LSU football coach Nick Saban has more going for him than talent. He also has the best consultant in the country.

And his consultant doesn't even charge.

Saban is a big buddy of New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick. Their relationship goes back to their days with the Cleveland Browns when Belichick was the head coach and Saban was the defensive coordinator.

Both have come a long way since then. Belichick has won two Super Bowls in three years, and Saban has become the highest-paid coach in college football since winning a national title at LSU last year.

When Belichick spent two days in Baton Rouge this spring, Saban said he asked him about the problems New England encountered in trying to defend its first championship. But they talked mostly about defense.

It's easy to talk shop because their defensive schemes are so similar. Even the terminology is the same.

"As we tweak things, it's always good to discuss those changes and why we made them," Saban said at SEC football media days. "You only have a few people who are mentors that you can do that with, because someone else's system is completely different. It has been a real asset to have someone like Bill that I can share ideas with."

You also have to wonder if Belichick seeks advice from Saban in evaluating players. Three of the Patriots first five draft picks this year were from the SEC; they have taken an LSU defensive player in each of the last two drafts.

Corner Concerns: Auburn has juggled its secondary since losing starting cornerback David Irons to a season-ending knee injury last week. Junior Kevin Hobbs, who started seven games at safety last season, moved to cornerback for Saturday's scrimmage.

Hobbs will compete with Montavis Pitts, who played mainly on special teams last fall. Whoever wins the job likely will get plenty of business from opposing quarterbacks. Carlos Rogers, who mans the other corner, is one of the best defensive backs in the SEC.

Position Switch: Mississippi State's Quinton Culberson, who made the All-SEC freshman team last fall, has been switched to safety. At 6 feet, 220 pounds, he's more than big enough for the new role.

Culberson's move could give junior college transfer Brian Staley a shot at the starting cornerback position opposite Kevin Dockery. Staley, who was ruled academically eligible last week, had 19 interceptions in two seasons at Georgia Military College.

Staley's coach, Bert Williams, told the Jackson Clarion-Ledger he has the potential to be better than Robert Bean, a former Georgia Military College player who made first-team All-SEC for the Bulldogs in 1999.

Stewart A Hit: Former Maryville High School star running back Carl Stewart had the biggest hit of Auburn's scrimmage Saturday. Stewart, a redshirt freshman, ran over starting safety Will Herring.

Stewart was the leading rusher in the scrimmage with 71 yards on 12 carries. He and Tre Smith got most of the carries while star tailbacks Carnell Williams and Ronnie Brown watched from the sideline.

Kicking Contest: Brandon Coutu might have a slight edge in the competition to replace Georgia kicker Billy Bennett, the SEC's all-time scoring leader.

Coutu, a redshirt freshman, made all of his field-goal attempts in Saturday morning's practice. Andy Bailey, a redshirt freshman and former McMinn County standout, only missed one field-goal attempt.

Protecting Your Interests: Mississippi State fans don't have to worry about losing new coach Sylvester Croom to another SEC school. His contract won't allow it.

"There is a non-compete clause in his contract," Mississippi State athletic director Larry Templeton told the Clarion-Ledger. "He has agreed not to go to any other Southeastern Conference school."

Protecting the passer: SEC officials will have a different criterion for making roughing-the-passer calls this fall. It's as simple as one-two.

"We're going to be tighter on rushing the passer," said Bobby Gaston, the conference's coordinator of officials. "If a defender takes two steps before hitting the quarterback after he releases the ball, we're going to call it."

Gaston said other conferences also have been receptive to the "two-step" call.

Extra points: Auburn quarterbacks Jason Campbell and Brandon Cox combined to complete 18 of 26 passes in Saturday's scrimmage Kentucky coach Rich Brooks has closed practices to the public because he wants to cut down on distractions prior to the season opener against Louisville South Carolina coach Lou Holtz's Orlando home was damaged severely by Hurricane Charley.

John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.