More on Rich Seubert

As promised in today's Leader-Telegram, here's a few more tidbits on Giants offensive lineman Rich Seubert, a Wisconsin native making his Lambeau Field debut today.

I called Seubert on Thursday night after a family member gave me his number. I really wasn't expecting him to give me an interview considering he'd probably had to answer the same questions over and over again. But he was very friendly and willing to talk.

He said it was a dream to have this be his first game at Lambeau Field.

"This is what you dream about as a kid," he said. "Coming back home, playing for all the marbles. It's great. I wouldn't have it any other way."

Seubert wasn't sure on Thursday how many tickets he'd be able to get his hands on. Players are allotted four tickets each. Some of the Giants younger players probably didn't need all of theirs, and others with family members that weren't too keen on sitting in the freezing temperatures probably had a ticket or two to spare.

"I'll probably get them a gift or something," Seubert said when asked how he'll repay his teammates for their tickets.

Other media reports estimated he'd have between 50 and 60 family members and friends in the stands.

"My parents obviously will be there," he said. "Some aunts and uncles. Friends. There were some people that new better than to ask or got tickets from someone else."

Seubert's story is certainly an inspirational one. Overlooked out of high school, he went to Western Illinois. He started at tight end before moving to tackle his junior season and was all-conference as a senior. He signed with the Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2001 and became a full-time starter in 2002. He started the first six games of 2003 before fracturing his right fibula, tibia and ankle when an opposing player stepped on his leg. He missed all of the 2004 season but returned in 2005 for four games. He was a reserve in 2006 before returning to the starting lineup full time in 2007.

He has the third-longest tenure on the Giants, trailing only Amani Toomer and Michael Strahan.

He's also been around for previous playoffs failures. In 2003, the Giants blew a 24-point third-quarter lead but had a chance to win the game on a 41-yard field goal attempt. The snap was low and wide, and holder Matt Allen threw a desparation pass to Seubert, who was an eligible receiver on the play. Seubert was interfered with by Chike Okeafor, but the officials didn't call a penalty. The Giants were called for an illegal man downfield and lost the game.

They also lost wild card games in 2006 and 2007, but seem to have it rolling this year.

"I think we're all just in it for each other," Seubert said. "Nobody in the locker room really wants to go home."

Seubert will come to Eau Claire in April for a charity trap shoot at the Eau Claire Rod and Gun Club. You can read more about it here.

- John Casper Jr.