By Danny Picard
CSNNE.com Staff ReporterFollow @dannypicard
FOXBORO -- The Patriots got back to work on Saturday at GilletteStadium after an off-day on Friday, but prior to the afternoon session, coachBill Belichick addressed the media and talked about the week ahead.
Its a big week for us coming up here, said Belichick.Weve got some things we can build on from training camp and the preseasongame against Jacksonville. Weve got to start stacking some things on top ofthat, in terms of situations and a little bit of expansion in our system.
A lot of things we havent covered. We have competition ata lot of spots that were going to have to evaluate.
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One of those positions he talked about was the running backposition.
The guy weve seen the most of is BenJarvus, said Belichick.Sammys role is a diverse one. Woody, we saw a lot of last year, but not intraining camp. He came in in the middle of the season, so we really have to seewhat his whole value to the team would be with an entire training camp, knowingthe system, and really being able to build off his experience last year.
Seeing how well Dane Fletcher performed running thedefense at middle linebacker on Thursday night, Belichick was asked about JerodMayo, and if he would ever move to an outside linebackers role.
The answer? Nope.
New England Patriots
I dont really see that, said Belichick. I think hesgoing to play off the line of scrimmage. Hes going to play in the tackle boxsomewhere. Whatever front were inover, under, 3-4, 4-3, 2-4hes going toplay in the tackle box somewhere. Thats what hes always done. Hes one of thebest Ive coached. Hes one of the best in the league at doing that. I cantimagine him playing anywhere else.
Belichick was also asked about Matt Light, to which thePatriots coach praised the veteran offensive lineman who recently re-signedwith the team.
Matts been a good player for us, said Belichick. Hesbeen here and played very well for us through the years and has been a reallyconsistent player.
As well as playing, he gives us a lot of other things. I think hes good forour football team. I dont think you can have too many good players, especiallyat that position. We worked it out. Matt and I talked about the situation, andobviously we feel comfortable with him on the team, and he felt comfortablesigning with the team, so I dont see any reason not to go full speed aheadwith it.
If you noticed most kickoffs are turning into simpletouchbacks, youre not the only one. A new NFL rule has moved kickoffs up tothe 35-yard line, but Belichick said it was done with the intent of having moretouchbacks and fewer returns. So he isnt surprised with the result of the newrule.
I dont think theres any doubt that, league-wide, therellbe more touchbacks this year, said Belichick. I think, statistically, thatspretty well documented.
We had our meetings in March, and that was the proponentsof the rule. Thats what they wanted. They wanted to see more touchbacks andless kickoff returns, and Im sure, statistically, that will happen.
Danny Picard is on Twitter at http:twitter.comDannyPicard.