EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The packed blue canvas travel bags were in front of each locker and there seemed to be a sense of relief among the New York Giants after holding their final practice in New Jersey for the Super Bowl.

"It's kind of like the last day of school," punter Jeff Feagles said yesterday.

"We're packing our bags and guys are a little giddy," added the 20-year veteran, who will be playing in his first Super Bowl a week from today when the Giants (13-6) face the New England Patriots(18-0) in Glendale, Ariz.

For the first time since returning to work Thursday, there didn't seem to be any tension as players headed home for 36 hours of down time with their families and friends.

They will be back at Giants Stadium tomorrow for meetings and a flight to Arizona to begin the final week of preparation.

Coach Tom Coughlin seemed to pick up his intensity in practice yesterday, barking at players to keep them focused and reminding them to take care of things like tickets requests and family needs now.

"I think he is fearful," defensive tackle Barry Cofield said. "That's how most coaches are. I don't know what the word I want to use is .... Paranoid! Most coaches are paranoid. They always feel like they have to be prepared for everything, and coach Coughlin is like that, more so than most coaches. He sees the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow and he knows if we do the right things we have a chance of getting there."

PATRIOTS

NEW ENGLAND RESPONDS TO WR BURRESS' BOAST

Plaxico Burress has made some amazing catches.

And this amazing statement:

His Giants may have better receivers than the Patriots' very deep group of Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Donte' Stallworth and Jabar Gaffney.

The response from New England? No laughter, no putdowns, no he-said-what?

Just check out what happens on the field.

"The good thing about the National Football League and I think in life, you have opportunities," Patriots safety Rodney Harrison said, "an opportunity to make sure that comes to light. So we'll see."

Clearly, the wide-receiver advantage belongs to New England.

Moss set an NFL single-season record with 23 touchdown catches, one more than Jerry Rice. Welker tied for the league lead with 112 receptions. Stallworth made catches that gained at least 30 yards in seven of the Patriots' 18 games. And Gaffney scored six touchdowns.

By comparison, the Giants production falls short.

Burress was outstanding with 70 catches for 1,025 yards and 12 touchdowns. Amani Toomer was solid, catching 59 passes for 760 yards and three scores. After that, the numbers fall off.

Burress, though, is very confident, no matter what the numbers say.

"We have guys that can go out and do things just as well or maybe better than some of those guys," he said last week.

Meanwhile, New England nose tackle Vince Wilfork has been fined for the fourth time this season by the NFL, The Boston Globe reported yesterday.

Wilfork was hit with a $5,000 fine for unnecessary roughness for a 15-yard facemask penalty during the first quarter of the Patriots' 21-12 AFC Championship game win over San Diego last Sunday.