PHOENIX — Not that it will quiet the hysteria, but Tom Brady was back on the practice field Monday.
In the New England Patriots’ first desert workout in preparation for Super Bowl XLII against the New York Giants, the star quarterback made his first appearance on a football field since Jan. 20, when he suffered a sprained right ankle in the third quarter of New England’s victory over visiting San Diego in the AFC championship game. Brady caused a major stir when he was seen the next day in New York with a boot on his right foot. He missed the Patriots’ workouts in New England late last week.
Sunday night, in his first public comments since being injured, Brady was decisive in saying he would play against New York as the Patriots attempt to become the first team in NFL history to finish a season 19-0.
Brady, the NFL’s MVP, had his tender ankle wrapped during the practice, according to a Super Bowl pool report. The report — one assigned reporter watched the workout — indicated that Brady had a slight limp. Yet, he participated in all aspects of the workout. Brady ended his workout by jogging the length of the practice field twice.
The Giants arrive.
Taking a page from Tony Dungy’s book, New York waited until Monday to fly out to the game site. Last year, Dungy’s Indianapolis Colts flew to Miami on Monday, a day later than the Chicago Bears. The Colts won the Super Bowl, 29-17.
Giants coach Tom Coughlin said he had no qualms about coming to Phoenix a day after the Patriots. Coughlin said this week will be as normal as possible for his team.
“We had given them a couple of days off to get organized as best as they could,” Coughlin said. “We felt like that was a real plus. . . . We just thought we would be best served by doing as much as we could at home.”
New York will start its practice week in earnest Wednesday. Today is media day for both teams.
Bill Williamson
