---

PHOENIX - Ty Warren was made a very happy man this past August when the Patriots gave him a five-year, $35 million contract extension.

But a day doesn't pass in which he's not appreciative.

"As far as me being able to don a New England Patriots' uniform and helmet be a part of this organization it's been a privilege and an honor," the Patriots' defensive tackle said Monday at the Phoenix Convention Center. "I've been fortunate to be able to be on a team that's been as successful as this team has. We continue to do great things, and I definitely want to be a part of it."

Warren and several of his teammates took the opportunity, in their individual press conferences to start the Phoenix-based hype for Super Bowl XLII, to praise both the organization and the coach who has led them to four Super Bowls since taking over in 2000.

Warren, asked how he would describe Bill Belichick, didn't mince his words. "A perfectionist, a realist," he said. "He's a guy that believes in no stone unturned. I could give you a long list of things, but those are the things that stick out.

"He doesn't give special treatment to any one player, no matter what their so-called status is on this team," Warren continued. "He doesn't believe in entitlement or things like that. Everybody gets the same treatment."

"He's smart, well prepared," safety Rodney Harrison said. "He has knowledge of all three areas - special teams, defense and offense. He's a guy who doesn't overlook any detail. That's Bill Belichick. He just pays attention to every single aspect or detail about this football team, and that's the thing that really separates Bill Belichick from others."

"He's totally different that any other coach I've had," said linebacker Adalius Thomas, who joined the Patriots this season as a free agent off Baltimore's roster.

Thomas is the player who took Belichick's penchant for handing out "humble pie" to players in practice and made it into a slogan for the season, complete with T-shirts.

"That's the thing, just keeping us humble," Thomas said. "You hear from the media how great you are, and when you get in the team meeting, it's totally different. You are only as good as your weaknesses. You go out there and work on things that you aren't good at.

"When you do that, it helps you get better as a team," he added. "You may not necessarily see it right away, but it will come back up."

Wes Welker, the talented wide receiver late of the Miami Dolphins, said he came to Foxboro with an open mind.

"I really didn't know what to expect or how it was or what went on," he said. "Coach Belichick has done a great job of holding us to a high level and making sure we don't go backwards and making sure we are moving forward, and that we are making strides as the season goes on."