At this point, talk of 2001 is superficial

He cannot have this kind of talk. Not now. Not when his players must prepare for the biggest game of their season, a Sunday showdown with the Indianapolis Colts, who match the Patriots' 9-2 record, and have extended playoff aspirations of their own. This game has huge postseason implications, particularly when it comes to matters like first-round byes and home-field advantage, and the last thing the coach needed was his players dreaming of days of wine and roses and snow angels.

So, in a meeting earlier this week, Belichick gathered his team together and gave it a little history lesson. He told his players to check the calendar from 2001, and to add up the wins the Patriots had to string together from Thanksgiving week to their Super Bowl game in New Orleans. New England won nine consecutive games -- nine in a row! -- from Nov. 25 through its Feb. 3 victory over St. Louis. You want to know where that magical, mystical Patriots team of destiny was this week in 2001? They were a ho-hum 5-5.

The point Belichick was trying to make is obvious: There's a world of football left to be played.

Or, to be more blunt, which you can be sure Belichick was: Boys, you ain't done nothing yet.

"It's too early," said Willie McGinest. "Of course, [the Super Bowl team] comes up. But we don't harp on that. That's in the past. It's very hard to get back to that position. Look at Tampa Bay this season. We know for a fact ourselves how difficult it is."

The Patriots have relied on a number of young players to propel them into this enviable position in 2003. But how will Dan Koppen, Asante Samuel, and Eugene Wilson hold up in the final month and a half? They weren't here in 2001. How can they possibly draw from that?

"When I hear people start talking [about the Super Bowl team], I want to yell to them, `Stop!' " said veteran Tedy Bruschi. "Let's put that team up there, and leave it there. We don't even have the same personnel. Champions are made in November and December. There's a whole other season in front of us."

The comparisons between this group and the wonder boys of 2001 began in earnest following New England's steely 23-20 overtime win over Houston last Sunday that featured some rather (ahem) fortuitous plays for the Patriots. You remember Lady Luck, don't you? The football world was certain she was perched on the shoulders of Tom Brady and Co. throughout their improbable run two years ago.

You'd be hard pressed to convince this year's Patriots they've been lucky. The Super Bowl Patriots only suffered one major injury -- to Drew Bledsoe -- and he was ably (and, as it turned out, permanently) replaced by young Brady. The 9-2 Patriots have already endured season-ending injuries to linebacker Rosevelt Colvin, the team's most coveted offseason signing, and veteran offensive lineman Mike Compton. There have been significant injuries to Mike Vrabel, Ted Johnson, Ted Washington, and Troy Brown. Ty Law has played with a grisly ankle injury all season, and will continue to do so. Richard Seymour has been banged up. Brady played the early stretch of the season with a grapefruit glued to his elbow.

"I think all the injuries will end up helping us," Bruschi said. "We've had to work awfully hard to get where we are now, and because we've asked so many of these young guys to step in for us, they're going to feel more comfortable down the stretch when we call on them to play."

There are some similarities to the teams, to be sure. Both focused on defense, and have relied on a more conservative offensive approach. Neither group featured a superstar, although Brady seems to be on his way. And both bear the unmistakable stamp of their coach. That's where the experience of a Super Bowl victory has come in handy. The players have seen proof that Belichick's often hard-line approach pays dividends.

"It's pretty clear what we wants," said linebacker Johnson. "Guys here have acquiesced to the philosophy he's put in place. It's a bottom-line business, and we've been fortunate enough to win under that philosophy."

The Patriots have revamped their secondary on the strength of Law and newcomer Rodney Harrison, who, like Bryan Cox in 2001, brings an outspoken, physical presence. The difference is Cox was at the end of the line two seasons ago, while Harrison is performing like an All-Pro in his prime.

This is a good sign. So is the fact that guys like Brady, Seymour, and offensive lineman Matt Light, all of whom were there in 2001, have improved tenfold, and obtained the wisdom of experience. Sure, the running game isn't as settled, and Brown may never be able to duplicate the magic of that Super Bowl run, but this group sure looks like a playoff team. They sure look like a special collection of football professionals.

"I'm not buying it -- yet," Bruschi said. "A lot of things can happen between now and the end of the season. What we've done up to this point is almost inconsequential."

"We'll find out what we're about beginning now," said offensive lineman Damien Woody. "This is when the good teams rise to the top, and the mediocre teams fizzle."

There's nothing mediocre about either Patriots team. Remember the pure excitement of the Snow Game? Remember Brady's brief injury in Pittsburgh, and Bledsoe's heroic performance in relief? There's another difference worth mentioning. If Brady goes down this year, there's no proud, experienced All-Pro quarterback ready to step in. It's Rohan Davey or Damon Huard, depending on the day, and that could pose problems in a tight playoff situation.

Ah. Here we go again. Getting ahead of ourselves. Wipe that giddy grin off your face. Stop predicting great things for your football team in that annoying, righteous singsong voice.

At least wait until they beat the Colts.

Jackie MacMullan is a Globe columnist. Her e-mail address is macmullan@globe.com.