HONOLULU -- Michael Strahan can't quite get the sour taste out of his mouth from the New York Giants' controversial playoff loss to the 49ers.

	Strahan

"I don't think you ever get a game like that out of your system," Strahan said in reference to the Giants' 39-38 defeat in an NFC wild-card game. "You can look at it one of two ways: You can get down about it or you can be motivated by it. I think we'll be motivated by it because we should have never put ourselves in that situation."

The Giants led 38-24 late in the third quarter, but allowed 25 straight points in less than 19 minutes. New York lined up for a game-winning field goal in the closing seconds, but a bobbled snap led to a crazy finish in which punter Matt Allen attempted a throw to the end zone. The officials threw a flag against a 49er defender for pass interference, but a Giants offensive lineman was also flagged for illegal man down field, so the penalties were ruled as offsetting and the game ended.

Later in the week, the NFL sent a letter of apology to the Giants explaining that the officials were wrong -- the game can't end on a defensive penalty -- and that the Giants should have been given another down.

"This was not the first (letter we received this year), but the biggest," said Strahan, preparing for his fifth Pro Bowl.

Final days in Philly?
The best defenses are usually built around teams with solid lines and gifted pass rushers. The Eagles might just learn the true value of defensive end Hugh Douglas through his departure this offseason.

Douglas, who has flourished during his five seasons with the Eagles, is scheduled to be a free agent on Feb. 28. Despite Douglas registering at least nine sacks in all but one of his five seasons in Philadelphia, there's a belief the Eagles might allow him to sign elsewhere and fill his spot with a younger player.

"Football is a business. Some teams feel when a player gets older that they just can't get it done anymore," said Douglas, who is 31. "I'm not trying to say Philly feels that way, but I can play."

The Eagles have 16 potential free agents, including linebacker Shawn Barber, but none who have had the impact of Douglas, who recorded 12½ sacks this season.

"It will be devastating to our football team," cornerback Troy Vincent said. "Hugh is one of the core players that we have defensively, one of our team leaders. He's a constant in our locker room and on Sunday."

One of a kind
As Jeremy Shockey works out amongst a group of perennial Pro Bowlers and future Hall of Famers, there's one thing that separates him from his counterparts this week -- he's the only rookie.

"It's a privilege that you can't take for granted because you never know when you'll come back," said the Giants' tight end, who had 74 catches for 894 yards this season.

While several Miami alumni have excelled in recent years, Shockey's success caught a few people off guard.

"I don't think anyone was expecting him to perform like that this season," Packers tight end and former Hurricane teammate Bubba Franks said. "It was fun to watch him."

James C. Black is the assistant NFL editor for ESPN.com