Belichick shows his lighter side

INDIANAPOLIS – The cameramen trailed Bill Belichick as he strolled to the stage, the normally Hooded One wearing a crisp, dark suit and an even more surprising accessory.

A smile.

He then stepped to the lectern and preached normalcy, saying just minutes after the New England Patriots arrived Sunday for Super Bowl XLVI that he intended to keep things as routine as possible despite the chaos that surrounds their showdown next weekend with the Giants.

But it was a Belichick rarely seen as he addressed the media in the event’s first news conference at the University Place Conference Center and Hotel.

The normally blunt coach was relaxed and patient with questioners. Some of his answers droned on, shocking for a coach who can make Tom Coughlin sound verbose.

And he even laughed and made jokes – including one at his own expense, referring to his infamous gamble in November 2009 to go for a first down on fourth-and-2 from the Patriots’ 28-yard-line late in a game they were leading the Colts by six points. They lost, 35-34.

“I never had too much hospitality here until I went for it on fourth-and-2,” Belichick cracked. “And then since then, I’ve been greeted in a lot more friendly manner than I was in the past.”

The Giants arrive in Indianapolis this afternoon.

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.

“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,” receiver Wes 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.

“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.