Giants packed and focused on winning Super Bowl

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

January 27, 2008

The packed blue canvas travel bags were in front of each locker and there seemed to be a sense of relief among the Giants after holding their final practice at the Meadowlands for the Super Bowl.

"It's kind of like the last day of school," punter Jeff Feagles said yesterday, looking around the locker room where smiling players joked with one another and conducted another round of interviews.

"We're packing our bags and guys are a little giddy," added the 20-year veteran, who will be playing in his first Super Bowl next Sunday when the Giants face the New England Patriots in Glendale, Ariz.

For the first time since returning to work Thursday, there didn't seem to be any tension as players headed home for 36 hours of down time with their families and friends.

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• Week 1: Thu., Sep. 4 vs. Washington, 7 p.m.
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• Week 4: Bye week
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They will be back at Giants Stadium tomorrow for meetings and a flight to Arizona to begin the final week of preparation.

Defensive tackle Barry Cofield felt a little weird leaving the bubble at Giants Stadium for the last time this season. But it was also a good feeling, knowing what lies ahead.

"Everything is new to me, and probably to almost every guy on this team," Cofield said. "I think that's a good thing."

The one constant was Tom Coughlin, Cofield said. The coach has been intense, worried that his team is looking too far ahead.

Coughlin seemed to pick up his intensity in practice yesterday, barking at players to keep them focused and reminding them to take care of things such as ticket requests and family needs now.

"I think he is fearful," Cofield said. "That's how most coaches are. I don't know what the word I want to use is ... Paranoid! Most coaches are paranoid. They always feel like they have to be prepared for everything, and coach Coughlin is like that, more so than most coaches."

The Giants have a player leadership council, and they constantly have reminded each other that no one remembers who lost the Super Bowl.

"There are going to be a lot of distractions and we are aware of that," Feagles said. "We have to keep them to a minimum and that's where the leaders on this team come in ... It's great we got here. But we want to win."