Freeney on Brady

Those hoping for some lively trash talk between the Patriots and Colts might be disappointed this week.

There appeared to be some good bulletin board material for both sides leading into the week. Patriots outside linebacker Willie McGinest previously told ESPN that the only time Colts quarterback Peyton Manning would beat the Patriots is when he’s through playing. In turn, Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney credited the success of Patriots quarterback Tom Brady to the team’s offensive system.

Freeney was asked to clarify those remarks during a conference call with the New England media on Thursday.

“Tom is a great quarterback; any quarterback who can bring a team to three Super Bowls and be such a success as he’s been for that team, you can’t take anything away from him,” Freeney said. “More or less what I was saying with that, though, was that he is a great quarterback for the system he’s in.

“I’m not saying he couldn’t succeed in other systems. We don’t know, because this is the only system he’s in. Just like Joe Montana was a great quarterback in the system he was in. Could Joe Montana play in a system like the Atlanta Falcons and boot(leg) every play? Hmm. … It is what it is. I’m a great pass rusher for the system I’m in, but put me in a 3-4, two-gapping, then you’ll be talking a whole another thing.”

Colts coach Tony Dungy held a conference call after Freeney.

PRACTICE NOTES: Defensive linemen Richard Seymour and Ty Warren; running back Patrick Pass and safety James Sanders weren’t present for the first part of practice opened to the media. The first portion of practice included special teams and stretching … Running back Corey Dillon rode an exercise bike and then loosened up by running … Three players added to the injury report on Wednesday –- tight end Benjamin Watson and receivers Tim Dwight and David Givens –- were present for the early part of practice … Receiver Troy Brown and cornerback Randall Gay were present for the second day in a row. … The team practiced indoors today, with Patriots coach Bill Belichick saying third down and the red area were top items on the agenda.

Looking ahead, we’ll plan on posting our next update later today after the injury report is released around 4 p.m. ET.

–Mike