If he put out the word today that he wanted to run his own show somewhere, there would be no shortage of teams bidding for his services tomorrow.

But Pioli, 42, is content serving as the well-compensated co-pilot of a team that will shoot for its fourth Super Bowl title in 7 years Sunday night when Patriots face the Giants at University of Phoenix Stadium.

"I am doing things my own way right now," he said. "This is a good situation. We're winning. We're in our fourth Super Bowl. Because of what my title is, people have a perception. I know how things go inside. I'm happy with the situation the way things are right now."

Coach Bill Belichick, who hired Pioli as his personnel chief in 2000 when he came to New England, technically has the final say in all personnel decisions, just as Andy Reid does with the Eagles. But Belichick and Pioli are more partners than boss and employee, much like Reid and Eagles general manager Tom Heckert.

"I've known Bill a long time," Pioli said. "We have a personal relationship, but we also have a professional respect for one another. I can't think of one player in the time we've been here together that we haven't agreed upon."

That doesn't mean Belichick and Pioli always give players the same draft grade or feel the same way about every free agent who comes down the pike. They've had plenty of differences of opinion on players. But they work them out. And if they can't, then they steer clear of that player.

"If there's a player that Bill doesn't like that I like, it's kind of a feel thing," Pioli said. "You get to a certain point, and whoever believes in the player kind of stops pushing. Because if we disagree, we trust the other person enough that they know something or feel something that it's not going to work [with the player].

"There have been a lot of arguments, but they've always been very respectful. There've been times where there's been a player that Bill really likes that I'm not real crazy about. But I respect Bill enough that I'm going to go back and do more work on the guy. If there's a player that Bill doesn't like that I really, really like, he's going to go back and do more work. It's not going to end after just one conversation."

Pioli acknowledged he's been occasionally tempted when contacted about general manager openings around the league. But not enough yet to consider leaving Belichick and the Patriots.

"So far, this is the place I've wanted to be," he said. "It's not just about the job. It's about family. It's about quality of life. And right now, the quality of life is pretty good."

Brady practices

According to the pool reporter in attendance, he appeared to move better than he did Monday.

Wide receiver Jabar Gaffney was limited in practice by a shoulder injury, but will play.

Officiating crew

Carey was the referee for the Week 17 game between the Patriots and Giants.

The rest of the officiating crew: Tony Michalek (umpire), Gary Slaughter (head linesman), Carl Johnson (line judge), Boris Cheek (field judge), Larry Rose (side judge) and Scott Helverson (back judge).

Seau's impact

"I've seen Junior at 26 [when they played together in San Diego] and I've seen Junior at 39," safety Rodney Harrison said. "There's really no difference in his preparation, in his approach to the game or the way he handles his business. Really, if you put another number on his back, you wouldn't know if he's 39 or if he's 29. And that's pretty special."

Vrabel on Belichick

Family ties

"It's great to have your kids be part of what you do as a father," Belichick said. "Obviously, I spend a lot of time with the team and a lot of time away from home, and it's great for them to be a part of this."

Belichick's oldest child, Amanda, was on the sideline with him when the Patriots won their first Super Bowl 6 years ago. *