Patriots Blog: Simulated Halftime At Practice
INDIANAPOLIS (CBS) - During Wednesday's Patriots practice, Bill Belichick held a simulated halftime to get the team ready for the lengthy break during Sunday's game.
This is smart for a number of reasons.
Players are creatures of habit. The halftime in the regular season is 15 minutes.
It's real quick and guys don't do much. On Super Bowl Sunday, the halftime is 45 minutes.
There will be time to adjust game plans and take a closer look at injuries.
However, it may be a bad thing for Rob Gronkowski.
His injured ankle will be warm and likely ready to go come game time, but when he has to sit for the half, the longer period will cause it to tighten up.
Expect the Patriots to keep him moving at halftime to keep that ankle loose.
He may be junk by the fourth quarter, but having him go for three quarters is better than nothing at all.
SECOND LOOK
The Pats have been in a rematch for the Super Bowl before, and not just against the Giants in 2008. The Pats also did it back in 2002 against the St. Louis Rams
The Patriots lost to them during the regular season in Foxboro and then came to the Super Bowl and played them differently.
Ty Law told me the second time around, the Pats defense told Belichick, they needed to play the Rams man-to-man.
It worked.
That was the adjustment in the rematch that made all the difference and the Pats won their first championship.
NO MORE TALKING
Mixed feelings for the players today.
It's the last time we get to speak with them.
Patrick Chung said to me " I love you guys but it's time for y'all to go."
I think that's how a lot of the guys feel.
Football needs to happen and right now the media situation is taking up a lot of time.
Wes Welker would like it to be done as well.
He called this latest media session " a bit annoying" and said he's ready for football.
As for Tom Brady he is relishing the moment.
He hopes that he's been more open to the requests this week.
