More smiles from Belichick? Welker has a theory

Tom Coughlin isn’t the only Super Bowl coach who seems to be enjoying this experience more than usual. Turns out Bill Belichick is also showing a softer side to the media and the players. Today, for example, he spoke touchingly about the role his father played in developing his love for football and even gave a self-deprecating comment about his experience so far with Hoosier Hospitality.

"I've never had much hospitality here until I went for it on fourth-and-2," Belichick joked.

So what gives?

“I think he’s very appreciative of (this run),” Patriots receiver Matt Slater said. “I think everyone around here realizes that it’s a very unique opportunity. He’s encouraged us to enjoy the moment and realize that opportunities like this don’t come around often. Maybe once a career, if you’re lucky. So I think we all need to enjoy it, realizing that there’s no guarantee we’ll be back here, but at the same time realizing that we have a job to do.”

Wes Welker thinks it might be something other than just the winning that has Belichick in a good mood.

“I don’t know if it’s a lady in his life or what the deal is, but he definitely smiles a little more than he used to,” Welker said. “But trust me, he is just as hard on us as what he’s been since day one, at least with me. He is on all of the time. He works very hard and tries to put us in the best position to win.”