Quick hits

Quick hits from Bill Belichick’s press conference (10:30 a.m. EDT) at Gillette Stadium on Friday:

* Asked if rookie nose tackle Mike Wright has earned more time: “This isn’t high school where you want to give guys letter-sweaters. If the guy can help us win, we’ll give him a chance to play.”

* Asked if Falcons defensive lineman Chad Lavalais [6-1, 232] was hard to get hands on because he’s a bit smaller than many linemen: “It’s not like you can’t find him in there. He’s not hiding.”

* Asked about what’s motivating the team: “This isn’t about throwing a chair into a blackboard. I wish that was all there is to it. I don’t think that’s the answer.”

* Asked about tight end coach Pete Mangurian’s assistance in game-planning against his former team, the Falcons (2001-2003): “He’s certainly helped us with his knowledge of the [Falcons]. Game-planning, we collectively do it the same every week. But he’s given us some insight into the players and what some of their strengths and weaknesses are. This is a team we don’t know that well. There’s certainly some insight he can bring.”

* Asked about the cut-blocking of the Falcons’ offensive line: “I wouldn’t say Atlanta is a big cut-blocking team. We play against other teams that use more cut blocking.”

PATRIOTS PIECES: No sign of Richard Seymour in the locker room today, although a travel duffle bag was in front of his locker. That could be a sign he’ll make the trip. … The team practiced outdoors for the third straight day and Belichick said it wasn’t a consideration to practice inside to assimilate to the turf in Atlanta. … Doug Flutie wore a Red Sox jersey and cap and said he plans to attend today’s Boston-Chicago baseball game … Tight end Christian Fauria and linebacker Mike Vrabel were two players drawing larger media crowds. … Belichick said the Falcons generally run more man-to-man blitzes than zone blitzes.

Looking ahead, we’ll plan on posting another update later in the day.

–Mike