Tyree quip: Cruz is 'like me on steroids'

David Tyree's impromptu visit to the Giants' practice facility Friday conjured up even more comparisons to the team's Super Bowl-winning season four years ago.

But as Tyree -- the retired Giant best known for his "Helmet Catch" in Super Bowl XLII -- addressed the swarm of TV cameras in the locker room, there was one thing on his mind.

Getting to Victor Cruz.

When asked to discuss the second-year receiver's stunning success, Tyree playfully replied: "I've gotten a lot of questions on that . . . Hopefully, that don't slow me down so I can say hello for the first time."

Despite never having met Cruz before Friday, Tyree feels a strong connection with him, given their New Jersey roots and their sudden rise to playoff stardom. But unlike Tyree, Cruz has had several breakout moments -- in just one season.

"He's like me on steroids," joked Tyree, who grew up in Montclair, a short drive from Cruz's hometown of Paterson. "I don't think I've ever seen a season like this before for a receiver in NFL history. Just from the anonymous detail of his life, to coming in and [being third in the NFL] in receiving . . . It's something to be excited about."

So is the Giants' latest playoff run, which begins Sunday against the Falcons in an NFC wild-card game. And though coach Tom Coughlin refuses to be nostalgic, Tyree said he sees several connections between his 2007 team and this one.

"[There are] some moments that make you say 'hmm,' " said Tyree, who plans to attend Sunday's game.

One similarity he cited was his famous catch in the Giants' Super Bowl win over New England and the reception by Jake Ballard (who wears Tyree's old number, 85) in the Giants' Week 9 victory over the Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

"I believe the score when they played Green Bay [38-35] was the same score when we lost to New England," he added. "So there are a lot of cool little markers that you can look at that kind of get you wondering and excited. But more importantly, the New York Giants are playing their best football on into the playoffs."

Tyree said he didn't speak to the team because he didn't want to be a distraction. Friday's visit simply was an opportunity for him to bask in the excitement of postseason play.

"I usually try to stop by a couple times a year, but I haven't been able to do that," the father of six said. "They're focused. And that's right where they need to be . . . I think there's enough excitement going on as far as what they're accomplishing for themselves and where they're trying to go."