Now, he's armed with 11 selections in this year's NFL draft, which kicks off Saturday. Watching how the Patriots approach and execute the draft has added intrigue this year because it's the first one in New England that Belichick will go through without Scott Pioli and with his new hand-picked front office team. The only thing predictable about Belichick - besides his selection of sideline attire - is that he is loath to tip his hand when it comes to his plans.
"We traded for Corey Dillon prior to the draft in '04. We traded for Randy Moss during the draft two years ago, so I wouldn't rule anything out, any players that we would or wouldn't be interested in," said Belichick when asked if the draft was now the sole focus for adding players. "I can't answer that question other than to say it's an ongoing process of roster building. It doesn't stop or start at any particular moment. It started at the end of the season, and it will continue to the final game of the '09 season, whenever that is."
So, what about acquiring Carolina Panthers disenfranchised franchise player/premiere pass rusher Julius Peppers? "I think I answered that question," Belichick said.
There is no question, however, about who is going to be Belichick's quarterback this season, as the coach said that Tom Brady, coming back from a torn ACL and a torn MCL in his left knee, "is working in the offseason program now without any limitations."
Despite bringing in Taylor and at least one mock draft predicting the Patriots take a running back in the first round, Belichick isn't writing off Laurence Maroney just yet.
"I have a lot of confidence in Laurence," he said when asked about Maroney, who has been in jured and inconsistent in his first three NFL seasons.
Before Belichick could focus on constructing his 2009 roster, he had to re-build his coaching staff after the departure of four coaches, including offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Josh McDaniels, and re-organize his front office to account for the loss of Pioli, his player-picking partner with the Patriots since 2000.
Pioli's duties were divvied up.
