HOUSTON -- Ted Washington hates talking to the media.
Yesterday, at Reliant Stadium, he had to.
And while the Patriots nose tackle didn't enjoy the exercise -- questions he didn't like were met with a glare and a resounding "no" -- he was insightful.
Despite hating to leave Chicago when the Bears traded him to the Pats in August for a mere fourth-round pick, he now believes greater forces were at work.
"This was meant to happen for Ted Washington," he said. "The only thing left for me is to get a Super Bowl ring here this Sunday. Hopefully, a new contract will come with this team and we can try to get back here again.
"It's always tough when you get traded and don't know about it and then you get injured," he explained (Washington broke his leg against the Jets in the season's third game).
"You just have to stick with it and say your prayers and count your blessings. At the time, I was upset because they didn't come directly to me and let me know. They waited until after practice. I went home and then I found out through my wife. I don't think that's the way you should do business, but it's done with and I'm here as a starter on a Super Bowl squad."
As much as he dislikes dealing with those who cover the team, Washington truly seems to appreciate and enjoy those who play for it.
"There is team unity," he said. "The way the guys interact together, there is no selfishness, and that's the biggest thing. We work together and stay together, and that's the way it should be."
Left out in the cold
Every vacant head-coaching job has been filled, the final one going to Norv Turner, who agreed to coach the Raiders on Monday.
That neither Patriots defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel nor offensive coordinator Charlie Weis got any of those jobs is hard to comprehend, especially when a month ago it seemed likely both would be gone. Both interviewed (Weis with Buffalo and the Giants; Crennel with Atlanta, the Giants, Chicago, Arizona and Buffalo). But because the Pats were still in the playoffs, their contact with prospective employers was limited to a four-day window during the Pats' bye week at the start of the playoffs.
Weis spoke yesterday about his disappointment at not getting hired.
"Whether you are good enough or not to get that job, you never really know because by the time our season's over, there aren't any jobs left," he said.
Weis was sure to mention that he's spending much more time worrying about the Panthers than would-be jobs that fell through, noting, "I'll have plenty of time to reflect a week from now about my personal feeling on missed opportunities and job aspirations."
Added Crennel, "I think that the system, as it currently is, probably was a slight disadvantage to Charlie and myself. Everybody assumed we were going to the Super Bowl, which they were correct, and they didn't want to wait until February to have a chance to talk to us again and maybe make a decision about a coaching job."
Hometown advantage
Having grown up in Houston and played college ball right here in his hometown, at Rice University, where the Patriots are practicing this week, special-teams standout Larry Izzo is the recognized expert on where to go to eat, drink and be merry in what he likes to call "H-town."
Asked yesterday what restaurant he'd recommend to the Carolina Panthers, Izzo replied: "I'd send 'em to the seediest Mexican joint around."
Political football
Since not only actor and bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger, but also Ronald Reagan, who played the legendary George Gipp in the movie Knute Rockne: All-American, have been elected governor of California, it hardly should have been surprising that Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was asked a few political questions yesterday.
Especially since his appearance last week at President Bush's State of the Union address, by invitation of First Lady Laura Bush.
"I don't know if I'm registered as a Republican or a Democrat," Brady said. "I just vote for the candidate I think is the best."
Brady said he hadn't been exactly sure why he was invited to Washington to listen to the President address Congress until he heard the speech.
"At the reception beforehand," Brady said, "I met a man named Julio who was from New York. He ran a transition program for convicts who had been released and were trying to find work. The President mentioned that in his speech. Then, when he talked about keeping steroids out of sports, I figured that was why I'd been invited. One look at me, and anybody would say, 'Well, he sure ain't on 'em!' "
Shortly thereafter, Brady showed he might have a future as a politician.
The question was: "Beyonce, or Janet?" asked by a television reporter wondering whether Brady preferred Beyonce Knowles, who'll be singing the national anthem at the Super Bowl, or Janet Jackson, who's one of the featured performers in the halftime show.
"They're both talented," Brady said. "Both beautiful."
Extra points
Linebacker Tedy Bruschi said his injured calf is improving. "It's up to the trainers to get me better, and they've done a great job of it." . . . The Patriots are moving their practice field from Rice University to the Texans' indoor practice facility. The move is being made due to rain in Houston over the past weekend.
