Fans rally around 18-0 Patriots

~ A bootless Tom Brady appeared at the Super Bowl sendoff Sunday.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Don't worry, Patriots fans. Tom Brady plans to play in the Super Bowl.

New England's star quarterback walked up the three short steps to the podium with ease Sunday night, showing no signs of the right ankle injury that had become such a hot topic since he was spotted wearing a protective boot last Monday.

"It's feeling good. I'll be ready to go," Brady said with a smile as the AFC champions met the media for the first time shortly after arriving in Phoenix.

It was the first time Brady acknowledged he was injured in the AFC championship game.

"It was in the San Diego game, I think in the third quarter," Brady said, referring the Patriots' 21-12 victory last Sunday.

Since then, Brady hasn't practiced, but said he moved a little bit during the week and "shuffled around."

"I'm not concerned about how it's going to affect my play," he said. "This won't keep me out."

Earlier in the day, Brady walked without slipping on a light dusting of snow on the Gillette Stadium field as flurries fell at a rally in Foxboro, Mass.

"Now this is Foxborough faithful right here," Brady told a cheering crowd of about 15,000 after he reached the podium at midfield along the Patriots sideline. "We can just go ahead and play the game today. Thank you guys for coming out."

The face of New England's franchise reportedly has a minor high ankle sprain, which has caused concern among Patriots fans hoping the club can beat the New York Giants in the Super Bowl and become the first team in NFL history to finish 19-0.

After returning to Foxborough on Wednesday from a trip to see supermodel girlfriend Gisele Bundchen, Brady, this season's NFL MVP, wasn't seen by the media the next two days while they were allowed into the locker room and at practice.

There was no media availability Saturday, and Brady hadn't spoken in public since his news conference right after New England's win over the Chargers.

Other players who addressed the crowd included Richard Seymour, Tedy Bruschi and Junior Seau.

As the snow fell, Brady stood at the podium in a gray, pinstriped suit and a crisp white shirt that was open at the collar. He had no overcoat but kept his hands in his pockets in the subfreezing temperatures while others spoke. Then he made some brief remarks.

"We're going down there for one reason," he said. "That's to bring a title back to Foxborough."

Seymour is looking forward to being greeted by another big crowd when the team returns from the Super Bowl.

"I'm not big on pregame celebrations," he told the crowd. "I'm big on postgame celebrations."

Team owner Robert Kraft is hoping for a special one.

"We hope to come back from Arizona perfect," he said to cheers from the fans, "19-0."