Roche: Brady, Belichick Enjoying Super Bowl Week
INDIANAPOLIS (CBS) - The Patriots had their final media session of Super Bowl XLVI week here at their team hotel on Thursday morning.
I was at Tom Brady's podium for most of the morning. I also roamed around a bit, and here are a few thoughts.
--Brady talked about how much fun he's had this week after not being here for four years. He even mentioned how he enjoyed media day. I agree with that. Tom actually did seem to be having a great time when he was seen at different media events. I think both he and the team are in a good place right now. How that translates into Sunday is the big question.
--Bill Belichick also seems to be in a good place. Everyone has talked about how relaxed he has been here, and it does seem that way. Bill seemed extremely tight in the 2007 run for perfection and maybe that made his team tight as well. I think Bill likes the way his veterans as well as his younger players have been able to handle things. Wes Welker said this week that maybe it's because of Belichick's girlfriend, Linda.
--It's been sad for me to watch Robert Kraft here. Having watched my Mom lose my Dad, I feel bad. He has to feel a bit empty. He's probably so used to sharing his thoughts and feelings with Myra and I'm sure when he's alone, it's got to be rough. Having the rest of the family as well as his Patriot family helps, but no one can replace that special relationship.
--It's hard to wish anything but success to Bill O'Brien as he heads off to Penn State after Sunday's game. It's too bad that many Patriot fans only think of his shouting match with Tom Brady when they see him. He's a nice guy and is well-respected by everyone.
--You've gotta believe that Rob Gronkowski will get out on the practice field at some point in the next couple of days. He wants to see how the ankle is, but also how it will respond to all the moves he needs to make to be Gronk. By the way, Gronk has handled himself with nothing but class throughout what has had to be a tough time for him.
We'll have more later on. Enjoy the week.
