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Brady to return as Patriots open against Chiefs

Sep 7, 2008 - 12:50 PM Kansas City AT New England, 1:00 pm EDT

FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts (Ticker) -- NFL teams typically put little stock in the outcome of preseason games. Count the New England Patriots among them.

Fresh off a record-setting and historical season, the Patriots open the regular season Sunday by hosting the Kansas City Chiefs.

In 2007, New England became the only team to complete a 16-game regular season undefeated, but a stunning 17-14 loss to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII put a damper on the season.

Matching the lofty exploits of last season would be a monumental task under any circumstance, but the Patriots have given little reason to believe it is possible after looking listless on both sides of the ball throughout a winless preseason.

Add to the fact that reigning Most Valuable Player Tom Brady did not take a snap in a preseason game due to a sore foot and New England hardly resembled the juggernaut that set league records for points scored last season.

Brady, who set a league record with 50 touchdown passes in 2007, insisted he is ready to start the season and did not appear concerned over not appearing in an exhibition contest.

"I am pretty confident that I have played a lot of football games and I think I know the situations and understand what it takes to move the team and get the ball in the end zone," Brady said. "I don't think there is a lot of confidence lacking from my standpoint and with the ability of what our team has. I think we just have to go prove it."

To accentuate his point, Brady noted that star wide receiver Randy Moss missed the entire preseason in 2007 and went on to shatter a league record with 23 touchdown receptions.

"It didn't affect him a whole lot. I am hoping it doesn't affect me a whole lot," Brady said.

Life without Brady was not pretty. Backup Matt Cassel failed to lead the team to a touchdown during the preseason, during which the Patriots put up 56 points in four games - a far cry from the unit that tore through defenses and went over 30 points in 12 of 16 games last season.

Moss dismissed the preseason results.

I don't see any frustration or anything setting in around here," Moss said. "We are getting ready for Sunday. We look forward to a good game."

Starting off the season against the rebuilding Chiefs should make for an easy opener for New England.

Hindered by an injury to All-Pro running back Larry Johnson, Kansas City staggered to a 4-12 record in 2007, including a season-ending, nine-game losing streak.

The Chiefs are handing the reins to third-year quarterback Brodie Croyle, who is 0-6 as a starter in his career and has yet to show he is the answer.

In addition, Jared Allen, who led the league in sacks last season, was traded to Minnesota, and two highly regarded first-round draft picks, defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey and offensive tackle Branden Albert, have been hindered by injuries in the preseason.