The thinker: Bill Belichick's evolution from strategic boy wonder to consummate leader has him rubbing shoulders with the likes of Lombardi

Recommended reading (or listening on tape): Three Nights in August, the Harry Potter novels (he's read four of the six).

Hobby:. Collecting football books. He has more than 500, including most books published before 1960, and his father has a collection of about the same size. The Belichicks are combining their collections into what is believed to be the largest football book collection in the world outside of the Pro Football Hall of Fame library and the Library of Congress. They are in the process of contributing the collection to the Naval Academy.

Best vacation spots: Nantucket, Mass., (he has a place there) and Disney World, where he takes his family about every other year. He has even had breakfast in Cinderella's Castle with Goofy and company. "It's a chance to be a kid again; he says.-D.P.

Injuries? Pats show they can handle them

The Patriots lost the soul of their defense when strong safety Rodney Harrison was carted off the field in the first quarter.

They were forced to play two rookies on the left side of their line after left tackle Matt Light was carted off in the second quarter.

They were playing in one of the league's most hostile environments against a team that had been the NFL's most dominant through two weeks.

And yet there was Bill Belichick holding both hands in the air with 00:01 showing on the stadium scoreboard. Adam Vinatieri had just kicked the game-winning field goal for a 23-20 victory over the Steelers. "We're just lucky to get out of here alive," Belichick said.

Maybe, but they were very well-prepared. The resilience that has been the Patriots' trademark under Belichick is a function of foresight. Linebacker Don Davis was able to step in and play corner in the dime defense because he had been prepared for emergency duty. Nick Kaczur, the rookie who took Light's place, didn't need extra help because he had been rotated in at tackle in the first two games.

And though the Patriots trailed from late in the first quarter until 10:37 remained in the fourth, they never were rattled. Nothing soothes nerves like great preparation.--D.P.

They learned from the master

Bill Belichick's coaching tree rivals any. One of his most salient attributes is his ability to identify and teach coaches and administrators.--D.P.

Cleveland branch

[199]-9s)

Jim Bates

Secondary coach

NOW: Packers defensive coordinator

Chuck Bresnahan

Linebackers coach

NOW: Bengals defensive coordinator

Kirk Ferentz

Offensive line coach

NOW: Iowa head coach

Al Groh

Linebackers coach

NOW: Virginia head coach

Pat Hill

Tight ends coach

NOW: Fresno State head coach

Eric Mangini

Coaches assistant

NOW: Patriots defensive coordinator

Ozzie Newsome

Director of pro personnel

NOW: Ravens general manager

Scott O'Brien

Special teams coach

NOW: Dolphins coordinator of football operations

Scott Pioli

Pro personnel assistant

NOW: Patriots vice president of player personnel

Nick Saban

Defensive coordinator

NOW: Dolphins head coach