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FOXBORO, Mass. -- Hopefully the New England Patriots' scouts haven't cleared their DVRs since the summer. They might be called on to watch HBO's "Hard Knocks" this week.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick gave a surprising response when asked if it would be an "asinine waste of time" for the Patriots to watch "Hard Knocks" as they prepare for the Houston Texans this week. "Hard Knocks" gives unprecedented access into an NFL team each training camp, and this year's season focused on the Texans.

"In terms of preparing for a team, we have a lot of people in our organization that kind of do different forms of preparation work," Belichick said. "That will be covered in that general category. Not me specifically, no."

The Patriots already are very familiar with the Texans, whose head coach, Bill O'Brien, is a former Patriots offensive coordinator. Texans offensive coordinator George Godsey and defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel also are former Patriots assistants. Texans linebackers coach Mike Vrabel and defensive assistant Anthony Pleasant are former Patriots players. Texans starting quarterback Brian Hoyer and nose tackle Vince Wilfork also are former Patriots players.

Thumbnail photo via David Butler II/USA TODAY Sports Images