Brady to Patriots fans: 'Start drinking early' (water?)

QB Tom Brady doesn't want a wine-and-cheese crowd for the Patriots' home opener Sunday afternoon vs. the Chargers.

But did he really want a water-and-cheese-crowd?

"Start drinking early," he advised Pats fans Wednesday via reporters. "It's a 4:15 game. They have a lot of time to get lubed up, come out here and cheer for the home team."

Brady later made a postscript to his comments via a team spokesman, who said the 2010 MVP "wants everyone to drink a lot of water, stay hydrated. Drink responsibly."

The Patriots will be playing a meaningful game in front of the home fans for the first time since their divisional playoff loss to the Jets in January.

"The crowd, it always helps when they're loud, but we have to give them reasons to be loud," said Brady. "We have to give them reasons to cheer for us."