Dressed (in full pads) for continued success

FOXBOROUGH - The Patriots practiced in full pads yesterday inside Gillette Stadium, an indication that coach Bill Belichick isn't pulling back despite the team having already clinched the top seed in the playoffs.

The Patriots hadn't practiced in pads for several weeks, and one reason for the contact was so the offensive linemen could clean up their play.

Patriot linemen were flagged for three false starts in last Sunday's win over the Jets, upping their season total to 14. While false starts might be expected on the road, where crowd noise requires the use of a silent snap count, Patriot linemen have been called for 10 of the infractions at Gillette Stadium.

So, Patriot linemen are actually faring better when they can't hear the snap count.

By practicing in full pads yesterday, the hope was that a faster workout would yield a productive environment for the linemen. The idea was to have the linemen get in synch with quarterback Tom Brady's live cadence leading into Sunday's home finale against the Dolphins.

Meanwhile, the pads were another reminder that Belichick has no plans to rest starters over the final two regular-season games.

"I think that's a conversation that you can have, and the fans can have, but it's not really part of our approach to the game," he said. "I don't think it's a good one to have. I don't really understand it, either. You're going to pick out one guy that is important and say somebody else isn't? I don't think that's a good way to manage your football team."

Brady and cornerback Asante Samuel noted that Belichick was particularly hard on players during yesterday morning's team meeting.

Not feeling snubbed

Wes Welker, whose 96 receptions rank second in the NFL, was driving a friend to the airport Tuesday when he received the news via text message that he wasn't selected to the Pro Bowl.

He took it in stride after being edged out by teammate Randy Moss, Reggie Wayne (Colts), T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Bengals), and Braylon Edwards (Browns).

"I think a lot of guys are deserving, especially at my position," Welker said. "It's one of those deals that doesn't mean that much. It would be nice, but we have bigger goals to tackle."

Welker was presented the Patriots' 12th Player Award yesterday, which annually goes to the player who performs beyond expectations and is recognized for contributions to the organization, both on the field and in the community.

One reason Welker earned the award is for coming through in key situations. He has 24 third-down catches, sixth most in the NFL. His three third-down catches last Sunday all resulted in first downs.

"It's kind of a clutch down," Welker said. "You always want to step up your game on third down."

His calling

On Tuesday, Belichick called the eight Patriots who were selected to the Pro Bowl to congratulate them.

"I think that all of us can be proud of the guys that were selected, and they all deserve it," he said. "I think that there are other players who are important parts of the team as well that easily could have gone, but most importantly I think when you have a successful team, then that's usually where those selections come from."

"It's always an honor to be selected and to have your peers recognize you, as well as fans and the coaches," Brady said. "I think [you] probably look back at it at the end of your career and appreciate it, but this is certainly a team game. It's been a fun year because it's been such a team effort. I can say this, the 14 wins we have are a lot better than any selection to any All-Star game."

Brady added that he takes greater satisfaction in seeing his teammates selected, especially those who earned the honor for the first time.

Seeing more good play

Coming off a performance that included the most impact plays since he returned to the lineup Oct. 28, defensive lineman Richard Seymour appeared to have turned a corner with his injured knee.

"I'm still not 100 percent, but who is at this point?" he said. "I'm not complaining, but I think I'm heading in the right direction."

In sight

With two games remaining in the regular season, Brady has 45 touchdown passes, the third-highest total for a season in NFL history and four behind Peyton Manning's record. "He's alone with the few other players in the league I really look at and admire how they play," Brady said of Manning . . . Tight end Kyle Brady, who left last Sunday's game in the second quarter with a foot injury and didn't return, did not practice yesterday. "Not too bad," he said. "I'm taking it one day at a time, pretty much." . . . Safety James Sanders, who did not play Sunday after being limited because of his knee, was not listed on the team's injury/participation report . . . Reserve offensive lineman Billy Yates (foot) did not practice, while tight end Benjamin Watson (ankle) and guard Stephen Neal (shoulder) were limited . . . The Patriots have an opening on their 53-man roster, with Belichick noting that the team could go in several directions . . . Belichick said the signing of nose tackle Rashad Moore yesterday was to bolster depth, as the team had only five defensive linemen . . . Veteran Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor, who has regularly given the Patriots fits, did not practice yesterday because of a foot injury . . . Seymour is scheduled to be a guest on the NFL Network at halftime of tonight's game between the Steelers and Rams.

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