BELICHICK GIVES BRADY CREDIT

Tom Brady actually had something to do with building a dynasty in New England, Patriots coach Bill Belichick confirmed Friday, dousing one potential beef with the quarterback who let the team to six Super Bowl championships.

Asked by a reporter if he would have had the same success without Tom Brady, Belichick said, “Of course not.”

That Belichick was even asked was a tribute to his obstinacy and his well-worn refusal to give simple and obvious answers to simple and obvious questions, routinely brushing them aside with non-responsive filibusters such as, “We’re on to Cincinnati.”

The Belichick-Brady rift has dominated NFL headlines this week as the quarterback returns to New England with the Buccaneers to play against the Patriots for the first time.

On Friday, Belichick did not hesitate to share the credit.

“We’ve talked about that for two decades,” the coach said. “I’ve been on the record dozens of time saying there’s no quarterback I’d rather have than Tom Brady. I still feel that way. I was very lucky to have Tom as the quarterback, and to coach him. He was as good as any coach could ever ask for.”

49ers suffer Secondary shortage

The 49ers could be down two more starting cornerbacks for the game on Sunday against the Seahawks, but hold out hope star tight end George Kittle can play.

Cornerback K’Waun Williams will miss the game with a calf injury and outside cornerback Josh Norman is doubtful with a chest injury. The 49ers already lost their top cornerback, Jason Verrett, to a knee injury.

Kittle got on the field a bit to run at the start of practice in a sign of progress since injuring his calf in last week’s loss to the Packers. He is listed as questionable for the game.

Titans will be without Jones, Brown

Julio Jones and A.J. Brown are among six Titans who won’t play Sunday against the Jets. The team declared both Pro Bowl wide receivers out, along with linebacker Bud Dupree, punter Brett Kern, cornerback Caleb Farley and defensive lineman Larrell Murchison.