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Belichick & Groh

Former Patriots defensive coordinator Al Groh, now the head coach at the University of Virginia, said he was looking forward to some rest and relaxation later this week. So what does someone like Groh do for that R&R?

After wrapping up his business at the Atlantic Coast Conference spring meeting this week in Florida, Groh told the Boston Globe’s Mark Blaudschun that he’s coming to Gillette Stadium Thursday and Friday to spend time with coach Bill Belichick, mainly to "talk football".

One of the lasting memories of Groh, who served as Patriots defensive coordinator and linebackers coach from 1993-96, was when he placed a shovel behind the team’s bench in the 1994 season and reminded players they had to “dig out” from the team’s 3-6 start. The Patriots, who were in their second year under head coach Bill Parcells, won their next seven games and qualified for the playoffs.

Groh, now entering his seventh season at Virginia, visited the Patriots last June and spoke to the team following a practice at mandatory minicamp.

EXTRA POINTS: Rookie free agent Justin Warren, who was waived on Tuesday, had failed a physical. … Running back Chris Vincent or Oregon, who participated in the Patriots’ rookie camp over the weekend, signed with the Lions.