The New York Times-20080129-With Ankle Taped- Brady Practices

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With Ankle Taped, Brady Practices

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Patriots quarterback Tom Brady practiced Monday for the first time since sustaining a mild ankle sprain in the American Football Conference championship game on Jan. 20.

Brady's right ankle was taped, but he took part in all phases of the practice, including jogging the length of the field twice at the end of drills. According to the pool report from practice, Brady appeared to have a slight limp.

Patriots Coach Bill Belichick did not address Brady's injury.

Everybody practiced, he said. The injury report will be out Wednesday.

The Patriots practiced in full pads last week, with Brady missing those sessions. They practiced in shorts and shells Monday for about 1 hour 40 minutes. The Patriots and the Giants will not practice Tuesday, which is media day.

STRAHAN'S CHANGING ATTITUDEMichael Strahan would rather forget the last time he played in the Super Bowl, in 2001. What is there to cherish after the Giants were thrashed by the Baltimore Ravens, 34-7?

Strahan admitted Monday that four weeks ago I never thought I'd be here.

Strahan said he did not have a giddy, happy-to-be-here attitude as he did in 2001. He said he had a better appreciation of the preparation needed to win a championship and hoped his teammates would appreciate the chance of playing in a Super Bowl.

When asked about the 18-0 New England Patriots' quest for perfection, Strahan said: I'm not looking for them to get history. It's history for our players to get them a ring in their first Super Bowl.

Strahan and Amani Toomer are the only two Giants who played in that 2001 Super Bowl.

Strahan said that last summer he did not regret skipping training camp, but joked, If I stayed retired, they wouldn't be here.

CARL NELSON

MOSS COURT ORDER EXTENDED A temporary restraining order against Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss was extended until March 28. Moss was with his team in Arizona.

Moss's lawyer, Richard Sharpstein, said the decision came at a hearing Monday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., after he learned Rachelle Washington changed lawyers. She obtained the order Jan. 14. The temporary order requires Moss to stay at least 500 feet from Washington. No criminal charge has been brought.

Moss has denied the accusation by Washington that he committed battery causing serious injury Jan. 6. (AP) EXTENSION FOR CRENNEL Coach Romeo Crennel has agreed to terms on a two-year contract extension with the Cleveland Browns, his agent said Monday night. Crennel, 60, had two years remaining on the five-year deal he signed with the Browns in 2005. His agent, Joe Linta, said the sides had agreed in principle to the extension but that it had not yet been signed.

Crennel went 10-22 in his first two seasons, but this season guided the Browns to a 10-6 mark, their best since 1999.(AP)

AROUND THE LEAGUE Rex Ryan was hired as the assistant head coach/defensive coordinator of the Ravens, after losing out to John Harbaugh in the team's quest to replace Brian Billick. Ryan, 45, and the rest of the coaching staff were fired with Billick after the season. ... The Chargers and the Saints expect to meet in London this fall. Each team said the announcement should come from Commissioner Roger Goodell during his Super Bowl address Friday. (AP)