INDIANAPOLIS – Even the usually dour Bill Belichick was joking around as the New England Patriots arrived in Indianapolis for Super Bowl week.

At his opening news conference Sunday night, Belichick was asked if he expected some Hoosier hospitality.

“I never had too much hospitality here,” he said, noting that the Patriots aren’t exactly popular in Colts country, “until I went for it on fourth-and-2.”

His gamble on that play at the New England 28 with 2:08 to go failed and led to the Colts’ winning field goal in a 2009 regular-season game.

“Fans greeted us lots more and were awfully friendly” after that, he added.

All-Pro receiver Wes Welker wasn’t familiar with the term when asked the same question.

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“What is Hoosier hospitality? What does that consist of?” Welker asked to laughs before getting a full explanation from a local television reporter. “I think it will be a little strange practicing at the Colts’ facility. I don’t know how many people like that, but we’ll be calm and polite and not try to rub it in, so I hope everyone is appreciative of it.”

Belichick, dressed in a suit — no hoodie for the coach this time — also said All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski is “day to day” with a high left ankle sprain for Sunday’s NFL title game against the New York Giants. Gronkowski has been wearing a walking boot since being injured in the AFC title game.

“You’ve got to prepare for every one of these situations that come up,” quarterback Tom Brady said of the possibility Gronkowski will be limited or sidelined. “You always have to have some contingency plans.”

Brady knows the Giants will bring lots of heat with their pass rush, but for now he was more comforted by not having to face a local rival who frequently has put Brady on his back.

“I see Dwight Freeney’s picture up there (on the stadium),” Brady said. “When you come to Indy and don’t have to play him, we are very fortunate for that.”

Belichick also was gentle and charming with 12-year-old reporter Grace Ybarra of Scholastic News Kids Press Corps, who asked him about how he would feel if he won a fourth Super Bowl to tie Steelers Coach Chuck Noll.

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“It would make me feel pretty good,” he deadpanned.

Even his players have noticed a kinder, gentler Belichick.

“We wonder about that all the time,” Welker said. “I don’t know if it’s a lady in his life or what the deal is. He definitely smiles a little bit more than he used to.

“But trust me, he’s just as hard on us as he’s been since Day One, at least with me.”

The surprisingly laid-back Belichick even opened up about his father, Steve, who was an assistant coach at Navy and an influential figure in his coaching career.

“I’ve grown up with (football because of him),” Belichick said. “That was my life as a kid, from when I first remember … 4, 5, 6 years old. And obviously the rest of my life.

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“He had a huge impact on my childhood, my love for the game and my involvement in the game as a coach.”

Belichick has not led the Patriots to the Super Bowl since they lost to the Giants four years ago, 17-14. But revenge is not a factor, he says.

“All the games in the past I don’t think mean too much at this point,” he said.

SUPER BOWL NOTES

HIGH WINDS reportedly topping 50 mph forced organizers to temporarily evacuate two tents at the NFL Experience interactive fan exhibit in downtown Indianapolis.

NFL Experience spokesman Noah Gold said visitors were ushered out of sponsor and memorabilia tents after tent operators read high wind speeds on gauges attached to the tents. The tents reopened about an hour later.

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Gold said he wasn’t sure how fast the winds were blowing before evacuation, but WTHR-TV reported downtown wind gusts up to 51 mph were recorded.

Parts of the NFL Experience featuring football games and shopping inside the Indiana Convention Center were not evacuated.

DAN DEPALMA won’t be playing in Super Bowl XLVI, but he may wind up being one of the Giants’ most important players as they prepare to face the Patriots. DePalma is a wide receiver on the Giants’ practice squad, and his assignment this week will go a long way toward determining how well the defense deals with Welker on game day.

DePalma is imitating Welker’s every move on the Giants’ scout team in practice.

“The coaches gave me a cut-up (video) of his routes, so I study that at night and try to come out the next day and play like him and give the guys the best look I can,” said DePalma. “Welker is a great receiver, and his play speaks for itself.”

DePalma is actually playing a dual role in practices. He’s also acting as Julian Edelman, the Patriots’ receiver who has been converted into a defensive back and could be covering Victor Cruz in the slot Sunday. But his primary work this week will be as Welker.

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How’s DePalma been doing so far? Perhaps a little too well.

“The coaches tell me I’m doing a good job,” he said. “I’m running the routes right and I’ve been catching passes. Hopefully, the next couple of days, they shut me down a little more.”

THE PATRIOTS will practice today and Wednesday through Friday to simulate a normal week.

THE GIANTS arrive in Indianapolis this afternoon.

 


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