Quarterback Tom Brady emphasized that he will not allow the uncertainty of his future to affect his play or that of his teammates in their bid to remain a perennial Super Bowl contender.

"I'd like to think I have a little more mental toughness than to let anything become a distraction when I play," he said of possibly playing out the final year of his contract after Friday morning's practice. "Nothing from outside when I walk on this field is going to be a distraction."

Brady, who turns 33 next Tuesday, expressed the desire to play for another 10 seasons. Asked whether he would like to finish his career with New England, he noted that former teammates Troy Brown and Tedy Bruschi both accomplished that and said, "Certainly, that's everybody's goal."

If there is any ill will stemming from the failure to negotiate a long-term contract extension, the MVP of two of the three Super Bowls he helped the Patriots to win from 2001-04 was not about to express it. To the contrary, he was effusive in his praise for head coach Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft.

"It's a privilege to play for coach Belichick, who I've always said is the best coach in the history of the league and Mr. Kraft, I have a great relationship with him," Brady said.

Kraft, in an interview with USA TODAY, reiterated his desire to secure the five-time Pro Bowl passer with what would surely be a massive extension.

"I'm a big fan of Tom Brady. We're lucky to have him," he said. "I feel we have an excellent relationship and it's my desire that he be with us long term."

It is almost unthinkable that New England would allow Brady to leave, given his value to a franchise that was widely regarded as the Team of the Decade to begin the new millennium.

Consider his accomplishments: