FOXBOROUGH - If you're a Chargers fan who bruises easily, then do not ask Patriots coach Bill Belichick what he thinks of your team's catchy little "Super Chargers" ditty. If you do solicit his opinion, do so at your own peril because you might not like what he has to say.
"I hate that song," Belichick said during a moment of levity in yesterday's media session at Gillette Stadium. "First time I heard that song was when I was with the Giants and we played out there" against San Diego's high-octane offense under former coach Don Coryell.
"They had [Wes] Chandler, they had [Chuck] Muncie, they had [Kellen ] Winslow, [John ] Jefferson, [Dan ] Fouts, and it was a track meet," Belichick recalled. "They didn't get through playing that song before they had scored again and they started playing it again. 'San Diego Super Chargers,' that's still ringing in my head . . . so, yeah, I don't like to hear that song."
There was another tune that grated on Belichick, one with which those in the NFC East are painfully familiar.
"I don't like to hear 'Hail to the Redskins,' either," he said. "When those songs play, it means it's not going well for us. I've never been with those teams, so that song's never been music to my ears."
Asked if it ever occurred to him to have his friend, Jon Bon Jovi, compose a theme song for the Patriots, Belichick said, "I haven't done that, but maybe we can come up with something. Have him and Bruce work on it together." Bruce, of course, being Bruce Springsteen.
Situation covered
Belichick didn't express any concern about Randy Moss being distracted by allegations of domestic battery, which the wide receiver has vigorously denied. "I think Randy's covered those, and I've talked to Randy about it and I support Randy 100 percent," Belichick said . . . Flagged for three personal fouls in the last two games, including a pair of 15-yarders (for a late hit and unnecessary roughness) in the Patriots' 31-20 victory over Jacksonville last Saturday, veteran safety Rodney Harrison said he won't alter his physical approach to the game. "Obviously, I'm very disappointed about the personal fouls, but at the same time it's not going to take away my aggressive style and the way I play the game," he said. "That's just who I am, a part of my makeup, and I wouldn't be Rodney Harrison if I took away my aggressive style. I'm going to play my game, and I'm going to be a lot smarter, but it won't change." . . . Wouldn't the Chargers love to have Wes Welker now? Signed by San Diego as a rookie free agent out of Texas Tech in 2004, Welker's NFL career began at the bottom of the Chargers' depth chart. "There were pretty much 11 guys ahead of me," he said. Welker's stint with San Diego lasted just one game, against the Texans (four kickoff returns for 102 yards). Welker was waived after the opener to make room for safety Clinton Hart, who is now a starter. Welker said the Chargers attempted to get him to stick with their practice squad, but he decided Miami would be a better fit. "At that point," he said. "I was just trying to find my niche in the league."VIP treatment
In an attempt to make amends for the harsh manner in which she was treated by Colts fans at last Sunday's game, Indianapolis TV station WTHR reached out Wednesday to Anna Grant, the 15-year-old girl from Stratham, N.H., who was loudly booed by the sellout RCA Dome crowd for wearing a Patriots jersey when she was introduced with other Punt, Pass & Kick champions. The TV station offered Grant VIP tickets to the 2008 Indianapolis 500, tickets to the Indy 500 Festival Parade, and a tour of the 2 1/2-mile oval at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In addition, Grant will receive tickets to the IMS Hall of Fame Museum and a care package of IMS goodies. Saying she understood the boos were not meant for her, Grant told WTHR, "It didn't bother me at all. I knew what [the booing] was for. I just laughed along with it; thought it was funny." Grant will be honored by the Patriots at Sunday's AFC Championship game and will be introduced as an honorary captain for the opening coin toss . . . The Patriots conducted their afternoon practice on the Gillette Stadium field yesterday in sweat pants, shoulder pads, and helmets. Left tackle Matt Light (flu) and safety Mel Mitchell (biceps) did not practice. Quarterback Matt Gutierrez and offensive lineman Dan Connolly wore black jerseys as practice players of the week. Quarterback Tom Brady (right shoulder) and right guard Stephen Neal (shoulder) practiced in a limited capacity.Mike Reiss of the Globe staff contributed to this report.
