Coach was in on the pass game

He was able to pitch to his team for weeks that setting an NFL record by winning 19 straight games, including postseason, was not important. Yet after his team set the mark in yesterday's 24-10 win over the Miami Dolphins, Belichick acknowleged the achievement and complimented his players.

"Well, that felt good," Belichick said. "I told our team after the game that I was really proud of what they did and that no team in pro football has done that. But that being said, that is not our goal, to win four games. So we're going to try and do a little more than that."

Belichick said the team handled the hype surrounding the streak very well, and "hopefully, we will continue to do that week in and week out."

The players also praised their leader.

Belichick had a bucket of Gatorade poured over his head late in the game by Richard Seymour and Rodney Harrison.

"It was congratulations to him because he rarely celebrates anything and to lead a team to 19 victories in a row is something to be proud of," said Harrison. "He's the captain of the ship and we just wanted to let him know we appreciate him and he's doing a great job. I mean it is a great feat. I've played on a team in San Diego that went 1-15. To win this many games is extraordinary."

Belichick was pleased with the improved play of special teams. In fact, when Miami punter Matt Turk tried to run for a first down after a botched snap, the Patriots stopped him after a 3-yard gain, 4 yards short of a first down. Kick coverage was improved over last week as Belichick's subtle and not-so-subtle messages worked well.

Belichick acknowledged the offense had to scale back its passing attack with three receivers out -- Troy Brown (shoulder) and Deion Branch (knee) because of injuries and Bethel Johnson's benching.

"We tried to modify it to do what we felt like we could do and the best and easiest way to do it," Belichick said. "And it came close to hitting a couple of long plays, but we didn't hit them. They broke them up. We missed them. But again, I think you need to give credit to the Miami defense there. They were as tough as anyone we play and we couldn't get it on them."

While Belichick acknowledged the mistakes he also patted his team on the back for making big plays during the streak.

"Players have made plays at key times in the game," Belichick said. "And they have come from all different units and different types of players. But today we had a couple of big defensive stands and got some points early. There's no set form. You just try to play a little bit better than your opponent."

A surprise decision
Johnson being listed as an inactive was a big surprise early as the receiver wasn't listed on the injury report all week. Belichick said it was a coaching decision. Belichick sent a message to Johnson last season by benching him for the Dec. 14 game against Jacksonville when it appeared the then-rookie's intensity level was not where it should have been, and it's possible this was a similar situation. New England was forced to use Patrick Pass and Kevin Kasper on kick returns, while Kasper also was used as a receiver. The other starter sidelined was right corner Tyrone Poole, who is nursing a knee problem. Jim Miller was the third quarterback, and offensive lineman Gene Mruczkowski, defensive end Marquise Hill, and defensive tackle Ethan Kelley were the other inactives. The biggest-name Miami player on the shelf was defensive tackle Tim Bowens. Starting left tackle John St. Clair also was out . . . The contract numbers are in on Larry Izzo and Matt Light. Izzo signed for a $150,000 bonus with salaries of $660,000, $665,000, and $670,000 through 2006. Light received a $2.5 million signing bonus and an option bonus of $6.5 million payable March 1 of next year. He also receives salaries of $455,000 this year, $1 million in '05, a $1.7 million roster bonus before the '06 season and a $1 million salary; a $3.5 million salary in '07, $3.75 million in '08, $4.25 million in '09 and $4.5 million in '10.

Catching on
Daniel Graham extended his streak of regular-season games with a touchdown reception to five when the tight end hauled in Tom Brady's 1-yard toss in the first quarter. Graham now shares the franchise record with Michael Timpson and Jim Colclough. Graham, not much for words, said of the catch, "It's just a play we work on in practice. We executed it pretty well. It was a little surprising today [to be wide open]." Graham said he has been double-teamed quite often in the previous three games . . . Kevin Faulk caught one 14-yard pass and carried the ball once for 1 yard. Yesterday's game marked his first appearance this season after missing time to attend his mother's funeral and nursing a knee injury. "It just felt real good to be out there again helping my teammates," Faulk said. "It just really cleared my mind. I could probably use a little more work to get myself in top shape, but I'm getting into game shape more and more.". . . Patriots owner Bob Kraft stood in the back of the room during Belichick's press conference . . . Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga reportedly was in Scotland playing golf rather than watching his team lose to the Patriots.