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Updated 01/12/2009 04:14 PM

New Yorkers Mourn Giant Loss

By: Roger Clark

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Loading up big black trash bags, members of Big Blue cleared out their lockers at Giants Stadium Monday, a day after a season-ending loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

There were plenty of thoughts of what could have been.

"I'm just frustrated that we weren't able to get it done, just complete disappointment," said Giants tight end Kevin Boss.

The G-Men didn't even score a touchdown in their 23-11 loss to their division rivals.

"We expected to go back to the Super Bowl and win it," said running back Derrick Ward. "To come up short, it's heartbreaking."

"You know, we know we could have been playing next week," said running back Ahmad Bradshaw. "It's just a tough moment."

It was a tough game for quarterback Eli Manning, who completed just 15 of 29 passes and threw two interceptions.

"Good teams that had great seasons come in and don't play their best on a certain day and that's what happens," he said. "That's why in the play-offs, it's all about whose playing great that day, and who can make the plays, and we didn't make them yesterday."

As the team looks to next season, there is still plenty of optimism.

"The nucleus of people is here," said head coach Tom Coughlin. "We've experienced the opportunity to win it all, and off course the disappointment here, and I hope that this group again can come back with greater resolve than ever."

"We're excited about getting back to work, and knowing that next year we have to finish stronger," said Manning.

Pro-Bowl defensive end Justin Tuck said perhaps Sunday's loss can serve a purpose.

"Maybe this loss can light that fire back under us," he said.

If things had gone the way the Giants and their fans had hoped, the team would be hosting the National Football Conference Championship Game in New Jersey next week. But instead, it's going to be awfully quiet around the Meadowlands come Sunday.