The Giants today welcomed back an old friend, a reliable contributor and a locker room favorite when they re-signed veteran linebacker Chase Blackburn.

Blackburn, who is entering his eighth NFL season, made one of the biggest defensive plays in the Giants' 21-17 victory over New England in Super Bowl XLVI. On the second play of the fourth quarter, he intercepted Tom Brady's pass for tight end Rob Gronkowski at the Giants' eight-yard line – 49 yards from the line of scrimmage.

Blackburn joined the Giants as a rookie free agent a month before training camp began in 2005 and has spent his entire career with the team.

In 2011, Blackburn did not join the team until Nov. 30. He played in the last five regular season games with four starts and started all four postseason games at middle linebacker. Blackburn intercepted an Aaron Rodgers pass in his first game back and finished the regular season with 21 tackles (15 solo). In the postseason, he was the Giants' second-leading tackler with 25 (16 solo).

Blackburn, 28, led or tied for the Giants lead in special teams in six consecutive seasons prior to 2011. He had five special teams tackles in his five games last season.

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