Watchdog

Naturally, I didn't feel the personal connection to this Giants team that I felt to some of the teams I covered as a beat writer from 1995-2004.

But I did feel personal satisfaction in getting to congratulate some of the people I knew from those days after SBXLII, from John Mara to the highly regarded p.r. team of Pat Hanlon, Peter John-Baptiste and Avis Roper to the two remaining players I feel most close to: Rich Seubert and Jeff Feagles.

When Seubert saw me, the first thing he said was, "We broke the curse,'' a reference to the team's 0-3 record this season when I am in the house. I informed him I actually was in a Fox trailer in the parking lot during the big finale.

He thanked me for staying away.

I don't need a ring. A playoff share would be sufficient.