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PHOENIX — Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was puzzled by Plaxico Burress' prediction that the Giants would beat the Patriots 23-17 in Sunday's Super Bowl.

The fact that Burress, a wide receiver, picked the Giants hardly surprised the league's MVP, but the score certainly did.

"We're only going to score 17 points?" Brady said Wednesday morning before chuckling. "OK. Is Plax playing defense?

"I wish he had said 45-42 and gave us a little credit for more points."

Brady did not mind that Plaxico expected to win.

"I know they have confidence. They should have confidence," Brady said. "They are the NFC champions."

Later, Burress was held out of New York's first practice in Arizona. Burress, who has not missed a game, has not practiced for almost the entire season because of a sprained right ankle.

"Hopefully, he'll work tomorrow," coach Tom Coughlin said after a two-hour workout at the Cardinals' training facility.

PHOENIX — Mike Carey will become the first black ref at a Super Bowl on Sunday.

The NFL confirmed Wednesday a report by The Associated Press two weeks ago that Carey, in his 18th season as an NFL official, will head the crew, which also includes two other black officials, line judge Carl Johnson and field judge Boris Cheek.

The rest of the crew: umpire Tony Michalek; head linesman Gary Slaughter; side judge Larry Rose and back judge Scott Helverson. Ken Baker will be the replay assistant.

PHOENIX — Pro golfer Phil Mickelson, who played collegiately at Arizona State, is a big-time sports fan, and he is known for having placed a bet or two.

But he was a bit coy when asked to pick a Super Bowl winner.

"I don't have a pick. I don't plan on going," said Mickelson, who is in town for the FBR Open. "If the Chargers were going to be there, I'd be going."

But no prediction?

"No," he said, adding, "I think it's pretty obvious what's going to happen."

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson withdrew from the Pro Bowl on Wednesday, paving the way for Ravens running back Willis McGahee to receive his first appearance in the game.

McGahee, a second alternate, earned a trip to Hawaii because Tomlinson has a sprained knee. McGahee missed Baltimore's regular-season finale with broken ribs but has sufficiently recovered.