"History is written by the victors, and never was that more cruelly illustrated than in 2007. The perfect season, the Patriots' chance at immortality, slipped away in the same instant that ball stuck to the Velcro fingers — and helmet — of Giants receiver David Tyree.

The Patriots exited Super Bowl XLII heartbroken and unfulfilled, a team of great players unable to touch the greatness they felt belonged to them. Their story never was printed, while the Giants received the fairy-tale treatment.

No wonder guard Logan Mankins shakes his head and says, "That game'll be with that team forever.""