RB Pass is activated

FOXBOROUGH -- The Patriots filled the final spot on their 53-man roster yesterday by activating running back Patrick Pass off the physically unable to perform list.

The Patriots had until Tuesday to make a decision on Pass, either activating him or placing him on injured reserve.

A seventh-round draft choice in 2000, Pass adds depth to the running back group and also figures to help on special teams, although it is not certain if he will play today.

Pass had been on the PUP list since Sept. 2 because of a foot injury. The team had an open roster spot after placing punter Josh Miller on IR Friday.

When Bill Belichick served as defensive coordinator for the New York Giants in the late 1980s, he had regular contact with one of the team's scouts, Jerry Angelo.

Belichick came to know Angelo as an excellent personnel man, so it has come as no surprise to him that Angelo has built a winner in his role as general manager of the Bears (2001-present).

"I noticed for a while there was some criticism and all that on the Bears about how they were doing a couple of years ago, and I haven't seen much of that lately," said Belichick. "I have an awful lot of respect for what they've done there and the way they built that team. They've built a great team."

Partially because of the longtime connection between Belichick and Angelo, the Patriots and Bears have been part of four trades in recent years. The two most significant came in 2003, when the Patriots moved up one spot in the draft's first round to select defensive end Ty Warren, and later that year the Patriots shipped a fourth-round pick to Chicago for nose tackle Ted Washington, who turned out to be a key piece in their Super Bowl championship.

Belichick said the connections between the teams extend deeper, as he's struck up a friendship with Bears coach Lovie Smith.

"I think Lovie has a great sense for managing a team and getting players to execute and play well and run a team that thinks like a team, not just a bunch of individuals running around out there," Belichick said.

The Patriots have won 17 of their last 19 games vs. NFC opponents . . . The Bears are making their first trip to Foxborough since Sept. 21, 1997, when the Patriots posted a 31-3 victory in the fourth game of Pete Carroll's coaching tenure . . . Today marks Belichick's 200th career contest as a head coach and quarterback Tom Brady's 100th start . . . Kevin Faulk needs five receptions to tie Tony Collins's team record for receptions by a running back in a career (261) . . . The Patriots have 219 first downs this season, second in the NFL, while the Bears defense has allowed the fewest first downs (140) . . . Walt Coleman is scheduled to referee today's game.

Mike Reiss can be reached at mreiss@globe.com.