New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick believes that having strong veteran leadership is key to having a harmonious locker room.

The Patriots' AFC East rivals, the Miami Dolphins, have been embroiled in a bullying scandal as offensive lineman Richie Incognito has been accused of harassing his teammate Jonathan Martin.

Belichick told radio station WEEI: "I don't think I've really ever had that problem with a team. I think a lot of it is with the veteran players and how they handle their teammates in the locker room.

"But every once in a while, if you kind of see something going in a direction you don't like, then as a coach you have to step in and do something.

"There have been a couple of little minor things like that, a couple times during the course of my career, but really not too much."

Belichick has been head coach of the Patriots since the 2000 season and is in his 14th year with the club.