The three-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback and 2007 NFL Most Valuable Player said he feels good about the status of his knee, but, like his play in the OTA, Brady's comments were a little guarded.
"I feel as good as I could possibly feel," Brady said. "I don't think about [the knee]. It doesn't bother me doing anything, so it's feeling really good. That's about as good as I can say. I'm real happy with where I'm at and coming out in these workouts. I'm happy to participate in them. That was something that was a big goal for me to be able to do."
Although it's dangerous to draw conclusions from a noncontact workout in May, to say Brady was at his best yesterday would be inaccurate - like some of his passes. Brady threw five passes in an 11-on-11 drill and completed two. He was able to do three-, five-, and seven-step drops, but his gait was a little ginger when he had to pitch the ball on a toss sweep.
In March, Patriots owner Robert Kraft told the Globe that Brady would wear a brace this season. Brady said the brace wasn't a big deal.
"No, you don't really notice it," he said. "I mean, I'd rather not wear it, but [trainer] Jim [Whalen] is forcing me to wear it, so I got to listen to him."
Brady, who threw just 11 passes last season, acknowledged he needs work.
"I feel I've been playing football for a long time. You don't have to relearn how to do anything," said Brady. "You just have to go out and try to be sharp. I don't think I've been very sharp the last couple of days in practice. It takes a lot of reps and a lot of practice."
How well Brady will be able to dodge pass rushers - or paparazzi - remains to be seen, but he was evasive when asked what could stop him from being ready for the season opener Sept. 14 against Buffalo.
