Belichick expresses his joy of the game
AFC Champion Head Coach Bill Belichick answers questions during a press conference at the JW Marriott ahead of Superbowl XLVI. (Feb. 3, 2012) Credit: Getty Images
INDIANAPOLIS -- Don't think for a second that Bill Belichick is staying up late this week, unable to get enough shut-eye as things build to Sunday's big tilt with the Giants.
"Slept like a baby," the Patriots' coach said Friday. "Honestly, I usually do during the season. I start early and have a full day of things that I need to do to prepare myself and prepare the team. When it gets to the early part of the evening or so, I'm usually kind of getting worn out and go to bed, sleep well, wake up in the morning and start fresh.
"At the end of the day, I'm tired and have no problem rolling and putting my head on that pillow and I'm out."
Belichick is used to this Super Bowl thing. Even though the Patriots haven't been in it since 2008, this is his fifth visit to the NFL's big game as New England's head coach.
Beating the Giants would give Belichick four Super Bowl crowns, tied for most with Chuck Noll. As it is, Belichick's three titles tie him with Joe Gibbs and Bill Walsh.
Belichick also has a 17-6 career mark in the playoffs, tying him with Gibbs for third- most postseason victories in NFL history. Only Tom Landry (20) and Don Shula (19) collected more.
When asked if he'll consider calling it quits if the Patriots win Sunday, Belichick swatted away any possible retirement talk like a defensive back batting down a pass.
"Right now, I'm really thinking, 'What's the best thing I can do to help our football team on Sunday against the Giants?' " he said. "I want to really try to do a good job in the job that I have. I enjoy all the aspects of the job. I enjoy the team-building, the drafting, the free agents, team acquisitions -- those kind of things. I enjoy bringing in the young players and working with guys who haven't been in the NFL and teaching them the basic fundamentals in how to become a professional football player for the New England Patriots.
"I enjoy working with the veteran players, the Tom Bradys and the Vince Wilforks and the Wes Welkers and all those kind of players that can do really special things because of their, not only talent, but experience. I enjoy the competition on a weekly basis, not just on Sundays, but the preparation leading up into the game. I enjoy all of it. It beats working."
Maybe that's why Belichick showed more of a human side this week, smiling and joking with the media. He certainly appeared to be soaking it all in.
"Every Super Bowl is special, and it's a real privilege to be involved," Belichick said. "I know this is my eighth one as a head or assistant coach, but it's what you work for all year going all the way back to February or March when you start putting your team together and training camp and all the meetings. It's like 111 practices a year, or whatever it is, but it's a long haul.
"To be able to get here is what you work for, so it's a great experience. Each one is different. They're all special, and it's really a great reward for all the hard work and competitive success that we've had on the field throughout the course of the year to be able to be here and represent our conference in this great game. Happy to be here. Very happy to be here."
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