Dom Capers, hired by the New England Patriots Thursday as a special assistant/secondary coach, spoke with the New England media Friday in a conference call and said his primary job was to coach the secondary and then aid wherever needed.

Capers, who was the Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator last year, was previously a head coach at Carolina and Houston. He's hoping that can be to his advantage in his new situation.

"One of the advantages of being a head coach for a number of years is you always knew what you were looking for in assistants and hopefully I can be that guy'' he said.

Asked about linebacker Zach Thomas, who was recently released by the Dolphins and reportedly offered a contract by the Patriots, Capers said, "I’ve been in the NFL for 22 years now - this will be 23 years. He’s one of the best preparers that I’ve been around. He’s one of he top guys. I mean, the guy is obsessive in his preparation. He’s very much a professional. He’s the one who spends probably as much time as the coaches do to get ready for the game, and I think that’s why he’s been able to have the kind of production and the success he has over his career.''

While Thomas still hasn't committed, it should be noted that the Patriots re-signed special team player Larry Izzo on Thursday. That could be significant because Izzo is a close friend of Thomas from their days together in Miami.

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