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AROUND THE LEAGUE

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Associated Press

One day after the Giants’ meltdown, quarterback Kerry Collins disclosed he separated his right shoulder during the third quarter.

“I wasn’t coming out, though,” Collins said Monday.

Collins said Sam Adams, one of the Ravens’ 300-pound plus defensive linemen, fell on him with his “full weight,” causing the injury.

After the game, teammate Michael Strahan walked up to Collins and gave him a hug. It was a thank you from the defensive end for getting the team to the Super Bowl.

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The hug was also Strahan’s way of letting Collins know not to worry about his four interceptions, including one that Duane Starks returned for a touchdown in the Ravens’ victory.

“I went up to him and gave him a hug and said ‘Get back at it next year,’ ” Strahan said. “And I think that’s the great thing about this. It gives us something to shoot for next year. I don’t think we knew what it took to get here before the season.”

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The Giants returned home to East Rutherford, N.J., to the cheers of a handful of fans and tried to keep a disappointing performance in perspective.

Running back Tiki Barber said in the parking lot outside Giants Stadium that it was frustrating to see his team not put forth its best effort.

But he said the team would regroup and learn from failure. “We have a lot to be proud of,” he said.

Other team members didn’t talk to the media after arriving with family at Newark International Airport and taking buses to the Meadowlands.

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A team meeting was scheduled for today.

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Buffalo Bill President and General Manager Tom Donahoe was in Baltimore to interview Marvin Lewis, defensive coordinator of the Ravens, about the Bills’ vacant head coaching job. Donahoe was scheduled to meet with Giant defensive coordinator John Fox today.

Lewis and Fox were not allowed to pursue other job opportunities until their seasons were completed.

Donahoe has already interviewed Tennessee Titan defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.

The Bills, who dismissed Wade Phillips earlier this month, are the only NFL team in need of a head coach after the Browns hired University of Miami coach Butch Davis.

Fox called it “discouraging” that he did not get an opportunity to interview with the Browns.

“The rules do penalize guys that make it to the Super Bowl,” he said.

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Denver’s new football stadium sold its name for a pile of cash that’s a mile high.

Disregarding the wishes of the mayor and many fans to preserve the name simply as “Mile High Stadium,” the new home of the Broncos will be “Invesco Field at Mile High.”

Invesco Funds Group, a financial services company, will pay $120 million for 20 years to have its name on the stadium.

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Taxpayers are responsible for 75% of the burden to finance the $400-million facility, which is being built next door to the old stadium.

The Broncos begin play at their new home this fall.

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