Belichick fondly recalls time with Giants

Time has changed loyalties, but "fond memories" forever will bind Bill Belichick to New York.

In the midst of ironing out "a few more logistics" as his team prepares to face the Giants in Super Bowl XLVI, the Patriots coach gladly revisited his past with his old organization Tuesday on a conference call.

Although always reticent to disclose the slightest bit of intel or emotion, Belichick said he'll always have a soft spot for Giants ownership and Tom Coughlin.

From 1979-90 Belichick coached the special teams, linebackers and defensive backs and was defensive coordinator for the Giants.

"Those were 12 great years in my life," he said. "I loved every one of them with the Giants; the people that I worked with, where I lived, our community. Two of my kids were born there, so there are a lot of fond memories there, absolutely."

Belichick also spoke glowingly about Coughlin, who was the Giants' wide receivers coach from 1988-90 when Belichick was the defensive coordinator. Twenty-one years ago, they celebrated together when the Giants edged the Bills in Super Bowl XXV.

"I have a lot of respect for Tom. I think he's definitely stood the test of time," Belichick said of his good friend.

SEE PHOTOSFeb. 3, 2008: Giants win Super Bowl XLII

"He's tough, his teams are disciplined. They play with great competitiveness and play smart. They're a good situational football team. They force you to go out there and beat them. They do a lot of things well. That's kind of the way Tom is: Tom is tough, he's very detailed, he has a lot of experience, he's an intense coach, and I think that's reflected in the way his teams play."

But despite those bonds, Belichick will spend the next two weeks devising schemes in an effort to seek revenge against the Giants, who defeated the Patriots, 17-14, in Super Bowl XLII.

And naturally, there was one stroll down memory lane Belichick refused to take. Asked about David Tyree's "Helmet Catch," which set up Plaxico Burress' winning touchdown, Belichick said: "I think we've talked about all that. It was a long time ago. I have a lot of comments on the record after the game and everything else. You can go back and look at all the things that happened then or some other year."

As for this Giants team, Belichick said he's looking forward to what he deems will be "our toughest game."

"We know how good they are," he said, crediting the job the Mara family has done in acquiring personnel and players.

" . . . They've performed well under pressure in critical games. They've played some of their best football when they've had to, when it's counted the most. That's what you have to do at this time of year. If you don't, you're on the outside looking in. They've done that and it's a great credit to their organization, their coaching staff and their team.

"We know this is the best team we've played. This is going to take our best game. And that's the way it should be."