TEMPE, Ariz. – When Howard Cross steps on the field today at Sun Devil Stadium, he will come closer to an obscure team record that measures endurance and staying power. When he takes his familiar place at tight end, it will be his 200th game in a Giants uniform, moving him within on game of George Martin’s franchise record of 201 games with Big Blue.

“It’s a pretty cool thing,” Cross said.

It is easy to overlook Cross, considering he has not caught a pass this season and has steadily declined as a pass-catcher since his career-high 31 receptions in 1994. Cross caught only nine passes in 1999 and four last season, and this year has not even seen a pass thrown in his direction.

As always, though, Cross’ main contribution comes as a blocker. He’s inhabited the same locker for all of his 13 seasons, nearly directly across from where Lawrence Taylor once resided. Nowadays, to his right is rookie punter Rodney Williams and to his left is first-year Giants kicker Morten Andersen, who at 41 last week participated in his 300th NFL game.

“I’ll probably appreciate it a lot more when I retire,” said Cross, 34, who will almost assuredly call it quits after this season. “There’s been a lot of faces come and gone. It’s a big accomplishment and I’m very proud of it.”

Perhaps for this occasion the Giants might actually be inclined to throw the ball to Cross to honor his 200th game. He’s not holding his breath. “If it’s tipped at the line of scrimmage and I happen to be close,” Cross wondered, “does that count?”