EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Madison Hedgecock had barely started an interview, when New York Giants guard Rich Seubert started giving the fullback grief.

“They didn't want you, HEDGECOCK!” Seubert yelled from about 10 feet away after practice on Wednesday. “They said you weren't good enough to play for the Rams. They said you weren't strong enough to play for St. Louis, HEDGECOCK!”

Sitting on a stool and surrounded by about eight members of the media, Hedgecock grinned, and then did his best not to say too much about Sunday's game against the team that cut him before the start of last season.

The Giants quickly signed the fullback, and the rest is history. He became a starter and was a key piece in their Super Bowl championship season.

This will be his first game against the Rams, and the 27-year-old tried for 10 minutes not to say anything controversal. Some of his responses were that last year was last year, and the decision was something that only the Rams could explain.

Just as the interview seemed to be winding down, a TV crew walked up, turned on their lights and it turned something on in Hedgecock. The bruising blocker stood up and gave reporters a little of what they wanted.

“I definitely had this one on my calendar, being what happened, it didn't work out there,” Hedgecock said. “But I have an opportunity to go out there and compete against my former teammates and that will be a lot of fun.”

Giants halfback Brandon Jacobs said that Hedgecock has said little things this week that leave no doubt that the game against the team “that fired him” has special meaning.

“All I can do is prove myself,” said Hedgecock, who was drafted in the seventh round by the Rams in 2005. “I didn't get an opportunity to prove myself there, so I will have to do it with another team. It is a golden opportunity for me.”

Rams coach Scott Linehan said that cutting Hedgecock was a tough decision last season, noting he did a great job and was a great guy. However, he added that the team had needs at tight end and on special teams and could not keep him.

St. Louis quarterback Marc Bulger was happy Hedgecock landed on his feet, got a Super Bowl ring and showed people what he can do.

“I was a big fan of his, but I think there are a lot of decisions that go into things,” Bulger said. “Whether it is special teams or schematically the way we do things, I have no clue what went into that. I'm just one the guys. I knew he could play in this league and I'll leave it at that.”

Hedgecock is probably one of the most selfless players on the team. While he appeared in all 20 games last year, he never carried the ball once and caught eight passes for 53 yards.

His role is to lead the way for Jacobs, Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw, and he does it without hesitation.

“Someone said to me one day, 'Describe your job,' and I said, 'I block, I catch the ball sometimes, and I run the ball in my dreams,”' Hedgecock said.

In the season opener against the Redskins, Hedgecock had a great block on Washington linebacker London Fletcher that cleared the way for a 24-yard run by Jacobs.

“He (Jacobs) was going to fall over me or run past me,” said Hedgecock, noting he got to cheer for his teammate as he ran past.

Giants defensive end Justin Tuck said Hedgecock is relentless.

“If you beat him on a play, he takes it very personally, regardless of whether he is your teammate or not,” Tuck said. “A lot of people say he has a few screws loose. I don't know. If you play fullback in this league you have to have a few screws loose. He plays like that, he plays with a reckless abandon.”

Hedgecock laughs about his role, and the punishment he takes.

“That's why we are a dying breed,” he said.