The game is still a week away, but the verbal sparring has begun. Plaxico Burress fired the first shot this week when he said about the Giants’ wide receivers that, "We have guys that can go out and do things just as well or maybe better than some of those guys.” The Patriots have refused to take the bait with Rodney Harrison simply talking about seeing what happens on the field while Ellis Hobbs noted that Plaxico has “really long arms.”

While it is clear that the Giants would be better off just shutting up, the Patriots are creating their own intrigue. Tom Brady was absent at practice this week and yesterday was spotted briefly in Boston- walking with a limp. It is inconceivable that Brady will miss the game and he isn't limping today, so it is unclear what the Pats are up to here and with Belichick running things you can never be sure.

Media Day is Tuesday and everyone is required to appear, so expect plenty of questions about Brady’s limp to be asked then. Let’s just hope the Giants don’t use the event to create more bulletin board material before the game.

Photo of Plaxico Burress stretching during practice on Friday by AP/Bill Kostroun