Giants expect best of Brady in Super Bowl

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady celebrates a first down against the San Diego Chargers during the fourth quarter of the NFL's AFC Championship football game in Foxborough, Massachusetts January 20, 2008. Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce said on Friday he expected nothing but the best in the Super Bowl from Brady, spotted wearing a boot to protect what has been described as a mildly sprained right ankle. (REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton)

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Reuters) - Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce said on Friday he expected nothing but the best in the Super Bowl from Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, spotted wearing a boot to protect what has been described as a mildly sprained right ankle.

"I don't believe the ankle injury," Pierce told reporters after practice for the February 3 Super Bowl in Arizona when asked about the New England quarterback.

"I'm not really concerned about that at all. If the guy had a sling on and some crutches and a cast I might consider it," he said.

Brady was photographed outside the Manhattan townhouse of his girlfriend, the model Gisele Bundchen, on Monday, wearing a protective boot.

Secrecy has surrounded Brady's condition. His father told reporters he had mildly "tweaked" his ankle during the AFC title game against the San Diego Chargers.

New England coach Bill Belichick has given no information about Brady, who was not seen at practice in Foxborough during the time reporters were allowed to watch.

Pierce said the Giants were preparing for the best of Brady.

"We expect the Tom Brady to come out that is the MVP of the league, who had one of the best seasons of all-time for a quarterback this year," Pierce said. "That's what we expect. We're not looking at all that hoopla about that boot. We expect the best of Tom Brady."

(Editing by Clare Fallon)