Belichick expects Brady to play

In a conference call with Kansas City reporters earlier today, Patriots coach Bill Belichick was asked if quarterback Tom Brady will play in Sunday's season opener.

"He's practicing and I expect he'll be ready to go," Belichick responded.

According to one reporter present on the call, Belichick was pressed further for more details about Brady, who did not take a snap in the preseason while suffering from what had been reported to be a deep bone bruise in his right foot.

Belichick's response: "I expect him to be out there today and I expect he'll be out there the rest of the week."

During the time that media members were present during the Patriots' afternoon practice, Brady was seen jogging, running through agility bag drills, and working on three-step drops while throwing to a stationary target.

Last season's NFL Most Valuable Player indicated during his weekly press conference Monday that the foot has been getting "progressively better over the last few weeks" and he will be ready to go when the Patriots open their season at home against the Chiefs Sunday.

"If it's up to me, I'm going to play," Brady said. "I'm always hoping I'm going to be out there. I'll be preparing the same way."

Brady has been uncommonly durable since taking over for Drew Bledsoe during the 2001 season - he has started 126 consecutive games, the third-longest active streak in the NFL behind Brett Favre and Peyton Manning.