INDIANAPOLIS —
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is famous for his attention to detail.
But practicing halftime?
That’s exactly what Belichick did Wednesday with his team. Normal NFL halftimes last 12 minutes. At the Super Bowl on Sunday, while Madonna entertains a worldwide audience, the break will be 30 minutes.
And Belichick wants to make sure his players are prepared.
“I think it really gets into a whole restarting mentality,” he said. “It’s not like taking a break and coming out in the second half. It’s like starting the game all over again. It’s like playing a game, stopping, and then playing a second game. It’s like a doubleheader in baseball, if you will.”
So the Patriots’ boss started Wednesday’s practice, went through drills and then stopped at the halfway point and sent his team into the locker room. There they experienced a simulated halftime, complete with coaches discussing changes for the second half, and then returned to the practice field.
“We just tried to go through that process on a time frame more like it’s going to be this week than what it’s been in other games this season,” Belichick said.
Curtain call?
Speculation has been rampant about the futures of both head coaches following Super Bowl XLVI.
Belichick was asked during Friday’s final pregame press conference whether he’s had thoughts of retiring if the Patriots defeat Tom Coughlin and the Giants on Sunday.
He said he hasn’t really given the idea much thought.
“I enjoy the competition on a weekly basis,” Belichick said. “Not just on Sundays, but the preparation leading up into the game. I enjoy all of it. It beats working. It’s fun to address those challenges on a daily basis, so right now I’m really focused on the game and that’s where my energy is going to go, toward doing the best I can for the New England Patriots against the Giants on Sunday.”
Gronk looks like a go
The Patriots went through a one-hour walkthrough Friday on their final practice day before the Super Bowl.
Tight end Rob Gronkowski, whose recovery from an ankle injury during the AFC Championship Game, went through the motions with his teammates Friday, but no running was required.
“We’ll see where he’s at on Sunday, but hopefully (he’ll play). I saw no setbacks. He’s still making progress,” Belichick told pool reporter Alex Marvez of FoxSports.com.
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New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski answers a question during Media Day for Super Bowl XLVI on Tuesday in Indianapolis. Mark Humphrey / The Associated Press
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Patriots notebook: Belichick leaves no stone unturned
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