Bill Belichick has said that Austin Collie showed "a lot of growth" during his first two weeks with the New England Patriots.

While missing their top five receivers from the 2012 season, the AFC East leaders brought in the free agent wide receiver earlier this month.

The head coach told reporters: "There are always things that no matter how many walkthroughs, meetings, film sessions, conversations you go over with somebody, there are things that happen in the game that you don't cover or they happen a little bit differently.

"I'd say in Austin's case, that the first week he was probably, we probably could have played him. I don't know. He certainly worked hard. He's a smart guy. But I would say that there was a lot of growth from week one to week two.

"He just seemed quicker, had fewer questions, was more confident, played quicker, played faster so I think it's a combination of all those things. It's seeing it on the practice field certainly, but it's also when you ask questions in the classroom and go through it, that the player can respond to them quickly and with confidence and you know he knows it."

The 27-year-old took two receptions for 24 yards during his debut for the Patriots last weekend.