'Spygate' United Kraft, Belichick

GLENDALE, Ariz., Jan. 29 -- The New England Patriots aren't talking all that much during this Super Bowl week about the spying scandal in which they were involved in the opening week of the season. Their typical response has been to dismiss "Spygate" questions by calling the incident long-forgotten history at this point.

But Patriots owner Robert Kraft did have something interesting to say Tuesday when he was asked about it at the Super Bowl media day. Kraft said one of the byproducts of the scandal was that it actually strengthened his relationship with his coach, Bill Belichick, because of the way they handled the situation.

"We had just won a great game, and that was not my first choice of what would happen," Kraft said. "I think we've covered that [subject] pretty well. I am not sure all of the facts are out on that. We all know that it had no impact on any game this season. We have moved on from it. But it did do one thing. I think in a way it helped solidify the relationship that Bill and I have developed, and it has evolved because we did stand together, and he explained it to me, and he had my full support."

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell fined Belichick $500,000 and the team $250,000 for improperly using videotaping equipment to steal the play signals of the New York Jets' coaches during the Patriots' season-opening triumph at Giants Stadium. Goodell also stripped a first-round draft choice next spring from the club, but said the league found Kraft had been unaware what the Patriots were doing.

Kraft reportedly agreed to a contract extension with Belichick, keeping the coach with the team through the 2013 season, before the spying scandal. Now Belichick is on the verge of delivering a fourth Super Bowl title in seven seasons, not bad for someone who was the failed former coach of the Cleveland Browns when Kraft hired him in January 2000.

"When I was thinking of hiring Bill," Kraft said Tuesday, "I know a lot of people thought that I was making an error, and they based it on how he dealt with the media, and they sent me tapes from his experience in Cleveland. But in the end, I am into substance. I am not into lipstick and powder."

Brady: Full Practice

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said his injured ankle "feels great." Brady participated in the Patriots' practice Monday with his right ankle heavily taped. He reportedly has a mild high-ankle sprain.

"I practiced a full day" Monday, Brady said. "I think we had one incompletion in practice." . . .

Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss did not object to last week's comment by Giants wideout Plaxico Burress that the Giants might have better receivers than the Patriots do.

"What the Giants have shown the last couple weeks . . . they're making plays too," Moss said. "It's fair to say that they're sitting on the same stage as us or maybe a little bit higher than that. What Amani [Toomer] and Plaxico have been able to do is something that as a wide receiver you love to see happening."

N.Y., Boston Mayors Bet

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino are doing more than rooting for their hometown teams.

In the bet placed yesterday, the loser will donate local foods to charity in the other mayor's city.

If the Patriots win, that means Bloomberg will send a delivery to Boston that includes Manhattan clam chowder, pastrami sandwiches, New York pizzas, black and white cookies, New York steaks and a few gallons of lemon ice.

If the Giants win, Menino will send a package with New England clam chowder, Dunkin' Donuts coffee, Boston cream pies, chicken sausages and Brigham's ice cream.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.