When the 2009 NFL draft comes around next April, don't be surprised if a couple of Alabama players end up with the Patriots.

Bill Belichick's friend and former assistant Nick Saban is the coach of the Crimson Tide; back when Saban was in charge at LSU, it led to several of his players coming to the Patriots: Randall Gay, Eric Alexander, the late Marquise Hill.

When Saban left LSU to take over the Dolphins, it put a bit of a strain on his relationship with Belichick, since they became direct competitors -- for wins, for players, for the AFC East title. But with Saban now back in the college ranks (Alabama is 3-0 and ranked ninth in the current AP poll), Belichick told media in Miami yesterday that their friendship has been restored.

"Yes, it's a lot easier now that we're not in the same division, it sure is," Belichick said. "I think Coach Saban has done an outstanding job at Alabama and I'm sure we'll be looking at a lot of his players this year and the years going forward. I learned a lot from Nick when we worked together in Cleveland and he was the defensive coordinator. We talked football through the years and I have a lot of respect for Nick and I think he's one of the best coaches that I've ever been around."