The first case involves the Giants, and it closely dovetails the Saints on the timeline. One week after the Saints lost to the 49ers in a divisional playoff game that was preceded by former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams' now-infamous pregame speech to the defense, the Giants beat San Francisco in the NFC championship game.

That conference title game turned on a fumbled punt in overtime, and afterward some Giants special teams players said the turnover was a dividend they actively sought. 49ers backup return man Kyle Williams has suffered concussions -- the injury at the very heart of much of the growing litigation the NFL faces -- and he muffed one punt return, then made the critical fumble.

After the game, Giants rookie linebacker Jacquian Williams said, "the thing is, we knew he had four concussions, so that was our biggest thing, to take him out of the game."

Devin Thomas, who recovered Williams' miscues, echoed that theme.

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"He's had a lot of concussions," Thomas said. "We were just like, 'we've got to put a hit on that guy.' "