Lockout a lifesaver for Tollefson

Dave Tollefson was frustrated by the lockout. He didn't know if he would be a free agent or not, and unlike other big-name players he didn't have a large bankroll to support his family in the event of a long-term layoff.

Looking back, though, the work stoppage over the summer may have been the best thing that ever happened to him.

It has to do with the birth of his second son, Cade Harlan, who was born six weeks prematurely on July 10. Tollefson's wife, Megan, had a difficult pregnancy.

"She had placenta previa [a condition in which the cervix is covered] and hemorrhaged and I had to call 911. It was really scary," he said. "Luckily, I was there. It's kind of a blessing these guys were locked out and I was able to [call]. If she had to get up to call, she could've bled to death. It was really scary. They saved her and the baby. She was in the hospital for about three weeks. Then, she hemorrhaged again. Then we had to do the emergency C-section."

Megan and Cade are doing well, Tollefson said, proudly boasting that his son is 13 ½ pounds. The lockout ended, Tollefson eventually re-signed with the Giants, and he even had his first career start last week.

"Thank God I was locked out," Tollefson said. "You never know. God works in mysterious ways."