"Amanda was one of my best friends in high school," said DeOssie. "We still talk regularly. I called her the day after we beat Green Bay in the NFC title game. I'll see her this weekend. She's my friend, who just happens to be the daughter of the coach on the other team."

DeOssie, who visited Phillips during the bye week to catch up with old friends, including two-sport coach Leon Modeste, has been in contact with the Big Blue football boss recently

"I've talked to Leon, and he said everyone is excited at Phillips Academy," said DeOssie. "I just got a letter from the head of schools congratulating me and wishing me luck."

King of the hill

Corey Webster is with the Giants, but that isn't causing him to stop soaking in the credit for his alma mater, Louisiana State's national championship win back in early January.

"I'm king of the hill, and nobody can take that away from me," said Webster. "We've got a great opportunity for me. My college won it. And hopefully, we get to have the same success that they had this year."

Just a small-town boy

Patriots receiver Randy Moss noted yesterday that he hasn't been in contact lately with former high school teammate Jason Williams, now of the Miami Heat.

The fact that the two superstars came out of tiny Rand, West Va., is something that Moss proudly touts.

"Where we are from, guys don't make it out," said Moss. "I don't mean make it out of jail or anything like that. I'm talking about athletes in that area trying to go Division 1 or 2 to make it to the professional level. Guys from where we are don't make it. To be able to say we made it, that's a great accomplishment."

Living in a lonely world

Despite a myriad of struggles in the undefeated season, the Ellis Hobbs' media express continues here in Arizona.

Hobbs sounded off about his feelings once the football is thrown his way.

"It's mine," said the Iowa State product. "When the quarterback throws the ball, I feel like he's throwing it to me."

Hobbs picked off one pass this year.

"It might sound arrogant, but I live for moments like this," said Hobbs. "This is why you go through summer camp. This is why you throw up in the summer time."

With Hobbs facing the potential challenges of Amani Toomer and Plaxico Burress, Patriots fans everywhere are hoping coming Sunday that Hobbs' play won't make them nauseous or cause the dry heaves.

Brady health update

Tom Brady started the day by showing his vain side and attacking offensive lineman Logan Mankins' looks - "Logan is ridiculous. And when he goes to Hawaii (for the Pro Bowl) and shaves it, it's going to look terrible ... not that it can look any worse than it looks right now."

From there, it was business as usual as the QB with the tender ankle practiced with the team per usual. His sore appendage was heavily taped.

Officiating crew announced

The National Football League announced its seven-man officiating crew yesterday for Super Bowl XLII.

Mike Carey, an 18-year veteran with 14 games of playoff experience, will be the referee.

Filling out the crew are Tony Michalek at referee, Gary Slaughter at head linesman, line judge Carl Johnson, field judge Boris Cheek, side judge Larry Rose and back judge Scott Helverson.

Official Jim Mello of North Andover worked the NFC title game in Green Bay two weeks ago but will not be part of the crew here.

Odds and ends

In one of the stranger events of the day, surrounding Super Bowl week, Green Bay's Brett Favre was named the FedEx Air NFL Player of the Year over Brady. It was too late in the day to get Brady's take, and don't even bother trying to compare the numbers. It's a Brady blowout. And the presentation is a head-shaker. ...

Giant Zak DeOssie, on the still sizzling trend of tattoos in the NFL, said he's not taking part: "My mom would kill me and kick me out of the house." ... North Andover's DeOssie clarified his position at Patriots camp, refuting Lonie Paxton's claims of forcing the youngster to "get water and clean my locker." DeOssie said, "I was a ball boy. Ball boy, not water boy." ...

Pats safety James Sanders obviously wasn't paying attention on Tuesday when New York's Brandon Jacobs branded the guys who try to tackle him by going low at his legs as cowards. Sanders' strategy: "He can punish you. You have to do what you can to get him down, which is hit him low. He's the size of a defensive lineman running the ball." ... Pats linebacker Mike Vrabel on going for the perfect season: "Right now, the Giants are just as undefeated as we are." ...

The real "LT"? Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes thought he was, that is until he met legendary 1980s-era linebacker Harry Carson. "I shook his hand and introduced myself as LT and he said, 'No, you're not,'" said Tynes. "I forgot I was in New York, not Kansas City. By no means am I the real LT." Now if the NFL could only get LaDainian Tomlinson to drop the LT connotation.

Quote of the day

"We're too young. We're not ready to die."

- Patriot safety Rodney Harrison on the idea of the Giants wearing black suits on the plane out here to represent a funeral for the New England dynasty.