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Giants' Veterans Want To Forget Tampa Blowout

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By ANWAR S. RICHARDSON, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 3, 2008

GLENDALE, Ariz. - The Super Bowl experience seemed to be greatly exaggerated for New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan and receiver Amani Toomer during the 2000 season when they advanced to play against Baltimore in Super Bowl XXXV in Tampa.

Both enjoyed the plethora of interviews on Media Day. Each had fun during practice that week. Ray Charles performed "America the Beautiful" before the game. The Backstreet Boys sang the national anthem.

Then the game began.

"I felt like there was a whole bunch of hype and a whole bunch of buildup and then all of a sudden we get to the game and it went really wrong," Toomer said.

Toomer did not expect his team to lose, but was really shocked his Giants were dominated in a 34-7 drumming.

It is why both players are hoping for better results when New York plays New England in Super Bowl XLII today.

"I've done everything personally that I feel like I can do - awards, honors - that sort of thing," Strahan said. "The only thing I haven't done is the ultimate thing, which is win a Super Bowl."

The Giants appeared to have a good chance of winning in their previous attempt. New York was inspired by Coach Jim Fassel's guarantee his team was going to make the playoffs after a 7-4 start and consecutive losses against St. Louis (38-24) and Detroit (31-21). The Giants went on to win their next five games, then defeated Philadelphia (20-10) and Minnesota (41-0) in the playoffs before facing Baltimore.

"My worst memory was right after the game, when all the confetti is going off and everyone is celebrating, and you know it is not for you," Toomer said. "That is the worst feeling you can have."

Equally as sickening for Toomer is the seven years it took for New York to get back to the Super Bowl.

New York began this season 0-2 and was fortunate enough to finish 10-6, but few expected the Giants to have a playoff impact as an NFC wild-card team, especially with Eli Manning as their quarterback.

However, New York's 38-35 loss against New England in the regular-season finale might have been the biggest victory for the Giants this season.

Receiver Plaxico Burress said the Giants realized after that game that by just playing hard and not beating themselves they had a good chance to beat anybody.

New York not only competed with Tampa Bay, Dallas and Green Bay during the playoffs, it traveled and defeated each team, taking a 10-1 road record into today's game.

Even though New York has familiarity with New England, what cannot be forgotten is the Giants only left with a moral victory. It is why New York is not expected to fare much better today and could be headed for a repeat Super Bowl embarrassment as New England attempts to finish this season 19-0.

"I believe in this team. I believe they are the reason we are here," Strahan said. "The Patriots are 18-0 and everybody talks about them being a team of destiny and all of those things, but I feel like we have our own destiny, and history can be made for us, too."

History shows this could be the last opportunity Strahan and Toomer have to win a Super Bowl. That is why Strahan videotaped every moment of Super Bowl week to cherish the memories. It also explains why each encouraged their teammates to enjoy every moment, but to remain focused.

The Super Bowl experience can be greatly exaggerated, especially if the confetti is for another team.

"I think we are a lot more focused this year," Toomer said. "We are not as happy to be where we are. Last time, we were just happy to be in the building and be in the Super Bowl. I think this time we are more focused on winning and hopefully that will put us over the edge."

Reporter Anwar S. Richardson can be reached at (813) 259-8425 or arichardson@tampatrib.com.

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