out an individual player or unit's poor play in a press conference.

Despite some puzzling miscues in New England's loss to the Broncos Sunday, that MO didn't change Monday in Belichick's meeting with the media.

That doesn't mean he didn't point any fingers, though.

"I thought Denver did a good job defensively," he said via WEEI.com. "It's all interconnected between the receivers, the quarterback, the offensive line. The timing, execution, balance of the running game, long yardage situations. It’s all part of it.

"In the end, it wasn't as good as it needed to be yesterday, period. In any area. I wouldn't put it on one guy, or one situation, or one position, or anything like that. In the end we came up short."

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Padded practice helped Patriots in bounce-back week

Padded practices are rare late in the season, but for the New England Patriots, the time was right.

Last week, New England worked out in pads, using one of the very few opportunities to do so thanks to league rules and the general tendency for NFL teams to go lighter at practice down the stretch.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick thought that particular practice session was an important contributor to the team's victory over the Houston Texans Sunday night.

"[N]obody's 100 percent this time of the year on our team or on any other team you play," Belichick said Monday, via CSNNE. "That's football. It takes a toll on everybody. So it's certainly the more comfortable way just to not have contact during the week -- which we're forced to do that the majority of the time anyway in terms of padded contact -- so not having that during the week, and when you do have it, then sometimes players can look at it as we're sore, we're banged up, [and take an] I-wish-we-weren't-doing-it type of attitude."

That wasn't the case for the Patriots, though, according to Belichick.

"[I] think that our guys went out there and they worked hard," he said. "When we practiced on Wednesday, we definitely got better. We improved in a lot of the areas that fundamentally we were trying to address. I think that showed up in the game."

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Bill Belichick says his 94-year-old mom could've gotten through Patriots practice this week

How easy was the New England Patriots' practices this week? No offense to coach Bill Belichick's mom, but even she could've done it.

No, really. Take it from Bill.

"[w]we didn’t really practice this week,” Belichick said, via WEEI. “A lot of us could’ve gotten through practice. My mom probably could’ve got through practice.”

The team was off from practice on Monday following a win over the New York Jets Sunday. It then held a walkthrough Tuesday in the field house and another walkthrough on Wednesday, according to WEEI.

New England hosts the rival Miami Dolphins Thursday night.

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Belichick optimistic about Cannon filling in for Solder

Since being drafted 17th overall in the 2011 draft, Nate Solder has missed only one game for the New England Patriots, with much of that time spent protecting Tom Brady’s blindside.

With news that the 27-year-old was placed on IR Wednesday following a torn bicep, however, that job will now be relegated to Marcus Cannon, the team’s versatile backup.

It’s that versatility that has coach Bill Belichick confident the team’s fifth-round pick from that same 2011 draft can be successful and, most importantly, keep Brady upright for the remainder of the season.

"Marcus has always played well for us," Belichick said via the Boston Globe. "Two years ago when he was in for Vollmer, last year the opportunities that he had early in the year, particularly at tackle, and then this year he’s played in every game, played a number of snaps in all of our games, so he’s always done a good job for us when he’s been in there.

"I’m glad we have him."

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Belichick has no preconceived notions on Wayne deal

Bill Belichick is quite familiar with free agent wideouts in the twilight of their careers. So it's no surprise he's tempering expectations for the Patriots' new acquisition, 37-year-old Reggie Wayne.

"I think he has a lot of versatility, obviously he has a lot of experience so we’ll have to see how it goes," he said via WEEI.com.

After eight 1,000-yard receiving performances in nine years, Wayne has looked a little more human of late, and New England seems very aware of that given the one-year deal they offered the veteran. But with Brandon Gibson on IR and no youngsters stepping up to the challenge, Wayne seems like a solid fit in a system that will likely get creative to get him the ball -- if he stays healthy.

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Belichick: Dan Connolly 'a player I was proud to coach'

Ten-year veteran Dan Connolly, who spent most of his career with the New England Patriots, announced his retirement this week.

Friday, Patriots coach Bill Belichick released the following statement regarding the offensive lineman:

"Dan Connolly exemplified everything our program requires of players. He was tough and dependable, smart and team oriented and his work ethic ensured he improved on an annual basis to reach his potential. 

"From where his career began as a developmental player to where it finished as a team leader and champion, Dan Connolly was a player I was proud to coach."

Connolly, who played in New England for eight seasons, was a staple on the Patriots' offensive front, but despite his career work as a blocker, he didn't retire without at least one highlight reel play. Check it out here.

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Kraft: Jets-Belichick 'the best trade we ever made'

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft threw a pretty nice party Sunday night, as he hosted his team for its Super Bowl ring ceremony at his Chestnut Hill, Mass. home.

And in typical AFC East fashion, it didn't go without a friendly little dig or two from one division rival to the next.

"I still think the best trade we ever made was when I sent a first-round choice to our good friends, the New York Jets, for Bill Belichick," Kraft quipped when addressing the crowd during a speech.

Belichick followed up with a nice little note of his own.

"Robert, thanks for your kind words," Belichick said, as Patriots.com documented the event via video. "Don't forget that seventh we threw the Jets too in that trade."

[Check out the full video HERE]

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Pats' ineligible receiver maneuver ruled illegal for 2015

Bill Belichick's fun with receiver eligibility is officially over.

Following a vote Wednesday by the league, the rules regarding a player allowed to report as an eligible receiver were tweaked to all but nullify the formations New England used in the last season's playoff run.

Under the new guidelines, an eligible receiver turned ineligible will have to line up inside the tackle box and will not be permitted to be on the perimeter as a decoy:

Note: An offensive player wearing the number of an eligible pass receiver who reports as ineligible must line up within the tackle box.

Penalty: If a player fails to notify the Referee of a change in his status when required or an offensive player with an eligible number reports as ineligible and lines up outside the tackle box: Loss of five yards for illegal substitution.

For more rules changes, via WEEI.com, click here.

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Rex, Belichick take friendly stroll at Combine

Friday morning was just another usual day at the office for Buffalo Bills coach Rex Ryan and New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick--just two pals walking and talking at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Rex: "Hey, Bill, isn't it cool that we were both coaches of the New York Jets?"

Bill: "You really never shut up, do you?"

Rex: "Haha, you're funny, Bill."

Belichick and Rex. Friends forever. Wait... what??? #NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/57CjWxZwtB
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) February 20, 2015

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O'Brien retires from coaching, will stay with Patriots

After six years as New England's Special Teams coach, Pat O'Brien is leaving on top.

The 57-year-old, who's been coaching in the NFL since his first job with Bill Belichick back in the early '90s, announced his retirement Tuesday, according to the team's website. He will reportedly stay with the organization, however, and his assistant, Joe Judge, will take the reins of the unit in 2015.

"I have never worked with a coach better than Scott O'Brien," Belichick said. "Scott is second to none at preparation, strategy, teaching, techniques, fundamentals, scouting and virtually any other aspect of team building, game planning or player development that exists in football. I thank Scott for making me a better coach, finding and developing countless players, and being such a tremendous asset at both organizations we worked together."

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Belichick denies knowledge of how Brady likes his balls

Bill Belichick knows nothing about deflated game balls. According to him, he's never even touched one.

That's what New England's veteran coach told reporters Thursday, as the media frenzy surrounding the issue has enveloped pretty much every outlet at this point. The coach threw his arms up about the controversy, admitting he learned more about the process this week than he previously knew.

"Again, my overall knowledge of football specifications, the overall process that happens on game day with the footballs is very limited," he said via the Boston Globe. "I would say that during the course of a game... Honestly, never -- probably has happened on an incomplete pass or something -- but I've never touched a game ball. It's not something I have any familiarity with on that.

"And again, I was completely and totally unaware of any of this that we're talking about in the last couple of days until Monday morning."

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Win Saturday would tie Belichick with Landry

BY EDITOR

Bill Belichick could notch yet another milestone Saturday.

With a victory over the Baltimore Ravens, the New England Patriots coach would tie former Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry for the most postseason wins by a coach in NFL history, as ProFootballTalk pointed out Wednesday.

The magic number is 20, and the standalone No. 21 could come a week later in the AFC Championship game.

Belichick: College-like feel with Patriots fans on road

BY EDITOR

The New England Patriots had been on the West Coast the entire week before Sunday night's 23-14 road victory over the San Diego Chargers.

Yet before they even headed back to Foxborough--or got off the field, for that matter--they got a good taste of home.

"[N]ight game and the Chargers in their powder blues and definitely a lot of energy in the stadium," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Monday, via Patriots.com. "But there was a sea of Patriots fans behind our bench. I don’t think I’ve ever quite seen that before.

Why the Patriots decided to head straight to Cali

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Fresh off a road loss in a premier matchup with the Green Bay Packers, the New England Patriots didn't waste any time getting to the scene of its next bout: an AFC showdown with the San Diego Chargers.

The Patriots flew out to the West coast Sunday night to stay for the week instead of going home in preparation for the next game.

Coach Bill Belichick explained the team's thinking Tuesday during a conference call with reporters.

Wright eyeing preparation in Pats' opportunistic offense

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

Unsurprisingly, Rob Gronkowski received plenty of attention from his quarterback in the Patriots' 34-9 win over the Detroit Lions Sunday. It was fellow tight end Tim Wright, however, who celebrating in the end zone.

Gronk hauled in five catches for 76 yards and was targeted 10 times by Tom Brady. But it was Wright who connected with Brady in the red zone, tallying two touchdown receptions in the first half to help New England take a 24-6 lead into the locker room.

The 24-year-old, who joined the team just prior to the start of the season in the Logan Mankins trade, has been hugely reliable this year despite being used only sporadically in the passing game. In fact, he's only three touchdowns behind Gronkowski on the year.

Belichick on Blount: 'We're glad to have him back'

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

It's amazing what a year can bring.

This time last season, running back LeGarrette Blount looked like the running back of old, averaging more than five yards a clip and getting into the end zone on a semi-consistent basis. He finished his season averaging 144 yards his last three games before that fateful playoff game against the Denver Broncos, where he tallied only six yards on five carries.

Fast forward, and the 27-year-old is back with the New England Patriots after a tumultuous season with Pittsburgh that's seen him rush for more than 100 yards only once in 11 games this year.

Patriots still wary of old foe Reggie Wayne

BY NICK ST. DENIS

The New England Patriots will be up against an old foe in receiver Reggie Wayne when they take on the Indianapolis Colts Sunday night.

Now in his 14th year, Wayne has been relegated primarily to the slot, though the Colts still use him on the perimeter when needed. Patriots coach Bill Belichick knows that no matter where the veteran pass-catcher is, he's still a threat.

"Yeah, he’s still really good at everything," Belichick said last week, via CSNNE.com. "[He’s] obviously a real smart and experienced guy. Knows how to set up routes, make all of his routes look the same.

Patriots to cut down on flags or 'it's going to cost us'

BY NICK ST. DENIS

It's been raining yellow flags this season for the New England Patriots.

The Patriots came off their bye week as the most-penalized team in the NFL. With that, they're still 7-2 and on a five-game winning streak, though coach Bill Belichick knows the penalties haven't made things any easier.

"[I]t just creates more opportunities for our opponents," Belichick said this week, via Patriots.com. "It gives them extra plays on defensive penalties and it negates yardage on offense and puts us in long yardage."

Pats' D has work cut out for them with Colts' TE squad

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

The New England Patriots know all about offensive potency from the tight end position. Heck, they wrote the book on it.

Teams utilizing multiple tight ends in their offensive game plan is nothing new for New England this season, as many teams have tried to expose the Patriots' secondary in the middle of the field and avoid their talented corners on the edges.

This week, however, coach Bill Belichick and the coaching staff will get a taste of their own medicine, as they'll be tasked with shutting down an Indianapolis Colts duo that's been tearing it up on the scoreboard.