A few quick hits from Bill Belichick's conference call with reporters on Friday:

1. Encouraging signs. Belichick said that after reviewing the tape of Thursday night's 7-6 win over the Saints, there were some encouraging signs. Being that it was the first game, a big focus was on getting the team's game-day operation going without too many bumps in the road. He felt it was a "good step in that direction." Belichick also liked some things in the running game and pointed out some solid carryover from fundamentals and techniques taught in practice. The defense also was a positive (not a lot of points allowed), while coverage in the kicking game was competitive. At the same time, as he often does, Belichick noted that the team was far from perfect and more work is needed.

2. Important week of practice ahead. Belichick pointed out that with the final three games of the preseason coming in a span of 10 days (Aug. 20, Aug. 24 and Aug. 29), this next week of practice is crucial for the team because it's the last chance the club will have to string some practices together.

3. Background on Rivera. After Dane Fletcher left Thursday's preseason opener, the Patriots reshuffled their linebacker corps with Dont'a Hightower moving from the strongside to the middle, flanked by Jerod Mayo and Bobby Carpenter. But at one point in the first half, first-year linebacker Mike Rivera was inserted into the mix, playing with Hightower and Carpenter. Asked about the under-the-radar Rivera (6-2, 255), Belichick said, "He had a good year on the practice squad [last year] and did enough things that we re-signed him this season. He’s been very competitive in camp, so we’re trying to give him some opportunities to see what he can do. He’s a hard-working kid who has shown up in the kicking game and on defense and has done some good things."