Backup battle still up in the air

The good news is the &quot;practice games,&quot; as Patriots coach Bill Belichick called them last night, have come to a conclusion. The bad news may be that the Patriots look like they need more practice to be ready for the regular season.<br /><br />
<p>Practice was the only thing quarterback Tom Brady did this preseason, never taking a snap in a game.</p>
<p>New England's signal-calling savior, who is nursing a sore right foot, sat out again last night, setting the stage for his backups to battle for their NFL existences, although a 19-14 loss to the New York Giants at Giants Stadium cemented the Patriots' first winless preseason since 1990.</p>