Could this be the week? Jim Fassel thinks maybe so, and so does Dan Campbell. The season-long struggle to incorporate the tight ends into the Giants’ offense has been an exercise in futility, but perhaps a visit to Minnesota for Monday night’s game with the Vikings will end the frustration.

Fassel said Campbell “had a Hall of Fame day” on Thursday and overall “had a pretty darn good week this week.” This could mean something or might be another tease. Campbell this season has three catches for 34 yards but was encouraged by his performance in last week’s 17-10 victory in Arizona. Campbell caught a pass for 11 yards but had two other plays designed for him. It’s a start.

“Some of the routes I’m running now, I really feel I’m part of the route as opposed to just a decoy,” Campbell said. “I can feel like it’s starting to come around a little bit. There’s plays they got in for me where I really feel they’re trying to get me the ball.”

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Expect Tiki Barber to get some kidding for this: He and his twin brother Ronde are featured in the current issue of People magazine. The two share a page along with the heading Sexiest Athletes and are pictured shirtless standing next to each other. How did Barber beat out such noted hunks as Derek Jeter and Mike Piazza? “It’s not all about looks,” Barber joked. “It’s an attitude.”

On a conference call with the Minnesota media, Michael Strahan was told that Vikings coach Dennis Green likened him to Reggie White. Strahan’s response? “Guys like that are unbelievable players. I mean, I’m just a bum up in New Jersey.”