By Mike Wilkening, Trent Modglin and Keith Schleiden
Jan. 29, 2008

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Patriots QB Tom Brady said Tuesday that his injured right ankle, one of the most discussed injuries since Hippocrates penned his oath, isn’t bothering him.

“My ankle feels good,” said Brady, as media mushroomed around his podium at Super Bowl XLII Media Day at University of Phoenix Stadium. “My ankle feels great. I practiced a full day yesterday. I think we had one incompletion in practice.”

Brady’s health has been in question since Jan. 21, when he was spotted walking around New York with a protective boot one day after the Patriots’ win in the AFC title game. The boot wasn’t seen again, but Brady’s ankle was taped during the Patriots’ first practice in Tempe on Monday. While Brady, who is suffering from a high ankle sprain, could make a token appearance on the team’s Wednesday’s injury report, it would be a surprise of monumental proportions if he doesn’t play on Sunday. 

“Tom is a warrior,” Patriots WR Randy Moss said. “He’s always been a warrior. I don’t think a high ankle sprain can keep him out of the game.”

Brady, 30, threw an NFL-record 50 TD passes this season, two coming in a 32-of-42, 356-yard passing performance vs. the Giants on Dec. 29. The Giants’ defense, known for the considerable pass-rush pressure it can muster, sacked Brady only once.

Brady is expecting the Giants to alter their game plan somewhat on Sunday.

“In terms of the style of defense they play, I’m sure that will change,” he said. “I’m sure they’ll come into this game with some new defenses, new looks, some new fronts. We’ll come in with new plays, and probably not until the end of the first quarter (will you) understand how the game is going to play out.”

This was Brady’s fourth Media Day, and he handled the hubbub with grace and humor, even when he fielded a mock wedding proposal from a female television reporter clad in, yes, a wedding dress. But his focus was on Sunday, not the buzz and clutter of Tuesday.

“The only thing you can control is the way you prepare each week, and this team has done a great job of doing that,” he said.

Manning gets the Media Day treatment, too

Giants QB Eli Manning speaks to the media

While Brady got questions about the prospect of a 19-0 season and that memorable proposition, Manning fielded plenty of questions about his family, football’s First Family as quarterbacks go.

He was also asked about his maturation, a popular topic these days as the Giants make a rather unexpected appearance in the NFL title game thanks, in part, to his efficient, steady play in the postseason. The discussion about his future in New York has generally ceased; the praise of his coming-of-age has commenced.

Manning, three years younger than Brady, said it was no big deal.

“I haven’t changed my personality; I haven’t changed the way I play football,” Manning said. “I think part of coming into this league, you have to earn respect as a player, you have to figure out what your role is from a leadership standpoint and what you need to do to get your team ready.  And that just comes with time and earning that from your players — proving that you’ll make plays and do the right thing, that you can put your team in the right place to win.”

Avoiding turnovers a key not lost on Giants

The Giants lost 14 fumbles and threw 20 interceptions during the regular season. In short, they were a mistake-riddled team that survived on other aspects of the game, like a good pass rush and running game.

But in their three postseason games, the Giants have become decidedly more careful with the pigskin, committing only one turnover in three road victories — that coming in the form of a R.W. McQuarters fumble at Green Bay on an interception return.

That ability to keep the ball, according to several players, is the biggest determining factor in the Giants’ run to the Super Bowl.

“When you look at this postseason and our play, the one thing that we’ve done a really good job of is eliminating turnovers and taking care of the football,” Giants C Shaun O’Hara said. “And it’s funny because that’s probably one of the first things Coach Coughlin talked about when he came to the Giants. His No. 1 stat is the turnover stat. Turnovers will lose football games for you, and this year, in the postseason, we’ve done a great job of taking care of the ball.”

Randy being Randy

Patriots All-Pro WR Randy Moss, not always the most welcoming with the media in recent years, was open and engaging Tuesday, touching on a variety of topics during his time in front of the microphone. Among them are these samples:

What went wrong during his time with the Raiders: “Things started getting in the way with coaching and play-calling and players and stuff like that, so the team concept was kind of screwed up in Oakland. Not knowing if I would ever get on this stage, I had to stay positive. But in the back of mind, I never really knew if I would get here or not. … I think a lot of people, media and fans, saw it a certain way that I was not responding, that it looked like I was not into the game. But overall, I was so down because of the expectations that we had.”

On not wanting to think in the past: “Whatever the past is, whatever happened in the past, I want to leave it there. And the reason why is because you know I’m on a high pedestal just as far as being in the Super Bowl and the team coming into this game undefeated and everything that’s been happening that’s been positive this year, and I don’t want to reflect on anything negative. I’ve never been that type, and I think that’s what really drives me and makes me stronger to go out there and make things happen.”

On whether Tom Brady is the best quarterback he’s played with: “By far. Not the best quarterback that I’ve played with. I think the best quarterback that’s ever been put in this league.”

On whether he wishes he could take back certain things he’s done or said in the past that damaged his reputation: “Not at all. I just don’t. What can I take back? I am who I am, and I’m going to do what I want to do and say what I want to say. To be able to say that I regret things, I don’t, because it’s already happened. There’s nothing I can do.”

On his relationship with coach Bill Belichick: “It’s more mental. We don’t really conversate much. He’s definitely a friendly person … but it doesn’t seem like he’s got a lot of time to talk about much other than football.”

The quotable Michael Strahan

In the offseason, Giants DLE Michael Strahan contemplated retirement. He skipped training camp, only to return to the team in time for the season opener at Dallas.

The Giants gave up 45 points in a loss to the eventual NFC East champion.

Giants DE Michael Strahan

“There is a time when I said, ‘Man, can I go back to retirement without having everybody hate me?’ ” he said. “But I’m glad I hung in there. The guys rose up. I came in and started off pretty slow, and the rest of the guys, they were running and they helped me up, and I don’t know what happened, but we’re here.”

Strahan, 36, was asked about what would be his ideal “fairytale ending” to Super Bowl XLII.

“My fairytale ending would be … ,” he began. He paused, laughed and continued, “First of all, winning the Super Bowl, which we’ve got an opportunity to do. And quitting when I can walk.”

He expanded upon his point.

“You know what?” Strahan said. “Winning the Super Bowl would definitely be a fairytale ending, but also walking away from the game when people think you can still do it. Not walking away when everybody says, ‘Well, he used to be a good player.’ ”

Strahan indicated he has not decided whether he will return for a 16th NFL season in 2008.

If he’s looking ahead, Samuels not letting on

After being named the team’s franchise player last offseason, Patriots CB Asante Samuel held out during training camp and indicated that he would not play for the franchise tender. In fact, Samuel indicated that he would sit out the first 10 weeks of the regular season in protest, only joining the team for the final six games so that he would accrue an additional season of NFL experience, allowing him another shot at free agency.

Ultimately, Samuel had a change of heart and signed the $7.79 million franchise tender in late August. He did so with the understanding that by meeting some reasonable incentives, he would not be slapped with the franchise tag again in 2008.

So now, with just one last game to play in the ’07 season, Samuel could be playing his final contest as a member of the Patriots. What’s next for one of the NFL’s best cornerbacks? He’s not saying.

“Of course, as of right now, I’m on the team and I’m happy,” said Samuel on Tuesday. “When that time comes, if I’m here or if I’m not, we can talk about it then. Right now, I’m just concentrating on football and the Super Bowl and enjoying the moment.”

But with Nate Clements having signed an $80 million free-agent contract with the 49ers last offseason, the notion of a gigantic payday has to be floating somewhere in Samuels’ head. Right?

“Obviously, seeing that makes you smile, but I’m not really worried about that,” Samuels said. “We’re at the Super Bowl right now.”

The media made one last attempt to get Samuels to think about the potential of life after the Patriots, asking if this Super Bowl is extra special because it could be his last with this team.

“I’m going to cherish the Super Bowl anyway, just because it’s the Super Bowl. There are a lot of guys on the team that have never been to the Super Bowl or never won the Super Bowl. So you’ve just got to enjoy making it here. You cherish the moments and enjoy the festivities because this is one of the biggest events in the world.”

Pierce wants to keep his coach

Giants LB Antonio Pierce came to the Giants three years ago, signing with the team as a free agent after spending his first four pro seasons with the Redskins. So he knows a little about the franchise in our nation’s capital. A franchise that continues its search for a new head coach, a search that is nearing a month in duration.

Pierce said it was not surprising that the vacancy has remained for so long, considering it was a team in turmoil during his days in Washington.

Giants LB Antonio Pierce

While Coughlin isn’t going anywhere after leading the Giants to the Super Bowl, Pierce might have to deal with a new defensive coordinator in 2008. The Redskins are believed to be interested in Steve Spagnuolo, who can’t be interviewed by Daniel Snyder until after the Super Bowl. While other names have been linked to the opening in Washington — including ex-Giants head coach Jim Fassel and current NFL Network analyst Steve Mariucci — the fact that Redskins have delayed any hiring lends credence to the idea that they want to at least talk to Spagnuolo.

Pierce lobbied hard for Spagnuolo to turn down any such inquiries from the Redskins.

“He needs to stay with the New York Giants,” said Pierce. “Stay here. He’ll be OK here. I’m not in the coaching business. I don’t understand that subject much. It might work out perfect for him. But we love him here as our defensive coordinator.”

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