No clues to this mystery

While many fans would argue that the free agent losses of veteran linebacker Willie McGinest, kicker Adam Vinatieri, and receiver David Givens -- particularly with no comparable replacements added to the roster -- does not constitute anything resembling normal, Belichick holds firm to his thinking.

''There is going to be transition on every team," he said. ''Every team in the league has that. We've had players come; we've had players go. That's the way it is."

The loss of Vinatieri may have been the most unexpected, as the Patriots could have guaranteed his return by naming him their franchise player, as they had twice before. The team had talks with the kicker the past two seasons about a long-term deal but never reached an agreement, and he jumped at the chance to sign with Indianapolis when it offered to make him the highest-paid kicker in NFL history.

The Patriots certainly didn't offer Vinatieri as much as the Colts, but whether they were willing to match the offer -- an opportunity Vinatieri apparently didn't give them -- is unclear. Belichick didn't offer details.

''It's a lot longer story than it's worth telling, and it doesn't make any difference. He's not here," Belichick said.

Belichick did say what has happened to the team in free agency will have little bearing on how he approaches next weekend's draft. The ''best player available/player that can most help the team" philosophy will stand.

''You can't create players," Belichick said. ''You've got to draft the board based on what your options are. As soon as you start taking players truly based on need, if they can't fill that need, then you have to come back the next year or the next pick and you're drafting again for the same spot.

''You really don't have anything if the player can't fulfill that expectation or that role that you think you drafted him for."

Translation: Just because the Patriots lost starters in McGinest and Givens, it doesn't mean they will draft a linebacker or receiver with the 21st pick of the first round.

Should they do so -- most draft projections have them doing just that, and Belichick says there are more quality linebackers this year than in recent drafts -- the Patriots are likely to be in good stead on April 29.