The ability to improvise and adapt may be the final attributes that define a model franchise. The New England Patriots have quietly won two Super Bowls over the last three seasons. As a team.

They don’t have a player with a dynamic personality who is the darling of sports talk shows. That’s not to say they don’t have stars. They do.

But their stars are humble and classy. They know how to choose their words carefully so they don’t wind up on an upcoming opponents’ bulletin board.

They follow the lead of their head coach, Bill Belichick. When they lose, which has been rare, they don’t make excuses.

When the Steelers ended the Pats’ 21-game winning streak two weekends ago, Belichick said the Patriots were simply outcoached and outplayed.

He didn’t moan about losing All-Pro corner Ty Law very early due to a foot injury or the fact running back Corey Dillon (thigh injury) didn’t play at all.

Dillon has provided the Patriots with a bonafide running attack for the first time in several years, taking the pressure off quarterback Tom Brady.

In the aftermath of the loss to the Steelers, several of the so-called experts picked St. Louis to beat the visiting Patriots this past weekend. The Patriots triumphed 40-22, the only non-overtime loss among the three the Rams have suffered at home over the past 19 games.

During training camp, wide receiver Troy Brown saw some duty on defense as the nickel back.

With Law sidelined for four to six weeks and two other cornerbacks on the sidelines, it became a necessity to use Brown on defense this past Sunday and he responded to the challenge with flying colors.

He was an old-fashioned two-way player, although not on every play, and that is rare these days. He caught a touchdown pass from kicker Adam Vinatieri on a fake field goal. He stepped onto the field unnoticed and Vinatieri flipped it to him.

Had the Rams covered Brown, Vinatieri had other options. If it also appeared as if those weren’t going to work, he was supposed to take a delay of game penalty. Even with the penalty, it would have been a chip shot (27-yard) field goal.

The Patriots were able to protect their fill-in cornerbacks by jamming the Ram receivers at the line of scrimmage and consistently pressuring quarterback Marc Bulger with a variety of four-man pass rush schemes.

It is a credit to Belichick and his coaching staff that they are able to devise schemes, offensively and defensively, to put their personnel in situations that play to their strengths.

It is also a testament to their players’ unselfishness and willingness to put the team first.

There isn’t much loyalty in pro sports these days. Athletes follow the almighty dollar. The Patriots are one of the exceptions.

The Patriot coaches and management obviously do their homework when it comes to evaluating players. Talent is important but attitude and adaptability are equally important. They won’t draft or sign potential malcontents.

Dillon got sick of losing in Cincinnati and expressed his desire to leave. But it is obvious the Patriot management felt Dillon just needed a change of scenery and wasn’t going to be a malcontent in Foxboro.

They were right and their decision has paid huge dividends. They are 7-0 with him in the lineup.

Larry Mahoney can be reached at 990-8231, 1-800-310-8600 or by email at lmahoney@bangordailynews.net.