FOXBORO - Pro Football Hall of Fame offensive guard John Hannah and a finalist for the honor this year, linebacker Andre Tippett, will be the honorary captains representing the Patriots at Sunday's AFC Championship Game against the San Diego Chargers.

Both members of the Patriots' 1985 AFC championship team, Hannah and Tippett will accompany the current captains to midfield for the pre-game coin toss. They will be joined at the coin toss by Anna Grant of Stratham, N.H., the national winner of the NFL Punt, Pass and Kick competition in the girls age 14-15 division, who had the misfortune to be booed by fans at the RCA Dome last week when the winners were announced before the Indianapolis fans.

"I did hear that we are going to honor her," linebacker Mike Vrabel said, "and I'm sure our fans will appreciate the fact that she had the guts to go into the RCA Dome with a Patriots jersey on."

Hannah was the first Patriot elected to the Hall of Fame, earning induction in 1991. He was a 10-time All-Pro pick and his nine Pro Bowl selections are the Patriots' record.

Tippett was a five-time Pro Bowl participant, playing 11 seasons with the Patriots from 1982-93. He was named as a finalist for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Jan. 15, marking the second consecutive year he has been chosen as a finalist. Should the Patriots win the game Sunday, Tippett has also been chosen to present the Lamar Hunt Trophy to the Patriots' representatives on the stage.

Peyton pep talk

In his turn at the podium, Tom Brady got a chance to offer some good-natured ribbing to Colts' quarterback Peyton Manning, whom many believed would be leading the opposition against the Patriots on Sunday.

Brady was asked if his comments about wanting an Academy Award after selling his Statue of Liberty play in last week's game against Jacksonville was indicative of a desire to begin a Hollywood career after his football days were over.

"No, I'm not quitting this job yet," he said. "After football? I hope that's a long time from now. I hope I don't have to decide that. I'm still a young guy, only 30 years old. So maybe down the road "

But then, a sly smile gradually formed on Brady's face as he considered what acting opportunities might be there for him.

"If Peyton goes into it, I know that I couldn't get close to that," he said. "He's taking all those jobs."

He's consistent

Bill Belichick appeared at the podium dressed more casually than in the past - open-collared gray dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up on his forearms, slacks and shoes (no socks) - and he didn't waver at all from his topics of the week. He expressed respect for the Chargers, said his team was honored to be playing in the game, and didn't touch upon any other newsworthy items.

Asked if this was a "fun" season, Belichick stayed totally in character. "Well, there have certainly been some good moments," he said, "but really, the season right now hinges on one game. It's a one game season with the San Diego Chargers, they are the best team we've played and we are going to have to play our best game, and that's really where all of our focus is right now and looking ahead.

"We're not really looking back and not doing anything other than looking at San Diego Sunday at 3," he said. "That's where we need to have our peak performance and be our best and that's what the target is. Other than that, it wasn't too much to think about."