And on it goes.
"I hate New Yorkers," said Douglas, who broke in with the Jets. "They're smug. They think New York is the greatest city in the world. They talk about, 'If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.' If that's the case, then why do so many damn people live there? You know what I'm talking about?"
But as for the New Yorkers inside the blue uniforms? And the Philadelphians inside the green ones?
"I've always respected this team," free safety Brian Dawkins said.
And there it is.
Dawkins respects - respects - the Giants. It's like respecting the Soviets, or the East Germans, or the flu.
Maybe they are right.
Maybe rivalries are dead.
But wait.
"Idiot Man" wasn't done talking. Just when it sounded as if he would push himself back from the table, peel off his shirt and reveal a giant tattoo of Frank Gifford on his back, he changed course.
"I'm not cushy with them," Dawkins said, "but I've always respected this team."
And then he explained.
"It's always been a physical battle with this team," he said. "Every once in a while, it's been a blowout, but, for the most part, it's usually some grind-out, close, defensive battle with this team. Since I've been here, this has been, to me, my biggest rivalry game."
Look at the numbers, and restore your faith. When it comes to New York and Philadelphia, something special is on the field.
Since the start of the 2000 baseball season and proceeding though the subsequent NFL, NBA and NHL seasons, Philadelphia teams have played 315 regular-season games against New York teams, or about one every 10 1/2 days.
The Sixers are 20-13 against the Knicks during that time span. The Flyers are 53-39-2 against the Rangers and Islanders. The Eagles are 11-9 against the Giants and Jets. The Phillies are 84-84 against the Mets and Yankees.
"It's the only place I've ever been where they actually chant . . . 'Flyers suck,' " Flyers defenseman Derian Hatcher said. "I don't think we even do that here. Honestly, I think it's fun playing in New York. I always kind of enjoy it when the fans hate you."
While the hatred might not extend to the players on the ice, or in the field, or on the court, the intensity seems to. Nowhere does it seem to be stronger than on the football field and baseball diamond, where the Phillies, Eagles, Mets, Yankees, Giants and Jets have played each other to a virtual deadlock over the last eight-plus seasons.
