``I'm fine,'' Brady said. ``I always hope I'm going to be fine. Don't worry about me.'' The fact that Brady sat out workouts on Wednesday and Thursday - the two most important preparation days - may not ease anyone's fears. He played through pain against the Dolphins, but he also struggled in the second half and threw two interceptions.

He was one of nine players listed as questionable on the injury report, while defensive lineman Myron Pryor (chest) was doubtful.

``I'm sure Tom will do what he always does, which is do everything he possibly can to be as ready as he can be for the game,'' coach Bill Belichick said. ``I'm sure he'll do that and he has done it. So we'll see where things are on Sunday.''

As for the starting quarterback not taking all the repetitions in practice, Belichick said, ``That's the NFL. That's the way it is with every team.''

A Brown-out

Patriots running back Fred Taylor hasn't played since early October, still attempting to recover from torn ankle ligaments. And while Taylor hasn't spoken in-depth about his injury, he did allow a glimpse into his desire to return.

Taylor watched with interest last Sunday, as Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson was congratulated on the field by the legendary Jim Brown for passing the Hall of Famer on the all-time rushing list. Tomlinson ran by Brown's mark of 12,312 yards, now totaling 12,321 to move into eighth place.

And it left Taylor with one feeling: ``That should've been me.''

Without the injury, it may have. The former Pro Bowler entered 2009 with 11,271 rushing yards, needing 1,042 to pass Brown. But Taylor suffered his injury after gaining just 201 yards. It stung the player who cherishes Football history.

``Nobody wants to be back more than me,'' said Taylor, who is listed as questionable on the injury report. ``For that (achievement), and so I can help this team get back to winning.''

Moore the man

With Jake Delhomme battling a broken finger, Panthers coach John Fox stated the obvious and announced that Matt Moore would be his starting quarterback tomorrow.

With a 3-1 record but without much game film, Belichick has been impressed with the Oregon State product.

``He's got a good arm, he's accurate, he can make all the throws,'' Belichick said. ``I'm not saying he's Matt Cassel, but like Cassel you didn't see him play a lot, but when you did see him play you thought, `This is a good player.' ''

Moore was 14-of-20 for 161 yards in the win over Tampa Bay last week.

Back to work

It has been a tough time for the Patriots defense, with its struggles to rush the passer and defend the pass the past two weeks. Yet defensive end Derrick Burgess - one of the Tardy Four sent home Wednesday - said he's going to keep working.

``Every day, I come here, put on my hard hat - when I ain't late - you dig?'' Burgess said, drawing laughs.

``I can't just say one thing (that's wrong), but it's a lot of things,'' Burgess added. ``Communication, pressure on the QB, just play the defense in the huddle. And when we get (a win), it'll be all right.'' . . .

Running back Laurence Maroney said some leaders have emerged this week.

``A lot of older guys really stepped up and told us how important these games are, what we need to do to get to what we need,'' he said.

- irapoport@bostonherald.com