"As I said after the game, it was a disappointing end to a lot of good things that happened this season and the players did a good job all year long," said Belichick. 'We played a lot of good football, but we're definitely disappointed about the way it ended. We came so close, but it just didn't work out.
"It takes a lot to get to this point, but we're starting all over in the new '08 season and it's already time to move on. We're already into the offseason and that's just the way it is. So, we'll start moving ahead towards next year."
The first step in moving ahead is taking a step back to see what just occurred.
"The first thing is to go back and look at what happened in the season," said Belichick. "Evaluate our team and our scheme and our players, and then we start moving into the team-building aspect and free agency, the draft, and personnel decisions and the playbook and stuff like that. All the things that we do to prepare for the offseason program, the spring camps, and ultimately the '08 season."
The question is who will be moving forward with Belichick. The Patriots have to address high-profile free agents in cornerback Asante Samuel and wide receiver Randy Moss, and the status of veteran linebackers Tedy Bruschi and Junior Seau, both of whom are contemplating retirement.
"How those players feel now and how they might feel a week from now, or two weeks from now, or a month from now could be entirely different," said Belichick. "Certainly, I've seen that in my career as a coach and I've had feelings after a game that, after a period of time, have shifted a little bit, too, for various reasons.
"I personally wouldn't put too much into anything that happens soon after the end of any season, good or bad. Immediately after a particular game, a lot of times those are emotional decisions and not really good fundamental ones."
There also could be turnover on the coaching staff.
The Giants outgained the Patriots, 338 yards to 274, and New England struggled to get the Giants off the field when it mattered most, as their final scoring drive lasted 12 plays.
