FOXBORO -- Friday was the third consecutive day of media access for Bill Belichick. Over the previous two days he'd been asked about Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Alex Guerrero and Malcolm Butler. He'd been asked about Josh McDaniels and Bret Bielema. He'd been asked about how long he would like to continue to coach.
Meanwhile there's been one day of practice, which wasn't the most competitive thing that's ever taken place at Gillette Stadium.
It's not that there's a shortage of things to talk about. There never are with the Patriots, particularly coming off of one of the strangest offseasons in franchise history. But there sometimes are a shortage of things Belichick would be willing to dive into and wade around in.
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Stephen Gostkowski and what he's meant to the franchise since 2006? Cannon ball.
"Steve's been great for our group," Belichick said. "He's showed an incredible amount of maturity and poise in his rookie year. He came into what was probably as difficult a situation as any player that I've ever, rookie player, that I've brought onto a team.
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"The expectations for him and obviously what Adam [Vinatieri] did before he was here -- Steve's been really consistent through all these years. Very hard worker. Has earned the respect of his teammates . . . No special kicker program or anything like that.
"Physically, mentally tough player. I've been very fortunate to be able to have had two of the best kickers that have ever played in the National Football League as the head coach here."
Fans may have their issues with Gostkowski from time to time. But the numbers are the numbers, as our Tom Curran pointed out recently. They're good. And with no second kicker in camp -- and with some eye-opening, glowing comments Friday -- it's clear that Belichick is as confident as ever in the man he trusts with Patriots placekicks and kickoffs.