Patriots Notebook: Friends and family join team for fun session at Mercedes-Benz Stadium

ATLANTA — For the Patriots, the final day before the Super Bowl was about enjoying the moment with family and friends in anticipation of Sunday’s big game.

Per pool reporter Jenny Vrentas, the team had more than 800 friends and family with them at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday morning, as Bill Belichick decided to eschew any sort of final walkthrough. Instead, the group came together for team photos and a gathering with their guests.

This is the same routine they have followed in previous Super Bowls.

“This breaks up the day and lets them participate in it with their families,” Belichick said. “This is a dream for every player to play in this game, so to be able to share it with loved ones and family is special. We have tried to embrace it.

“It’s fun to see them having fun,” Belichick said of the team. “They’ve earned it. You’ve got to earn your way here; there is no other way to get here. So it’s very satisfying to see them having fun and enjoying each other and having the camaraderie that comes with getting to the game.”

The Patriots had their full roster present, as well as running back Jeremy Hill and cornerback Eric Rowe, both of whom are currently on injured reserve. The team has a clean sheet when it comes to their 53-man roster — everyone is healthy enough to go, according to the coach.

“Everybody is good,” Belichick said.

Belichick told Vrentas he will gather the team for a team meeting Saturday night and another one Sunday morning, before heading to the stadium.

“Just us circling the wagons and playing for each other,” he said. “We are playing a good team, and we are going to have to play our best game of the year.”