By Shalise Manza Young
Journal Sports Writer

Patriots QB Tom Brady just wrapped up an appearance at an Allston, Mass., Boys & Girls Club as part of the One Laptop Per Child program he supports, and was surprisingly candid -- though still a bit guarded -- when answering myriad questions about the left knee.

Most reassuring for New England fans, the 2007 NFL MVP intimated that not only will he be ready for training camp, he could be on the field for mini-camp and passing camp as well.

Asked about training camp and whether he'll be with his teammates, he said, "Bill (Belichick) doesn't like us to forecast, but I think so. I see no reason why I shouldn't be. I wish it was here now."

Brady gave away so much information that he said -- jokingly, but likely with some seriousness -- that Belichick will be lighting into him for his comments.

Brady was at the West End House Boys & Girls Club with OLPC and the Patriots Charitable Foundation presenting some of the 1,000 laptops he has purchased through the program for donation around the world. Some are also headed to Uganda, where one of the quarterback's sisters has been for the last five months.

The 31-year old revealed that he's been dropping back and throwing passes with the same torque he'd use in any practice or game situation, as well as playing golf -- "You wouldn't know I had surgery looking at me," he said.

Several times throughout the interview, conducted inside the gym at the Club, surrounded by children like a Pied Piper and after he tried to throw a football from under one basketball hoop through the opposite one -- he came close, but never got the ball through the net -- Brady mentioned that he's put the injury and surgery behind him. He acknowledged that he'd had a setback due to the post-operative infection he developed, but assured, "everything's progressing just as I expected."

Brady also touched on Matt Cassel, saying the two worked out together on Sunday and calling him a "great friend"; said it was his and Belichick's decision that he wasn't on the field for games because Belichick didn't want him to be a distraction, for instance the cameras training on him anytime there was an incomplete pass by Cassel; and new quarterbacks coach and Brown alum Bill O'Brien: "He's very qualified; very smart. He's a great addition."

Oh, and one other thing for those of you holding out hope: the QB also confirmed that he and girlfriend Giselle Bundchen are not engaged, despite several tabloid reports to the contrary.