Bill Belichick: Wes Welker Credits Hoodie's Happiness to Lady in His Life

We've all seen New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick at press conferences.

Cheery smiles? Few and far between. In-depth answers? We don't need no stinking in-depth answers. Injury reports? Forget about it.

But the man who has become known as "Hoodie" displayed a new-found sense of humor and congeniality this week leading up to the Super Bowl against the New York Giants.

Sure, you could attribute that to the fact that his Patriots are going to the Super Bowl for the second time in four years, or the fact that Tom Brady makes him happy or the fact that he's won five championships.

Or it could be the "lady in his life," as Patriots receiver Wes Welker noted.

Said Welker, via CBSSports.com:

"

I don’t know, I think he’s enjoying himself. I think he’s got a lady in his life, so that could definitely be the case; I don’t know.  We’re just coming here to try and win a ballgame.  However we do that or whatever demeanor we have to take, that’s what it’s going to be.

"

Has Scrooge's heart been opened up, only to expose a beautiful rose in the middle? Could it be? What will this mean going forward? Will Hoodie start revealing game plans by the handful, giving reporters up-to-date injury reports? Smiles?

If so, it threatens to destroy the very structure the Patriots have built. This is not the Patriots way. This is not Bill Belichick.

Somebody please tell me I'm dreaming.

Patriots receiver Deion Branch was hysterical when he heard what Welker said.

Said Branch, "He said what? I don't know. That's what Welker said? Coach told us to have fun, but not that much fun."

Since when have "fun" and "Bill Belichick" been used in the same sentence? Has Belichick softened up? Will it lead to a crushing blow in Super Bowl XLVI? Is this the new Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson? Will it be a distraction?

One thing's for sure: Patriots fans should be worried. Very, very worried.