It's no secret that we had some discussions with them and we just couldn't come to a conclusion on the right compensation.

Talk about a perfect marriage that almost was. The 1990 Giants, on the brink of another Super Bowl title under Bill Parcells, could have landed back-to-back All-Pros at tight end -- beginning with Mark Bavaro (1985-90) and ending with Sharpe, the NFL's all-time receptions leader for tight ends and a dead-lock cinch for Canton someday. Instead, the Giants took USC's Aaron Emanuel at No. 191 and would have to wait 12 years for an impact tight end (Jeremy Shockey).

"The one thing that came out of last year … the players believed in themselves and the idea of team and the sharing of the team concept gave them greater confidence.

"There were people who counted on each other and relied on each other. Our approach will be the same. One meeting, one practice, one day at a time. You do the best you can, try the hardest you can and surround yourself with people with a singleness of purpose."