While Bill Belichick, his coaching staff, and the Patriots players are totally focused on winning Super Bowl XLII, Scott Pioli and his people are planning on how best to position the Pats for Super Bowl XLIII.

“The reason I was late coming down here,” Pioli said yesterday morning while seated in the stands at the University of Phoenix Stadium during the Patriots’ portion of Media Day, “is that I spent Sunday with the college scouts, preparing for the draft, and then spent Monday with the pro scouts, preparing for free agency.”

As New England’s V.P. for Player Personnel, Pioli combines with Belichick to give the Patriots a 1-2 front office punch that’s second to none.

“This is wonderful,” said Pioli, looking at the wild and wacky scene along the sidelines at the site of Sunday’s game. “But we’re six weeks behind now. On the flight home, I guarantee you we’re going to spend some time talking about our plans for the draft and free agency.”

-JIM DONALDSON