Patriots coach Bill Belichick has brought touches from home for his players to gaze at and is scheduling a half-time during practice sessions.
"Coach Belichick is a genius," gushed running back Stevan Ridley when asked about how the Patriots are preparing for Super Bowl XLVI.
For what ESPN believes is the first time in the history of Super Bowl preparation sessions, a coach is simulating half-time by taking a 30 minute break and even speaking to the team as if they were in the middle of the real thing.
Ridley continued, "He knows what's going to work and he's been around longer than any of us, and he's doing everything he can to get us prepared."
Some of the rookie's awe can be attributed to it being his first go-round at an NFL Championship, but Belichick has long been called a genius, or an evil genius depending on one's point of view.
The team took images from Foxboro and the team's practice facility to place around the hotel where they are encamped, all to make them feel more comfortable. Hard to hear the word "comfortable" and Belichick in the same sentence?
No one can argue with the fact that Bill Belichick has been smiling more and demonstrating more patience with his media obligations in Indianapolis. Maybe it's the atmosphere in the city which has been the most welcoming and friendly of Super Bowl sites.
When Indy was announced as a host city, there was a lot of head scratching. It was expected to be cold with potential for snow in a downtown that most did not think would be able to entertain the thousands who descend on a place for the big game.
It turns out that the fears were unfounded. The weather has been positively balmy. Warren Sapp, NFL analyst gave the city a big thumbs-up for how they it connected major hotels, broadcast complexes and entertainment venues, without him having to experience any weather.
The thousands of volunteers who are working the city have helped visitors and players learn about events and get directions.
The Indianapolis Star carried a story about a Belichick news conference during which he as asked about him being chipper.
"That's different than the way it usually is," Bill asked in jest. A reporter countered with another question. "Is this the real Bill Belichick?"
Just so that no one thinks Bill Belichick has gone soft, wide receiver Deion Branch told media that he took a couple of teammates home with him for a dinner prepared by his wife and they all pooped out early.
“It’s kind of hard, plus guys are so tired, man; coach Belichick is getting it out of us." Some things never change.
Image: Wikimedia Commons/Keith Allison
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