1.  Any place they finish above that would be a gold star on Baker's employee file.

2.  Defensive lineman Erik Gardner (knee) was in shoulder pads and shorts for the first time since being injured in the season opener against Boise State.

3.  Defensive lineman Jeremy Staat, now with the Steelers, was a backup.

4.  Defensive tackle Chad Hennings was in on 54 snaps against the Saints, an unusually high number.

5.  Defensive tackle Mark Smith was out because of a severely sprained ankle.

6.  Defensive-line coach John Pate also was a member of Russell's staff.

7.  Defensively and at the plate, it was the first time we hit a real little lull, the whole team.

8.  Defensively it wasn't much better for the Giants.

9.  Defensively, that definitely was one of my better games.

10.  Defensively, the back line of Matthaus, Bixente Lizarazu, Sami Kuffour and Jens Jeremies might be the best in Europe.