Bill Belichick and Bill O'Brien are trying to finalize Pats-Texans joint practices

Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle

It looks as if the Patriots and Texans will meet in the pre-season this year, as Bill Belichick and Bill O'Brien are trying to finalize joint practice dates between the two teams.

Belichick and O'Brien, now the Texans' head coach, have remained good friends after O'Brien departed the Patriots after the 2011-2012 season for Penn State and both believe joint practices are very valuable.

Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston believes the teams will meet in Week 2 of the pre-season in Houston. It is also believed the Pats will travel to Detroit to take on the Lions in Week 3 of the exhibition campaign.

The pre-season schedule will be released later today.

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