Some late afternoon quick hits:
1. Jon Zimmer of the NFL notes on Twitter (@nflhistory) that Bill Belichick and George Seifert are the only two head coaches in NFL history with 13-plus wins in four different seasons. If the Patriots win on Sunday, Belichick can become the first-ever with five such years.
2. Offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien was asked about offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia today and said he has a "tremendous amount of respect" for his career. "He’s a guy that I’ve learned a lot from. He really helps me a lot during games; I rely on him quite a bit," O'Brien said. "He’s a no nonsense guy. He’s a very direct guy. We have a good relationship, it’s an open relationship. I enjoy working with him. He does a hell of a job."
3. Director of player personnel Nick Caserio on the promotion of defensive lineman Alex Silvestro: "Smart guy, works hard, has a little bit of position versatility along the front – he can play on the edge, to a degree can play on the inside and has some value in the kicking game as well. He’s done a good job for us during the season on the [scout] team and when he’s had his opportunities in practice defensively. That’s why we brought him up for the game. He had a handful of plays that he was on the field for, so we’ll see what happens here moving forward."
4. If it seems like linebacker Dane Fletcher is fitting in well, it's because he is. Fletcher played every snap Saturday. "The more you can play that position, the more confidence that you’re going to gain. I’d say you’ve noticed just in his play, it looks like he’s played a little more assertively, a little more aggressively," Caserio said. "Part of that is he probably has a little more confidence in not only his health, but maybe a little more confidence in what he’s doing."