Fear?

Yes, fear.

That’s what Michael Strahan is feeling leading into his 14th season with the Giants.

“I feel great about the team, but I’m also scared too, because I feel great about the team and I know we have so much potential and the expectations are so high,” Strahan said yesterday. “Hopefully, it scares everyone into preparing more, to working harder, to doing better, and if that’s the case, we’ll be just fine, there’s no reason to be scared.” The clock is ticking for Strahan, who at 34 is the oldest starter on the Giants and, along with Tiki Barber, remains the face of the franchise, at least until young Eli Manning makes an indelible imprint. The two longstanding veterans are painfully aware how rapidly their football lives are nearing an end and, despite all the individual accolades and achievements, know that victory in the Super Bowl is a glaring void on their impressive resumes.

Heading into Sunday night’s season opener against the Colts, the Giants insist they are serious contenders and Barber goes one step further. In his decade with the Giants, this, he says, is the best team he’s ever been on.

“We’ve had some good teams and some good coaching around here in the past, but the collection of talent we have now has never been this way,” Barber said. “At times, it’s been young talent and unproven talent, but we have a lot of veteran talent on this team, guys who I think are hungry for winning ways. That’s what excites me.” Barber has been trumpeting the Giants’ case for months, while Strahan has kept his thoughts hidden. The fallout from his very public divorce trial and the tabloid frenzy that ensued prompted Strahan to invoke a media boycott that lasted throughout training camp and the entire preseason. With the Colts beckoning and real games on the horizon, Strahan finally broke his silence.

It is no secret that Barber, 31, is leaning toward retirement after this season. Strahan, coming off his seventh Pro Bowl selection and probably a lock to get voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, is older but not looking to go anywhere just yet.

“I know sometimes, I read Tiki saying, ‘This is one last chance for myself and Strahan,’ he lumps me in there,” Strahan said. “You definitely think about your mortality in this game and what you would like to accomplish, but at the same time, I don’t look at this as our only chance. I guarantee, if we are fortunate enough to make the Super Bowl, win the Super Bowl, [No.] 21 will be sitting right there at that locker and I’ll probably be sitting right here in this locker and we’ll be talking about trying to win a second.” Visions of grandeur must start somewhere, and for Strahan and the Giants defense, it starts with stopping Eli’s big brother, Peyton Manning, and the mighty Colts attack.

“I don’t care,” Strahan said.

“That’s Eli’s brother, not my brother, I’m gonna take him out.” And then, the famous Strahan gap-toothed smile. “No, I’m kidding,” he said. “Peyton’s a good friend of mine, but it’s football, if I get a chance to really hit him, I’m gonna really hit him. Eli understands that, because they’re gonna really try to hit Eli, too.” Strahan has been a centerpiece of some quality defenses and he sees no reason this unit cannot dominate. He plans on leading the hit parade, as he’s done for so many years.

“I feel great, I feel like I’m 25,” Strahan said. “As long as I can go out there and make it happen on Sundays and come in and not feel too bad the rest of the week, then I’m fine with playing, I love playing.

Once that becomes a burden, then it’s time to move on. Right now I don’t feel that.”