Super Bowl XLII: Brady says he'll be ready

Jan 28, 2008 / By Rob Gerein

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady says that a slightly sprained right ankle will not keep him out of Super Bowl XLII.

Shortly after arriving in Arizona with his teammates Sunday, Brady confirmed that he will play in the Super Bowl and expects to resume practicing this week.   

“It's feeling good. I'll be ready to go,” Brady said at a news conference Sunday night. “I think we need three great days of practice, which I hope to be participating in.  I hope.  It's a couple of days away.  But I'm feeling better.”

“It has been a good week. I think the team has practiced hard, although I haven't practiced. But I have watched them practice hard and I think we are pretty well caught up mentally.”

Last week, Brady avoided the media, missed practice and was seen sporting a walking cast, which led to speculation the NFL MVP may not be able to play against the New York Giants in the NFL championship game Feb. 3 at the University of Phoenix Stadium.

The Patriots’ pivot also said he suffered the sprained right ankle during the third quarter of New England’s 21-12 victory over the San Diego Chargers in the AFC Championship Game.

Brady, who paced the 18-0 Pats’ perfect regular season with an NFL-record 50 touchdown, hasn't practiced since the AFC Championship. He said he hopes to return to the field in two days.

“I’m not concerned about how it is going to affect my playing,” said Brady, who helped lead the Patriots to Super Bowl victories in 2002, 2004 and 2005. “I can't run anyway so it is not going to have much of an impact.”
 
The 13-6 Giants were due to arrive in Arizona on Monday afternoon.

The Patriots are 12-point and -475 moneyline favorites at BetUS. The over/under is 53½.

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