I’m typing from a mostly empty media center in Indianapolis, waiting for Sunday’s big arrival.
After Florio get here, the New England Patriots plane will land as well. Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, and a handful of other Patriots will speak to the media this evening.
The Patriots got a big sendoff in Foxborough before they left. An estimated 25,000 fans showed up to Gillette Stadium for a rally that was highlighted by Wes Welker’s red slacks. Bill Belichick spoke, but his usual media gameplan was in place.
“Coach Belichick told us not to come out here and talk too long,” wideout Deion Branch said via Mike Rodak of ESPNBoston.com before exclaiming, “We’re going to the Super Bowl!”
Rodak’s comrade Mike Reiss noted that the Patriots have had a more relaxed attitude during this playoff run compared to previous years. That attitude has trickled down from Belichick, who has been relatively loose with the media.
“I wish I could take all you guys to Indy with us,” Tom Brady said. “We’re going down there, and we’re going down there for one reason. We’re going to give it our best and hopefully we have a lot more people at our party next weekend.”