Bill Belichick: 'There’s a lot of team-building left for us '

ORLANDO, Fla. — Bill Belichick spoke at the annual coaches' breakfast at the league meetings on Tuesday morning, and while he didn't break any new ground, at least we were able to ask him about some of the moves in the offseason to this point.

Belichick, as usual, kept the media on its toes by first arriving 25 minutes late and then having the session moved from his assigned table to a stand-up location in a nearby corner.



No complaints about it, as it probably helped keep outside reporters from dropping in and asking about league stuff Belichick wouldn't answer anyways.

Will have some deeper thoughts in a bit but for now, here are a few of the more substantial topics covered:

On the many players they've added this offseason: "All the guys that we got, obviously we’re happy to have and glad that it worked out with all of them. We’ll see how it goes. Put them into the program, give them a chance to compete like anybody else, and see how it works out."

VIDEO: Bill Belichick at the league meetings

On having the McCourty brothers together: "I’ll be fooled more than anybody. Two sets of twins ... think we’re in the lead on that."

On Duron Harmon's arrest: "I think it’s all been covered. Patriots released a statement, Duron released (one)."

On losing Nate Solder: "We lost several players in free agency. That’s the NFL -- every team goes through that. Nate did a great job for us, he has a great opportunity in New York. We wish him well."

On if there is still work to be done on the roster: "There’s a lot of team-building left for us and every other team in the league. We’ll see how it goes."

On Danny Shelton: "He wasn’t obviously in our range at that point (when he was drafted), but we had a lot of background on him, all the way back to high school. It was all very positive."

On the left tackle prospects: Belichick made it a point to say LaAdrian Waddle has worked at both right and left tackle. ... He also had some nice things to say about Cole Croston, who made the team last year as an undrafted player out of Iowa. ... Newly signed Matt Tobin will have to perform in the system.

On if former Arkansas coach Brett Bielema, who has been seen at pro days in Patriots garb, is on staff: "We’ll have any formal and final staff announcements later in the spring."

On Riley McCarron, the slot receiver who was signed from the Texans and spent the season on the practice squad: "Trying to fill up with Iowa players. Make sure we get enough of them. (Patriots now have five: McCarron, Adrian Clayborn, Croston, Tobin, James Ferentz) ...  He’s a hard-working kid, out there every day. Really did a great job. Didn’t get to run our offense too much, it was mostly scout team stuff, but a hard-working kid. Tough and smart."

On Matthew Slater's return: "Matthew’s been a great player for us on and off the field. (I'm) glad we could work something out."

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I asked Belichick about a contract extension for Tom Brady and whether that even needs to happen with the cap: "Yeah, you know I’m not going to talk about contracts and those situations. So we’ll just let that one go, along with all the other contract questions."

On Clayborn: "Had a good career. Very productive player at multiple positions. Solid person, works hard, tough kid. Think he could be a good addition to our program. We’ll see how it goes."

Asked him if the Erb's palsy makes him just a right-side player: "(He) played on the left before, but mostly on the right -- a high percentage on the right. Was on the left earlier in his career. We don’t have any experience with the player. Like the player, want the player, just haven't worked with him yet."

On Cordarrelle Patterson: "He’s been a productive player, kind of a situational player. Well get him into our offense, special teams, see how it goes. ... He’s returned kicks primarily. We'll see how it goes with punts. Receiver, slot back."

Asked if he's ever had a player that explosive: "Nobody faster than Bethel Johnson. Nobody."

On if Brian Flores will take on more responsibility with Matt Patricia gone: "I think everybody on the defensive staff will take on additional responsibilities. We haven’t really added anybody to the defensive staff. Not saying we won’t or we will, but I’d say everybody’s responsibilities … Matt did a lot for us, he did a great job. His duties will be shared by everybody on the defensive staff."

On if Flores has done well so far with the Patriots: "Absolutely. He’s done a lot of different things for us and done them well. He’s gained a lot of experience; a quality person, quality coach with a lot of experience."

On former assistants Mike Vrabel, Patricia and Bill O'Brien being head coaches: "It’s great. All those are great players. Several general managers you can throw in that category too. Wish them all well, except when they play us."

On if the Patriots have to take a young quarterback in the draft: "We'll do what's in the best interest of the team."

On RB Jeremy Hill: "Productive, especially his first two years. This past year, not so much, but he had the ankle injury. Good kid, smart, been productive. We’ll see how it goes."

On having three players (Malcom Brown, Shelton and Phillip Dorsett) with fifth-year options this year: "It would be the equivalent of having that many first-round draft choices which you usually don’t have, so they are acquisitions. It is a little bit of a different situation, so we’ll address that have to make a decision in the coming months. We’ll do it when we have to."

On why he's been seen more putting players through workouts at pro days: "When you do those workouts, kind of each coach has their own group of workouts, so if you don’t see something that you’d like to see in the workout, you grab the guy when it’s over. … It’s pretty common. If I do a workout and a coach is standing there, he might want a drill that I haven’t done. It’s no big deal. You have them there, they’re warmed up, you want to add a drill on."

On Danny Amendola going to the Dolphins: "Love Danny. Did a great job for us. Great competitor. Played a lot of different roles. Tremendous person. Wish him well in the opportunity he has ... other than the times we play him."

On the departures: "Malcolm, Dion, Nate, Danny ... they signed contracts that were better than what we were able to give them. They all did a great job for us. Wouldn't have had the success we had without the contributions of those, and many other players."