Giants general manager Jerry Reese would probably like a do-over. Like the rest of the football world, Reese watched Patriots receiver Chris Hogan explode for nine catches, 180 yards and two touchdowns in New England's 36-17 win over the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday.

Those with keen memories of the Giants' practice squad transactions will remember that Hogan was with Big Blue for 10 days early in the 2011 season. Otherwise, it was a forgettable brief stint for the Wyckoff native.

Reese obviously couldn't have known that Hogan would emerge into Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's favorite target on football's biggest stage five years ago. Hogan played one season of college football at Monmouth after playing lacrosse at Penn State for three years.

Hogan went undrafted in 2011 and bounced around early in his NFL career. He was cut at the end of the 2011 preseason by the 49ers. He was signed to the Giants' practice squad on Sept. 13, 2011 and was cut 10 days later so the team could re-sign quarterback Ryan Perrilloux.

Hogan landed on the Dolphins' practice squad at the end of the 2011 season. He was one of the Dolphins' final cuts at the end of the 2012 preseason and then was cut from their practice squad a week into the season. The enduring memory from Hogan's time with the Dolphins is the "7-Eleven" nickname he earned from teammate Reggie Bush because he was "always open" in training camp.

Hogan finally found a home with the Bills late in the 2012 season. He had 10 catches in 2013 before emerging with 41 catches for 426 yards and four touchdowns in 2014. A solid 2015 season (36 catches for 450 yards and two touchdowns) set Hogan up for free agency.

The Patriots signed Hogan, 28, to a three-year, $12 million contract in March. Not surprisingly, he enjoyed a career-best season with Brady, catching 38 passes for 680 yards and four touchdowns.

Hogan has reached a new level in the postseason. He had four catches for 95 yards in the Patriots' 34-16 win over the Texans in the Divisional Round last weekend before his monster performance on Sunday propelled the Patriots to the Super Bowl.

Meanwhile, Reese and the 30 other general managers are left to curse Bill Belichick and the Patriots for finding yet another diamond in the rough.

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Dan Duggan may be reached at dduggan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DDuggan21. Find our Giants coverage on Facebook.