Super Bowl 2012 Attendance: Small Crowd At Game, But Festivities Break Records

Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis hosted the smallest Super bowl since 2006 with an attendance figure of just 68,658 when the New York Giants defeated the New England Patriots on Sunday. The attendance at the game ranks this year's contest among the lowest attended of the past 20 years.

However, Lucas Oil Stadium doesn't hold nearly the capacity of Cowboys Stadium, the site of last year's Super Bowl, which saw 103,000+ fans attend the game.

Despite the crowd size at the game, Super Bowl festivities leading up to the game saw a record number of visitors. More than a million visitors stopped by the Super Bowl Village and a record 265,000+ saw the NFL Experience (an indoor interactive exhibit), according to a report (via Boston.com).

The city of Indianapolis and the venue both were praised by attendees, fans and journalists alike. If the numbers work out, Indianapolis could be included in the rotation of Super Bowl sites. The earliest the city could bid on another Super Bowl is for the 2017 season.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl 2012 Ratings: Giants Vs. Patriots Sets Viewership Record

Sunday night's matchup between the New York Giants and New England Patriots established a Super Bowl viewership record with an average of 111.3 million viewers, according to reports from the New York Times' Richard Sandomir and Sports Illustrated's Richard Deitsch.

The game, won 21-17 by the Giants, fielded a perfect storm of ratings -- two big-market teams, two elite quarterbacks, a rematch of Super Bowl XLII, and a close contest that wasn't decided until the final play.

Madonna's haltime show, which actually had a higher rating than the game, also was more-watched: the pop star set a Super Bowl halftime show record with 114 million viewers.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl 2012, Eli Manning Press Conference: No Sibling Rivalry Here

Like father, like son. Like son, like brother. And now, by wininng his second Super Bowl championship on Sunday against the New England Patriots, Eli Manning has surpassed his brother Peyton in title hardware.

Yet as younger brother Eli pointed out during a press conference on Monday, there's no rivalry in the family.

"This isn’t about bragging rights. This is a lot bigger. This is about a team, an organization being named world champions, and that was the ultimate goal. That’s the only thing that’s important, is the team finding a way to get a victory. That’s the only thing I care about and Peyton and I both know that’s what the goal is every year. It’s not about anything else," the younger Manning said.

After Eli's Giants held on for a thrilling 21-17 victory Sunday night that wasn't secure until the final play finished, he was able to spend some time with Peyton.

"I got to be with Peyton a bit and he was proud of me," Eli said. "He was proud of the team. A quarterback like Peyton is, he knows the game well and he asks questions a lot of people won’t ask. Like the touchdown to Victor Cruz, he asked me if I saw the middle linebacker running out there, and I didn’t. He can see there and tell it how it looks. It was ‘single-high’ and he kind of jabbed to my right a little bit before running left and looking up Victor. Under center, you know they’re bringing a blitz. It is tough to see that, but luckily, he never looked back at me and I threw it right off his shoulder and Victor did a good job of concentrating and making the catch. Then he talked about the throw to Manningham. He was mad, he said everybody was talking about how great of a catch it was. He said it was a pretty good throw, also. It’s a brother looking out for me. He was proud of me and happy for me."

For more Giants coverage, be sure to check out SB Nation New York and Big Blue View. For Patriots coverage head over to SB Nation Boston and Pats Pulpit.

Super Bowl 2012, Giants Vs. Patriots: Tom Coughlin Not Retiring, He Reiterates

One day after his team's 21-17 Super Bowl victory against the New England Patriots came down to the last play, New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin reiterated his stance on retirement: it's not coming now, and maybe not for awhile.

During his post-Super Bowl press conference on Monday, Coughlin told reporters he would like to return to the Giants next season and possibly beyond.

Coughlin has now captured a pair of Super Bowl titles with the Giants, doubling the franchise's total from two to four. The 65-year old became the oldest head coach ever to win the Super Bowl on Sunday. Next year, he presumably hopes to break his record. But for now, legacy is the last thing from his mind.

"No, I don’t really think about that stuff, to be honest with you. It’s not about me and this is what we talk about all the time. We’re about team, we’re not about individuals. We’re about the team and what’s in the best interest of our team, and we feel that all our power is generated from team. We’re certainly very cognizant of some of the superior individuals that we have on our team, thank goodness, but it is the team that provides us with our strength, and our ability to perform under pressure, whether it is good or bad, and that’s the way we think," said Coughlin.

For more Giants coverage, be sure to check out SB Nation New York and Big Blue View. For Patriots coverage head over to SB Nation Boston and Pats Pulpit.

Super Bowl 2012: Madonna Does A Higher Rating Than The Game

Madonna is apparently still quite popular. The past sensation out-rated the Super Bowl, as her halftime performance generated a 48.3 rating compared to a 47.8 for the game according to reports from John Ourand.

Despite two very large market teams being involved in the affair, Super Bowl couldn't break its own ratings record which was set just last year by Green Bay and Pittsburgh.

Part of that is undoubtedly the very nice weather that the East has seen this year. With a normally bitter time of year upon us, people are much more likely to stay inside and look forward to the game.

It's truly amazing that Madonna is still as popular as she is. Many people were annoyed that the NFL was bringing in another older superstar to perform the halftime show, but clearly they made the right decision.

This Super Bowl did outdraw the previous match-up between these two teams as the 2007 game did a 43.1 rating.

For more Giants news, be sure to check out SB Nation New York and Big Blue View.

Super Bowl 2012 Records: Eli Manning, Tom Coughlin, Tom Brady Immortalized

Super Bowl 2012: Bill Belichick Keeps Comments Short Following Loss

Bill Belichick has never been known for his verbosity. Following a heartbreaking loss to the New York Giants in the 2012 Super Bowl, he seemed to guard his words even more closely than usual. First, he gave the Giants all due respect in his opening statement.

"First of all, congratulations (New York) Giants," Belichick said. "Won a championship, they're a good football team and they're well coached. They obviously played well tonight. Very competitive football game, they just made a couple more plays then we did. By the way our guys played, fought, fought all year, fought tonight, and we had our chances. We just couldn't quite make enough plays. Giants made a few more than we did. Really isn't too much more to say about. Can't fault the effort of any of our players. They played as hard as they could, we could have just played a tiny bit better. It was obviously a very competitive football game."

After that, Belichick did his best to get off the podium as soon as possible. His thoughts on the safety: "It's not my call." On whether he wanted to let Ahmad Bradshaw into the end zone on the Giants game-winning drive: "Right." On what he could have done better as a coach: "There's a lot of plays out there."

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Nightmare, Part Two: Redemption Game Turns Into Total Disaster

Gethin Coolbaugh is the Regional Editor of SB Nation Boston, your home for everything Boston sports on the SB Nation network. Follow him @GethinCoolbaugh on Twitter.

It was supposed to be the game that earned the New England Patriots some redemption. Tom Brady would walk into The House That (Peyton) Manning Built, a.k.a. Lucas Oil Stadium, and prove once and for all that offense can trash defense on any given day. Brady would do his thing, the Patriots would win by a couple of scores, and revenge would finally be theirs.

There was just one problem. Eli Manning had something to prove, and prove it he did.

Manning's performance wasn't legendary by any means from a statistical standpoint, but he showed the world why he is a No. 1 overall pick. Furthermore, Manning finally ended the discussion once and for all -- he is clutch and, yes, he is elite.

Of course, the Patriots' loss has fans in Boston and New England distraught. Fans feel numb, disgusted, angry, hopeless. Pick your poison, really. That's to be expected when your team makes it this far and crashes so hard.

Yet there was more at stake than just a Super Bowl here. This win would have been the fourth Super Bowl for Bill Belichick and Brady, and it would have put the two in a category unlike any other. One win, and they would've been immortal.

Alas, it wasn't meant to be. Instead of ending the debate of their all-time status, they have created more questions. Sure, both Brady and Belichick are first-ballot Hall of Famers. But again, they had a chance to take that next step, one that so few have the opportunity to make.

They couldn't, and they may have blown their last chance. It's no secret that New England's dynasty is on the decline, and while it may not be officially over, it becomes tougher and tougher for New England to reach this level.

So this one hurts. It hurts badly. But the Giants deserved the way -- they earned it in every way. Congratulations to all of the New York Giants fans out there, and I hope you enjoy your parade. Please be respectful among your own fan base and especially to the fan bases of others. Sports are big in their own right, but humanity is even bigger.

Super Bowl 2012: Patriots Nation Reacts To A Heart Breaking Loss

The New York Giants downed the New England Patriots 21-17 in Super Bowl XLVI. Tom Brady's Hail Mary attempt hit the ground just out of reach of Rob Gronkowski's fingers, and with it hearts across Pats nation broke. For pure, unbridled remorse, head over to the comments section in the fourth quarter open thread at Pats Pulpit. For something slightly more wholesome, here are a few select reactions from the Twittersphere.

Starting with the Patriots players themselves, who obviously weren't too cheerful following the loss.

Supermodel Gisele Bundchen was there to console Brady, her husband, before he had to face the media. By all appearances, she isn't taking the loss too well either.

Joe Posnanski of Sports Illustrated coined a nickname for Ahmad Bradshaw's game-winning touchdown that could become a part of Giants lore for years to come.

Meanwhile, Ryan Hudson of SB Nation summed up how many Patriots are probably feeling right now.

Eric Wilbur of the Boston Globe decided to bow out much less gracefully, taking home troll of the night honors.

The legend is dead, the prince has turned back into a frog, and...well, use whatever other cliché you want.

A performance as bad as Tom Brady's tonight in Super Bowl XLVI deserves a lead just as lame.

Sorry, Tommy Boy, this one's on you. Your hideous performance led to the Giants' 21-17 Super Bowl title win. How embarrassing for your coach, your teammates, and your fans.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog, Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

New York Giants Win Super Bowl XLVI: Twitter Reaction

Super Bowl 2012: Giants Victory Parade Set For Tuesday Feb. 7 In Canyon Of Heroes

New York has decided to give Giants fans a day to let the fact that their team won Super Bowl XLVI sink in before asking them to attend a victory parade.

The Giants' victory parade is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 7, at 11 a.m. ET through the Canyon of Heroes in Manhattan.

The Canyon of Heroes is in the financial district of Manhattan, where the city has held parades to celebrate anything and everything they could think of, from the end of wars to New York sports teams winning championships. Each celebration is marked by a black, granite strip in the sidewalk. The black stripe for this parade will be one of over 200 makers representing parades and celebrations held in the area.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

2012 Super Bowl: New York Giants Post-Game Reactions

Here are some reactions from the 2012 Super Bowl champion New York Giants after Sunday’s 21-17 victory over the New England Patriots. These are all from videos at NFL.com.

Coach Tom Coughlin:

"When we got in at halftime, I said, ‘We can play better than this, guys. We’re better than this.’ We got energized again, we came out with conviction and the rest is history."

Defensive end Justin Tuck:

"I don’t have a word to describe how this team has come together. 7-7, pretty much down and out and figuring out a way to put it all together, and now we’re walking through confetti."

Quarterback Eli Manning:

"Proud of our team … we’ve been through a lot, ups and downs. You go through a stretch where you lose four games, that can cause trouble in a locker room. Our guys stayed confident, we knew we were a good team, we knew we’d get hot again."

Super Bowl 2012 Full Recap: Giants Finish What They Started

Super Bowl 2012: Eli Manning Takes Home MVP Honors

After completing 30-of-40 passes for 296 yards and a touchdown in the 2012 Super Bowl, Eli Manning was named the game's Most Valuable Player. Once Tom Brady's Hail Mary attempt hit the ground in the Giants' end zone, there was no other choice, really. Manning kept drive after drive alive with accurate, methodical passing. He hooked up with Mario Manningham down the left sideline on the Giants game-winning drive for what was, perhaps, the play of the game.

Manning went 5-for-6 on the game-winning drive, which was capped by a 6-yard touchdown run by Ahmad Bradshaw. If the Pats had come away with the victory, there is no doubt that Brady would have taken home his third Super Bowl MVP trophy. He went 27-for-41 for 276 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, and at one point completed a Super Bowl-record 16 straight passes. Instead, Manning takes home his second Super Bowl MVP trophy.

via assets.sbnation.com

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog, Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

2012 Super Bowl Final Score: New York Giants 21, New England Patriots 17

Super Bowl 2012 Score Update: Giants Capitalize On Patriots Mistakes, Take Late 21-17 Lead

Wes Welker dropped what would have been a huge gain on second down for the New England Patriots. Granted, the catch certainly would have been a difficult one. He had to make a quick adjustment towards his back shoulder to get his hands on it. Still, Welker has staked his NFL career on being one of the more sure-handed receiver in the leagues.

The New York Giants knocked down Tom Brady's third-down pass attempt to force a punt. Mario Manningham redeemed himself for failing to stay in bounds on a catch on the Giants last drive, making sure to keep his feet in bounds along the right sideline for a 39-yard gain.

Bradshaw found the end zone on a touchdown run. He tried to stop just short of the end zone in order to run some more time off the clock, but was unable to control his momentum. The Giants went for two on the PAT attempt but couldn't convert.

via assets.sbnation.com

Eli Manning has been the star, however. Should the Giants hold on for the win, he is all but assured to take home Super Bowl MVP honors. For the game, he is 30-for-40 passing for the game, with 296 yards and a touchdown.

via assets.sbnation.com

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl 2012 Score Update: Patriots Still Up 17-15 Midway Through Fourth, Jake Ballard Leaves With Injury

The New York Giants picked off Tom Brady on a deep desperation pass early in the fourth quarter. Brady evaded two would-be sacks on first down from the Pats 43-yard line and tried to bomb it to Rob Gronkowski, but linebacker Chase Blackburn was able to get in front of the slightly underthrown pass and haul it in.

The Giants took over on their own 7-yard line, and marched down the field on some accurate, methodical passing from Eli Manning. Unfortunately, the drive stalled on the Pats 43-yard line after Mario Manningham was unable to keep both feet in bounds on a teardrop pass from Manning. The play would have put the Giants in great field goal position, at the very least. Instead, they had to settle for another punt.

The Giants are down to just Bear Pascoe at tight end, after Travis Beckum injured his ACL in the first quarter and Jake Ballard went down with another knee injury in the fourth. Judging by the .gif, don't expect him to Ballard to return any time soon.

via assets.sbnation.com

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl 2012 Score Update: Giants March Down To The 10, But Settle For Field Goal

The New York Giants appeared poised to retake the lead, marching down to the New England Patriots 10-yard line on eight plays after starting on their own 48-yard line. Eli Manning was sacked on third down, however, forcing New York to settle for another Lawrence Tynes field goal. Approaching the end of the third quarter, New England still leads 17-15.

The Patriots survived a scare on their previous possession. Justin Tuck sacked Tom Brady on third down to force a punt, giving the ball back to the Giants. Brady landed on his left shoulder, and backup quarterback Brian Hoyer began warming up on the sideline. He was quickly stopped however, and now it appears that Brady is going to be okay.

via assets.sbnation.com

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl 2012 Score Update: Giants Respond With Field Goal, Down 17-12 In The Third

The New York Giants responded to the New England Patriots with a scoring drive of their own. After starting on their own 35-yard line, Eli Manning led the Giants 45 yards on nine plays to the 20-yard line. Manning tried to hit Hakeem Nicks on a third down pass, and Nicks may have landed in bounds if not for a nasty hit by Patrick Chung.

via assets.sbnation.com

Lawrence Tynes snuck the 37-yard field goal inside the left upright to make the score 17-12. The Pats were forced to punt on their next drive. The Giants had a slight scare when Jason Pierre-Paul left the game with an apparent head injury right before the commercial. He came back in on the next play, however, and appears to be okay.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl 2012 Halftime Show Review: Madonna Performs At Halftime

A review of Madonna's performance at Super Bowl 46.

Super Bowl 2012 Score Update: Patriots Take Opening Possession Down The Field For TD

The New England Patriots wasted no time extending their lead, marching 79 yards down the field for the touchdown. Tom Brady found Aaron Hernandez wide open in the middle of the field from the 12-yard line for the score. He complete his four other attempts on the drive to set a Super Bowl record with 16 straight completions, passing Joe Montana.

Julian Edelman took the kickoff for the Pats, and was taken down at the 21-yard line. Ochocinco caught his first pass of the game on the Pats first offensive play down the left sideline for a 19-yard gain. From there, the Patriots running game took over. BenJarvus Green-Ellis exploded up the right for a 17-yard gain. He also picked up a first down on the ground to the Giants 20-yard line.

Brady is now 20-for-23 with two touchdowns on the game. It's safe to say at this point that he is the favorite for MVP honors. The Pats lead the Giants 17-9 midway through the third quarter.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl 2012 Score Update: Tom Brady, New England Patriots Lead New York Giants 10-9 At The Half

The New England Patriots started the second quarter trailing the New York Giants 9-0 in Super Bowl XLVI, but in good position to put some points on the board and get back within a single score.

Unfortunately, though, they went three-and-out from the Giants' 17-yard line, so they had to settle for a Stephen Gostowski field goal to make the score 9-3, Giants.

The Giants were able to get back into Patriots' territory on their next drive, but ultimately had to punt after failing to pick up 15 yards following an illegal substitution penalty that set them back. Weatherford's punt landed inside the five, but took an unfavorable bounce into the end zone for a touchback.

The Patriots and Giants traded punts on their next possessions, before the Pats started one of the longer drives in Super Bowl history. Beginning at their own four-yard line after a false start, New England went 96 yards in 14 plays to take a 10-9 lead. On the drive, Brady was a vintage 10-for-10 passing, the last completion being a short touchdown pass to Danny Woodhead.

In the first half, Brady was 15-for-18, with 147 yards and that go-ahead touchdown pass. Eli Manning was 13-for-17, 120 yards, and a touchdown.

The Patriots will receive in the second half.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpitas well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub

2012 Super Bowl: Travis Beckum Out With Torn ACL For New York Giants

The New York Giants suffered a major blow in the first half of Super Bowl XLVI against the New England Patriots when one of their tight ends, Travis Beckum, went down with an apparent right knee injury. Beckum needed to be helped to the sidelines by a couple of trainers and then carted to the locker room from there.

It wasn't very long thereafter it was determined that his injury was serious and he would definitely not be able to return to the game:

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpitas well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub

Super Bowl 2012 Score Update: New York Giants Have 9-0 Lead On New England Patriots After First Quarter

Through the first quarter of Super Bowl XLVI , the New York Giants are picking up where they left off in their last Super Bowl -- beating the New England Patriots.

The Giants received first after the Patriots won the toss and deferred. Starting on their own 35-yard line, Eli Manning went 4-for-4 on the opening drive and got the Giants into New England territory, but a sack on 3rd-and-13 stalled the drive at the NE 42-yard line.

Giants punter Steve Weatherford pinned the Patriots inside the ten yard line with a 36-yard punt, which, bizarre enough, led to the first points of the game. On the Patriots' very first play Tom Brady dropped back to throw, but was met with a heavy Giants' pass rush and forced to get rid of the ball in a hurry. Brady's throw was deep over the middle, but no Patriots' receiver was in the vicinity, so it drew a flag for intentional grounding. Brady was in the end zone when the throw was made, so by rule it's a safety, and gave the Giants a 2-0 lead.

After the Giants received the free kick, they went marching down the field, a big chunk of yards coming from a 24 yard run by Ahmad Bradshaw. On 3rd-and-3 at the NE 11-yard line, Victor Cruz lost a fumble after picking up a first down, but New England was flagged for too many men on the field, not only giving the ball back to New York, but also giving them a fresh set of downs inside the 10. Two plays later, Manning hit Cruz for a touchdown.

It didn't take long for the Patriots to start responding to the early 9-0 hole, though; three completions and 41 yards from Tom Brady, the Patrios will have it at the Giants' 17-yard line when the second quarter resumes.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub

Super Bowl XLVI Score Update: Giants On The Board First With A Safety

The New York Giants got on the board first in Super Bowl XLVI by scoring two points on a safety. After the Giants were stopped on their first drive down the field, punter Steve Weatherford was able to pin the Patriots deep back in their own zone. Tom Brady and the Patriots offense took over at the six-yard line. On the first play, Brady faked a hand off to BenJarvus Green-Ellis and then dropped back into the end zone looking for a receiver. He couldn't find one and just as Justin Tuck hit him, Brady threw a pass deep to nobody.

The referees talked about it and threw a flag for intentional grounding and since Brady was in the end zone, it resulted in a safety.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl 2012: Believe It Or Not, Tickets Are Available

With just two hours until kickoff, there are still more than 400 tickets available for Super Bowl XLVI between the New York Giants and New England Patriots.

Considering the economy and face-value price of the tickets, that shouldn't come as a total shock. The Super Bowl is often an automatic sellout with big corporations buying up bug chunks, but with a cold climate city and the country's financial struggles the ticket market is still active.

If you live close and want to make a last-second purchase, the options are out there. A great place to go is tiqiq.com where seats are still being sold.

It's a little surprising with the New York and New England markets that fans haven't bought up all the excess tickets with Indianapolis being a reasonable drive away.

The capacity of Lucas Oil Stadium is 67,000, so it's not an overly spacious stadium by previous Super Bowl standards. Regardless, it should be a loud atmosphere with the roof being closed tonight.

2012 Super Bowl, New England Patriots Inactives: Rob Gronkowski Will Play

The New England Patriots' inactives list is out and, as expected, star tight end Rob Gronkowski's name is not apart of it. He is active and will play despite missing most of practice for the past two weeks with a high ankle sprain.

It still remains to be seen how effective Gronkowski can be with a typically debilitating injury, but an injured Gronkowski on the field is probably better than one that is not.

Here is the full inactives list for the Patriots courtesy of their official Twitter feed:

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl 2012: New York Giants Inactives

There were no surprises among the inactive players announced by the New York Giants for today’s Super Bowl XLVI meeting with the New England Patriots. That means that running back Ahmad Bradshaw, as expected, will be in the lineup for New York this evening.

The inactive players are as follows:

Ramses Barden (WR)
Da’Rel Scott (RB)
Mark Herzlich (LB)
Jim Cordle (OL)
Justin Trattou (DE)
Jimmy Kennedy (DT)
James Brewer (OL)

Herzlich, the cancer survivor from Boston College, has not played since suffering a severe ankle injury against the New Orleans Saints.

In case you do not understand the ‘inactive’ designation, here is how it works. NFL teams are allowed to carry 53 active players on their rosters. Only 46 of those are allowed to dress and play in the actual games, however. Thus, prior to each game teams have to designate seven players who will not see action in that day’s game.

Super Bowl 2012: The New England Patriots Are Already Being Crowned

As you may have read by now, the New York Giants website posted a page celebrating the team as Super Bowl champions. Well, two can play at that game.

During the Celtics/Grizzlies basketball game this afternoon, Dick's Sporting Goods accidentally ran a commercial advertising New England Patriots championship gear. It only appeared twice before being taken off the air quickly.

This will be just another subplot to a game that couldn't be more intriguing on so many levels. While the Patriots had absolutely no control over the mistake, it's hard to imagine Giants fans letting it go without some attention.

Conversely, it's the first piece of media coming out to trumpet New England after the website gaffe by New York. It's hardly going to affect the players but it'll be tossed around in the media with only two hours until kickoff.

What a long, strange road it has been for both squads and cities this week leading up to Super Bowl XLIV.

2012 Super Bowl: Tom Coughlin's Final Message To Giants

As the New York Giants are set to take on the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI, head coach Tom Coughlin will deliver the same message to his team before they take the field as the one he gave them before the regular season: finish [via Giants.com]:

"It was the first thing we hit them with," Coughlin said, "and it’ll be the last thing they hear from us before they take the field."

Coughlin has hammered his point home all season and he’s not going to let up now that the Giants are about to play for another championship. He was not happy with how the Giants finished games in 2009 and 2010 or the seasons as whole. From the day training camp opened in July, he has spoken of the importance of finishing strong. He talked about it again Friday in his final press conference before the Giants take on the New England Patriots on Sunday.

According to Giants beat writer Patricia Traina, Coughlin ran a short highlight video for his team last night set to "In The Air Tonight" by Phil Collins and addressed the team for several minutes, speaking about how teams that win championships love each other while referencing Coach Wooden's pyramid of success on which "Love" rested at the top. But the overall theme? Finish.

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog, Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl 2012: The New York Giants Place In History With A Win

Eli Manning and Tom Coughlin have taken more than their share of slings and arrows from the fans and media alike. It seems as though every year Coughlin has been on the hot seat and questions about Manning's ability fill the Gotham airwaves.

What a difference a year makes.

As Super Sunday approaches once more, Manning says he's not worried about his legacy.

"You don't think about that as a player," Manning said. "You concentrate on the opponent and trying to get ready for them.

With a win against the vaunted New England Patriots, Coughlin and Manning would take their place in history as one of the best duos in NFL history. In the Super Bowl era, they would become only the 10th such combination to win multiple championships (excluding Phil Simms/Bill Parcells).

Consider this; out of the 18 men who currently make up that group, 14 are either Hall of Fame members or future locks (Brady and Belichick). If Tom Coughlin gets his second Lombardi Trophy, he deserves a bust in Canton. Considering his work in Jacksonville that precluded all of his success in New York, he would be a very strong candidate.

Manning would also be making major strides towards that accolade. Only one quarterback who started and won multiple Super Bowls isn't in the Hall of Fame (Jim Plunkett). With Manning's recent regular season success, he might get the nod over someone like Plunkett who had a journeyman career until finishing up in Oakland/ Los Angeles.

Again though, Manning is just looking towards tonight.

"You try to keep your mind focused on the job and what style of football it's going to take to win this game. If you get concerned with other things, it takes your focus off what your job has to be. That's the mind-set of the players and the coaches - just trying to get ready to play your best football."

Super Bowl Predictions: Twitter Picking Giants Over Patriots

Super Bowl 2012 is less than three hours away from kick off, and fans, celebrities and experts are giving their predictions via Twitter. The consensus? The New York Giants will beat the New England Patriots in the NFL's biggest game for the second time in five years.

Now, if you don't want to go on Twitter to look through all the predictions for the Giants, well, you're in luck as SB Nation New York is going to provide you some. Here you go:

ESPN NFL Live Host Trey Wingo (@wingoz):

"27-24. Every matchup favors the Giants, so of course I’m going with the Patriots." - @wingoz #ESPNSBPredictions

SI.com's College Basketball Expert, Andy Glockner (@AndyGlockner):

"OK, I've talked the talk all week, so here's my meaningless Super Bowl prediction: Giants 30, Patriots 20"

NY Post's New York Knicks writer, Marc Berman (@NYPost_Berman):

"Score prediction contest on from Beantown. #Knicks 97, #Celtics 92. That precedes Giants 31, #Patriots 24. SB pick is money. #retweetwinner."

Philadelphia Eagles running back, LeSean McCoy via @ESPN_NFCEast:

"LeSean McCoy: 'I really want the Patriots to win, but I feel like the Giants are probably going to win.'"

From Neil Best of New York Newsday (@sportswatch):

"ESPN sent SB predictions from 34 on-air personalities. Seventeen picked Giants. Seventeen picked Patriots."

YES Personality and New York Yankees play-by-play announcer, Michael Kayy (@RealMichaelKay):

"For all those who have asked: giants 20, new england 16. For those who have not, please disregard."

New York Newsday Columnist and Pro Football Hall of Fame Voter, Bob Glauber (@BobGlauber):

"Super Bowl prediction: Giants 27, Patriots 20. #sb46"

Host of Piers Morgan Tonight, Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan):

"My eagerly-awaited #SuperBowl predictions: Giants to win by 10pts. Gisele to kiss Tom Brady live on air. Madonna to fall over."

For more on the Patriots and their Super Bowl run, check out SB Nation's Patriots blog,Pats Pulpit as well as SB Nation Boston. For more on the Giants and their Super Bowl appearance, visit Giants blog Big Blue View and SB Nation New York. For all news and information regarding Super Bowl XLVI, please stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated Super Bowl hub.

Super Bowl 2012: Chris Canty Believes In The New York Giants

Usually someone stirs the pot before the Super Bowl with a comment on media day. This year, New York Giants defensive lineman Chris Canty took to twitter in order to make his fearless prediction.

As reported by WEEI, the hulking defensive lineman was responding to a tweet by Jason Romano asking for Super Bowl predictions. Canty wasn't about to become shy.

Giants 28, Patriots 17. Apparently Canty feels very confident in his team's chances, and why not? The Giants have been on an absolute roll since beating their cross-town rivals on Christmas Eve.

Canty did talk earlier in the week, making statements about when the parade will be in New York after the Super Bowl.

With the two teams having obvious and extended history, it's hard to imagine any bulletin board material being needed to get the juices flowing. Canty's statement just further shows the confidence New York has been exuding all week.

All of it will be put to the test very soon.

2012 Super Bowl: Giants Players Attempt Victor Cruz Salsa Dance

New York Giants want to see some dancing during the Super Bowl. And no, I don't mean during Madonna's halftime show.

I mean the Victor Cruz TD Salsa Dance:

Cruz doesn't have to be the only one doing the salsa on Sunday, however. Many other Giants players tried their best to emulate the salsa master and prove they're worthy of a solo if they score a touchdown against the New England Patriots:

Let's decide who's got the right to shake their moneymaker and who needs to stick to just handing the ball over.

Fullback Henry Hynoski (No. 45) better leave the salsa, and any dancing for that matter, to the experts.

Linebacker Spencer Paysinger (No. 55) actually has the mechanics down, but we'd like to see a little more soul, a little more oomph in those gyrations.

What wide receiver Isiah Stanback ( no. 18) lacks in technique, he more than makes up for with excitability and smile-ability. He's allowed.

Guard Mitch Petrus ( No. 62). No.

Safety Tyler Sash (No. 39) appears to be confused as he seems to be skiing and not dancing the salsa. We'll ask for a redo before making a final decision.

Defensive tackle Rocky Bernard (#95) could make the big-man salsa work but he's gonna have to stop making that "I feel something squishy" face while doing it. Not sexy, Rocky.

Tackle James Brewer (#79) is allowed to attempt the salsa so long as he hums his own soundtrack ("dum-dum-dum-da-dum-dum") while doing it.

See Big Blue View for more discussion and analysis of the Giants. For everything about the 2012 Super Bowl, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream.

2012 Super Bowl: New York Giants Radio Broadcast Information

In many corners of the U.S. life comes grinding to a halt on Super Bowl Sunday as billions of people stop to party, and to watch the game. Some, however, will still have to work or will otherwise find themselves in places where watching the 2012 Super Bowl meeting between the New York Giants and New England Patriots won't be possible.

SB Nation New York offers those of you who will find yourselves in that predicament a way to still tune in to the game. Here is all the radio broadcast information you will need to listen to the game.

The Giants flagship radio station -- WFAN 660 AM -- will be broadcasting the game in the Tri-State area. Bob Papa will have the call and Carl Banks will have the analysis, with Howard Cross handling sideline reporting duties.

Nationally, Super Bowl XLVI will also be broadcast across the nation by Westwood One with Kevin Harlan on play-by-play, Boomer Esiason as the analyst, Mark Malone doing the NFC sideline reporting, James Lofton doing the AFC sideline reporting.

Super Bowl XLVI will be broadcast in Spanish by Univision. Rafael Hernandez Brito will call the play-by-play, Eduardo Martell will serve as the analyst and Joaquin Duro will be the sideline reporter.

Below, from Giants.com, is a complete list of Giants radio affiliates. Outside the Tri-State area you can likely find the game on one of these stations.

Ahmad Bradshaw Injury: Coughlin Says, 'He'll Be Ready'

The New York Giants inactive list for the 2012 Super Bowl is hours away form being posted, but it seems as running back Ahmad Bradshaw will be ready to go against the New England Patriots Sunday (6:30 p.m. ET on NBC). According to Boston's WEEI, Giants head coach Tom Coughlin said to the media Friday that "(Bradshaw will be ready."

"He got in two good days of work prior to this," Coughlin said. "He’s prepared."

Bradshaw did not practice Friday after practicing both Wednesday and Thursday. However, that was the plan going into the week, as Bradshaw did want to rest the ankle a bit before the NFL's biggest game of the year.

The NFL will release the Super Bowl's complete inactive list about an 1 1/2 hour before schedule kick off.

See Big Blue View for more discussion and analysis of the Giants. For everything about the 2012 Super Bowl, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream.G

2012 Super Bowl: How The Giants And Patriots Got Here

Here is a quick look at how the New York Giants and New England Patriots got to the 2012 Super Bowl.

The Giants have won five straight games, a streak that started with regular-season victories over the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys to give New York the NFC East crown. In the playoffs the Giants have vanquished the Atlanta Falcons, defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers and NFC West champion San Francisco 49ers. Below is a look at the Giants' compete 2011-2012 schedule.

The Patriots have won 10 straight games, with their last loss being the 24-20 loss to the Giants in Week 9. New England won the AFC East championship, and has defeated the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens in the playoffs.

Below is a look at the entire playoff bracket.

Super Bowl Recipes: Spicy Party Meatballs

The Super Bowl is all about three things. Football, commercials and food. Lots and lots of food.

We've covered bacon in great detail here and here so how bout we make sure our bases are all covered on the meatball front?

Spicy Party Meatballs

There are literally three ingredients in this crock pot recipe, and when told the details most people will be skeptical that the meatballs will be edible. The three ingredients:

1. Grape jelly
2. Chili sauce
   
3. Frozen meatballs

Use equal parts jelly and chili sauce. Substituting cocktail sauce for chili sauce is okay, but no other jelly but grape will do. Mix the jelly and chili sauce together in the crock pot and heat on low for a few hours, until done.

While it may not sound appealing to combine grape jelly and chili sauce, the sweet and sour combination works, especially as a last minute, zero-effort Super Bowl food choice. A suggestion: stick with the name "Party Meatballs" and let the flavor do the talking.

For more, check out our Super Bowl Recipes StoryStream. Also make sure you check out Big Blue View's Super Bowl Eats.

Super Bowl 2012: Larry Izzo Played For Patriots In 2008, Coaches For Giants Now

Larry Izzo is an a very awkward spot on this Super Bowl Sunday. Izzo played for the New England Patriots when they were beaten by the Giants in Super Bowl XLII in 2008. He is an assistant special teams coach with the Giants today as they face New England in Super Bowl XLVI.

Here is Izzo’s memory of the loss to the Giants:

“I would say that was a low moment as a player,” said Izzo, who spent eight of his 14-year career with the Patriots. “You’re there and there was a lot on the line, big picture, and we didn’t get it done. We got outplayed. Whenever you lose it sucks. Multiply that times a million and that’s like losing the Super Bowl. That’s about all I can say about that. It was a great game and all the credit goes to this team right here (the Giants) because they beat us that day.”

Super Bowl 2012 News: Tiquan Underwood Reponds To Being Released Via Twitter

Less than 24 hours before Tiquan Underwood was suppose to play in his first career Super Bowl, the New England Patriots wide receiver was released Saturday to make room for defensive end Alex Silvestro. Well, shortly after his release, Underwood, who's a Rutgers football alum, took to Twitter to address his depressing news.

"This Is Nothing But MOTIVATION....," was Underwood's first response.

"I Been Thru A LOT...But There Are Ppl In This World w/ More Serious Problems So I Cant Hang The Head....Thank You Lord."

"Good Luck To The New Enland Organization, The Coaches, & All My Teammates... #PatsNation"

"THANK YOU To Everyone Supporting/Wishing Me Well (Fam,Friends,Ppl Who Dont Kno Me Personally) To Those Happy About What Happen...God Bless U."

Good news for Underwood is that he will get a share of the Patriots Super Bowl winnings and get a ring if they're victorious.

Underwood, played in just six games for the Patriots this season. In those games, Underwood snagged three catches for 30 yards, including a 13-yard reception against the Denver Broncos in the Patriots' Divisional-round victory.

See Big Blue View for more discussion and analysis of the Giants. For everything about the 2012 Super Bowl, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream.

2012 Super Bowl Prop Bets: Coin Toss, Kick Off, MVP Award, Eli Manning, Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks

The Super Bowl prop bets are all but set in stone, and one can not imagine the kind of bets a degenerate gambler can place during Sunday's contest between the New York Giants and New England Patriots (6:30 p.m. ET on NBC). According to the sports betting website Bovada, a sports fan can bet on the simple things (who will win the coin toss?) or very outlandish things (how many times will Peyton Manning be mentioned during the TV broadcast?)

Currently, Giants' quarterback Eli Manning has the second-best odds to win the game's MVP award at 9-4, while Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is the odds-on favorite at 7-5.

Surprisingly, three Patriots -- tight end Rob Gronkowski (6-1) and Aaron Hernandez (7-1) and running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis (15-2) -- have the three-best odds to score the Super Bowl's first touchdown. meanwhile, Giants wide receivers Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks and running back Ahmad Bradshaw have odds of 8-1.

As for the outlandish? Well, if you'd like to bet on how many times Eli Mannings' brother, Petyon Manning, will be shown on TV, you can. The over-under is set at 3 1.2-times with a money-line payout of (-135) for the over and (-105) for the under.

For a full list of Super Bowl prop bets click here.

For more on prop bets and Super Bowl odds, check out this SB Nation New York StoryStream. See Big Blue View for more discussion and analysis of the Giants. For everything about the 2012 Super Bowl, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream.

Super Bowl 2012 Odds And Line: Giants Enter As Three-Point Underdogs Against Patriots

For the second time in five years, the New York Giants will enter the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots as the underdog. According to the Bovada website, the Giants enter the game against the Patriots as 3-point underdogs with the over-under set at 53 1/2 points.

In 2008, the Giants entered Super Bowl 42 as 12-point underdogs and pulled off the huge upset by defeating the Patriots, 17-14.

However, if betting the line just doesn't do it for you, well, no worries there, as Bovada has hundreds of different prop bets like: Who will the Giants defer the kick off? Who will be the game's MVP award? What kind of outfit will halftime show performer, Madonna, wear? Over-under of how many times NBC shows Peyton Manning or Indianapolis Colts' owner Jim Irsay.

For a full list of Super Bowl odds, betting line and or prop bets just visit Bovada.

See Big Blue View for more discussion and analysis of the Giants. For everything about the 2012 Super Bowl, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream.

2012 Super Bowl: New York Giants Vs. New England Patriots Primer

The New York Giants and New England Patriots meet Sunday in the 2012 Super Bowl at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN.

Super Bowl 2012 Start Time, TV Schedule, Live Stream And More

Super Bowl 2012 is less than 12 hours away! The New York Giants will take on the New England Patriots for the second time in five years in the NFL's biggest game, which will be played at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN (6:30 p.m. ET on NBC).

The contest will feature two of the elite NFL organizations that are each searching for their fourth Super Bowl title and trying to gain ground on the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have six overall.

Location: Lucus Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Pregame TV start: 2 p.m. ET on NBC
Announcers: Al Michaels (play-by-play), Cris Collinsworth (color), Michele Tafoya (sideline)
Kick off time: 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC
Live Stream: NBC.com (click the link)
National anthem singer: Kelly Clarkson
Halftime show performer: Madonna

See Big Blue View for more discussion and analysis of the Giants. For everything about the 2012 Super Bowl, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream.

NBC.com To Provide Super Bowl Live Streaming Of Giants Vs. Patriots Online

If you're a New York Giants fan who's somehow stuck at work on Super Bowl Sunday, and are trying to find a legal live stream that will allow you to watch the G-Men defeat the New England Patriots in the NFL's biggest game for the second time in five years, well, you're in luck. NBC, the company that is broadcasting the Super Bowl, is live streaming all of its Super Bowl coverage beginning at 2 p.m. ET.

According to the NBC website, there will be exclusive online-only camera angles, in-game highlights, exclusive sideline reporting from reporter Michele Tafoya, in-game chat with Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, live-in game tweets by Jimmy Fallon and Super Bowl commercials available on-demand.

So, if you'd like a legal live stream of Super Bowl 2012 just click this link.

See Big Blue View for more discussion and analysis of the Giants. For everything about the 2012 Super Bowl, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream.

Super Bowl Winners: Giants, Patriots Are Elite Champions

Super Bowl 2012: Giants' Website Briefly Claims They're 'Champions!'

The New York Giants and their head coach Tom Coughlin didn't want to give the New England Patriots any bulletin-board material before for Sunday's Super Bowl 2012. The good news for Coughlin, none of his players did, however, the organization might have slipped up a bit.

Briefly on Saturday, the Giants' official website claimed that their team were Super Bowl champions!

via assets.sbnation.com

The flub is about the same as The Miami Herald proclaiming the NBA's Miami Heat World Champions in their advertising section. The Heat lost the championship to the Dallas Mavericks in six games. Oops.

Will this really provide Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick with extra fuel? Probably not. They have other things to worry about, like Victory Cruz and Osi Umenyiora

See Big Blue View for more discussion and analysis of the Giants. For everything about the 2012 Super Bowl, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream.

Super Bowl 2012: Rutgers Football Alum, Tiquan Underwood, Released By Patriots Night Before Championship Game

New England Patriots wide receiver Tiquan Underwood, a alum of the Rutgers football program, has been released by the AFC Champions less than 24 hours before the kick off to Super Bowl 2012. The Patriots, who play the New York Giants in Super Bowl 46 (6:30 p.m. ET on NBC), let go Underwood to allow for the promotion of defensive end Alex Silvestro, reports the Boston Herald Patriots' blog.

"I am told there were not disciplinary reasons for the move," wrote the blog. "Underwood did not do anything wrong, and I expect him to be back next year. But perhaps they wanted another defensive linemen on the field."

The blog also said that this almost guarantees that Patriots' wide receiver Chad Ochocino will be on the active roster.

Underwood, who played at Rutgers from '05-08 and was drafted in the seventh round by the Jacksonville Jaguars, played in just six games for the Patriots this season. In those games, Underwood snagged three catches for 30 yards, including a 13-yard reception against the Denver Broncos in the Patriots' Divisional-round victory.

See Big Blue View for more discussion and analysis of the Giants. For everything about the 2012 Super Bowl, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream.

2012 Super Bowl: New England Patriots Hold Final Walk-Through

INDIANAPOLIS – Bill Belichick and Tom Brady were the last Patriots to walk off the field at Lucas Oil Stadium Saturday afternoon after a 90-minute outing with friends and family that included official team Super Bowl photos.

From just past noon until 1:30 p.m., Patriots players, coaches and staff mingled with family and posed for picture after picture as the clock ticked down to Super Bowl XLVI against the New York Giants.

Brady and Belichick will be trying Sunday to win their fourth Super Bowl in five appearances.

Leaving their team hotel on the campus of IUPUI at 11:45 a.m., the Patriots traveled through a raw drizzle in a 10-bus caravan.

Asked how many friends and family made the trip to Lucas Oil, Patriots Vice President of Media Relations Stacey James smiled and said, “All of them.”

Given the light atmosphere, it was no surprise to see a relaxed, happy group of players.

“It really is (good to see the players enjoy the day),” said Belichick. “These guys have worked hard, they’ve earned this trip. We know we’re here for a job but it’s also a fun thing to be part of this game so it’s fun to be seeing them enjoying it. This is what we all work for. To be here. You want to be here, you want to enjoy it, there’s a job to do but you want to be able to enjoy the trip.”

All official team photos were done by 12:30 p.m.

Seventy Patriots players – including all practice squad players and those who’d landed on injured reserve during the year – were in the final team photo taken before position group photos were taken.

Julian Edelman, who played 25 snaps on offense and 25 on defense in the AFC Championship Game, posed with both the wide receivers and defensive backs.

Belichick, wearing tan khakis and a navy blue hooded sweatshirt with three-quarter length sleeves and a Super Bowl XLVI logo on the right sleeve, knelt in the front row of a photo taken of the Patriots coaches.

Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski showed no trace of a limp for the 75 minutes he was on the field posing first for team photos and then with assorted waves of teammates’ family members. Gronkowski, who suffered a high ankle sprain in the AFC Championship against the Baltimore Ravens, walked briskly from the field and up the tunnel headed for the buses outside. He was listed as “questionable” on Friday’s injury report.

“I think he’s doing better,” Belichick said before the team went on the field to begin the session. “I think he’s doing a little better each day. We’ll just have to see where things (are) and get through tomorrow.”

The Patriots will spend Saturday night at their team hotel on the campus of IUPUI on the edge of downtown Indianapolis. Belichick said there were no stragglers that missed the team’s Friday night curfew.

After the stadium session, the team returned to its hotel. The Patriots will have a team meeting in-between lunch and dinner. There will be a curfew Saturday night as well. The time was undisclosed.

Belichick said his teams have often treated Super Bowl Saturdays like this when there’s been a bye week between the Conference Championship and the Super Bowl. The exception was before Super Bowl 36 when there was no bye week before the Patriots played and beat the St. Louis Rams. Saturday was the 10-year anniversary of that shocking, 20-17 upset of the Rams.

— Written by Tom E. Curran, Pro Football Writers Of America

2012 Super Bowl: New York Giants Hold Final Walk-Through

The strong preparation of the NFL kept the New York Giants final practice before Super Bowl XLVI on schedule despite a problem with one of the team buses.

The second of four buses carrying the team from the Downtown Marriott to the University of Indianapolis had to be replaced after engine problems. The NFL had a substitute bus on hand to deal with the issue and quickly got the players and coaches back en route. There was a delay of roughly five minutes between the first bus arriving and the second, third and fourth buses finishing the 5 1/2-mile journey.

The Giants went through a crisp, 48-minute walk-through practice with every player on the team in uniform and accounted for. The NBC Sports crew of Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Dick Ebersol, Fred Gaudelli and Drew Esocoff were on hand to observe, along with Lt. Col. Greg Gadson, the long-time friend of Giants wide receivers coach Mike Sullivan. Gadson was with the Giants throughout their playoff run to the title in the 2007 season.

Running back Ahmad Bradshaw showed barely a hint of soreness in his ankle as he went through all the scripted situations for the offense. In addition, safety Tyler Sash and defensive end Osi Umenyiora participated in the light-but-focused work.

“He looked fine, no soreness, nothing you could notice,” New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin said regarding Bradshaw. “This was all situational stuff, nothing unusual. It was a Saturday morning jog-thru, all situations.”

The Giants began the practice with approximately 10 minutes of work on special teams situations. The team then alternated offensive and defensive series with backup quarterback David Carr playing the role of Tom Brady for the scout team offense.

The Giants offense looked particularly sharp on its goal-line passing sets as it went through the motions of the final practice, finishing with the traditional victory formation. Coughlin said the team would meet again tonight from approximately 7:30 to 9:15 with a special teams meeting, followed by a team meeting to again review situations. The players will then be shown a three- to four-minute highlight video set to music to “get them in the right frame of mind,” said Coughlin, who will speak to the team after the video and before breaking for a team snack.

The players will be sequestered at the Downtown Marriott tonight. There will be brief meetings Sunday and then the players will be kept off their feet the rest of the day until taking the three-block ride from the hotel to Lucas Oil Stadium roughly three hours before the game.

— Written by Jason Cole, Pro Football Writers Of America

Super Bowl 2012 Predictions: Who Is Picking The Giants?

Here is a roundup of picks and predictions for Sunday's 2012 Super Bowl between the New York Giants and New England Patriots.

- SB Nation New York's Jared Smith picks the Giants to win.

- New York City strippers are 'all in' with the Giants.

- Peter King is going with the Giants, but he is in a minority among SI.com analysts.

- Writers at The Big Lead are all picking the Patriots.

- Big Blue View prognosticators are going with the Giants.

The Giants (12-7) have been three-point underdogs to the 15-3 Patriots throughout much of the buildup to Sunday's game.

The Giants advanced to the game by winning the NFC East and defeating the Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers in the playoffs. The Patriots won the AFC East and defeated the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens in the AFC playoffs to advance.

-- SB Nation New York offers full information on prop bets and other betting information you will need Sunday.

Super Bowl 2012, Giants Vs. Patriots: Plaxico Burress Says Win Should Put Eli Manning In Hall Of Fame

A win Sunday wouldn't just give Eli Manning his second Super Bowl ring, thinks Plaxico Burress. It would clear out a space for Manning in Canton, Ohio.

"He's one win away, I think, from being a Hall of Famer. I really believe that," Burress said Friday on "The Scott Van Pelt Show" on ESPN Radio.

"If he goes out and wins this game," Burress said of his former teammate, "I really believe he's gonna be a Hall of Famer."

Manning certainly has come a long way since this summer, when NFL pundits widely criticized the quarterback for calling himself elite during an interview with ESPN New York's Michael Kay. He threw for 4,933 yards with 29 touchdowns compared to 16 interceptions during the regular season, and has been lights out in the playoffs, throwing for more than 300 yards per game with eight touchdowns and just a lone interception.

Burress, who caught the winning touchdown pass in Super Bowl XLII, added that Manning has run the offense with plenty of confidence and command this season, then gave his Super Bowl prediction.

"I think the Giants win." he said. "I'm not going for the Patriots, that's for sure. The Patriots broke my heart too many times when I was in Pittsburgh, all of those AFC championships. Me and Tom Brady have been going at it ever since the Michigan-Michigan State days, so he's been a thorn in my side for the last 12 to 13 years.

"As far as from the Giants standpoint, I've built some great relationships over there and I'm still great friends with some of these guys outside of football. We hang out, even during the season when I was playing for the Jets. I'm running with Big Blue."

See Big Blue View for more discussion and analysis of the Giants. For everything about the 2012 Super Bowl, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream.

2012 Super Bowl: New York Giants Friday Practice Report

INDIANAPOLI — After practicing the first two days of the New York Giants’ work week at Super Bowl XLVI, running back Ahmad Bradshaw was held out of Friday’s practice because his injured right foot “was a little sore,’’ coach Tom Coughlin said.

“But he’s okay,’’ Coughlin said after the Giants’ 70-minute afternoon practice at the University of Indianapolis’ practice bubble. “He’ll be ready. He’ll be listed as probable. In fact, I don’t believe we’ll have anyone listed as questionable for the game.’’

Running backs Brandon Jacobs and D.J. Ware took the repetitions against the Giants’ scout team, simulating the Patriots, during Friday’s padless drills; the players wore shorts and helmets. Bradshaw was present, and dressed, but did nothing besides stretch. Coughlin didn’t seem concerned about Bradshaw’s absence because, as he said, “He got in two good days of work prior to this. He’s prepared.”

The Giants, as Coughlin said, listed six players as probable. Aside from Bradshaw, defensive Osi Umenyiora (ankle, knee) and special-teamer/safety Tyler Sash (foot) were limited in practice, while wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (shoulder), cornerback Corey Webster (hamstring) and linebacker Jacquian Williams (foot) practiced fully. All but Bradshaw and Sash appeared to be running and working without limitations Friday for the third straight day on the UIndy campus seven miles south of downtown Indianapolis.

Sash, a sixth-round draft pick from Iowa last April, had his foot stepped on midway through practice and left the field to have the foot wrapped. He told the club’s vice president of communications Pat Hanlon after practice: “I’m okay.”

Coughlin was at his detailed best this week in practice. The Giants were told Lucas Oil Stadium would have an on-field temperature of 68 to 70 degrees Sunday at the 6:29 p.m. kickoff, so Coughlin directed the temperature in the bubble be set at 70 each day. “We were able to get a good sweat going, working in conditions like they’ll have Sunday,’’ the veteran coach said. “Of course, we didn’t have 60,000 people watching.’’ To that end, for the third straight day, the Giants had crowd noise piped into the facility.

“So far this week, we’ve accomplished what we needed to accomplish,’’ Coughlin said. “The players have practiced hard and spirited. I think we’ll be well-prepared for the game.’’

As he has all week, Nicks caught everything thrown his way. And as he has all week, Eli Manning threw the ball crisply and with accuracy in preparation for the game against New England.

Giants players and family members, who arrived Thursday, will be on their own Friday night with a midnight curfew. Curfew will also be enforced Saturday night at the club’s downtown Indianapolis hotel at 11 p.m. The Giants will have a jog-through situational practice Saturday morning, and players will be off during the afternoon. As is the usual custom for a road game, Coughlin will have 75 minutes of night meetings and then evening chapel service and a team snack before curfew Saturday.

The Giants’ full management team was on hand to watch Friday’s workout. Club president and CEO John Mara, who has been present all week, was joined by chairman and executive vice president Steve Tisch and treasurer Jonathan Tisch, and multiple family members of the ownership group were on hand. Also Friday, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Greg Gadson, a 2008 Iraq War double-amputee and consistent presence around the team since he gave the team an inspirational speech in 2008, was on the sidelines. Several players, including defensive end Justin Tuck, spent time speaking with Gadson Friday.

— Written by Peter King, Pro Football Writers Of America

2012 Super Bowl: New England Patriots Friday Practice Report

INDIANAPOLIS — An hour-long walk-through capped New England’s week of indoor Super Bowl XLVI practices Friday at Indianapolis Colts team headquarters.

“This is kind of like Saturday for us,” said Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, referring to the usual light session conducted on the day before a game. “We’ve had a little bit of extra time this week (to practice).

“I think we’re ready to go. We’ve worked hard this week Monday, Wednesday and Thursday in practice, and we had good practices back (in Foxborough, Mass.) last week. We went through some mental-review things out there (Friday).”

Tight end Rob Gronkowski participated in the session, which never saw players run faster than a trot while executing plays. Gronkowski practiced on a limited basis Thursday for the first time since spraining his left ankle January 22 in New England’s AFC Championship game victory over Baltimore.

Dressed in gray sweatpants, gray sneakers and a dark blue t-shirt bearing the popular “Yo Soy Fiesta” phrase he recently coined, Gronkowski moved without a limp when the Patriots executed their offensive plays. He is listed as questionable on New England’s injury report for Sunday’s matchup against the New York Giants.

“He practiced yesterday. He didn’t do anything today,” Belichick said. “We’ll see where he’s at on Sunday, but hopefully (he’ll play). I saw no setbacks. He’s still making progress.”
Belichick returned to his special-teams roots during the practice. He served as an offensive lineman on punts, trying to draw the punt coverage team offsides by setting his hand on the ground just before the snap. Belichick and Patriots special teams coach Scott O’Brien also worked as defensive linemen when New England’s Stephen Gostkowski was kicking field goals.
“We were just going through the looks,” said Belichick, who coached special teams on three different NFL teams (Detroit, Denver and the Giants) as an assistant during the 1970s and 1980s. “We have key guys based on where they line up. We just try to show them that as a final reminder.”

The Patriots won’t practice Saturday but will have a team photograph taken at Lucas Oil Stadium, the site of Super Bowl XLVI.

“We’ll have meetings and we’ll do some reminders and things like that in our hotel but we’re not going to actually practice,” Belichick said.

New England players do have a Friday night curfew.

“This will be what we normally do if we were on the road Friday night (for a Sunday game),” Belichick said. “We would have curfew.”

— Written by Alex Marvez, Pro Football Writers Of America

2012 Super Bowl, Giants Injury Report: Ahmad Bradshaw, Hakeem Nicks, Osi Umenyiora Listed As Probable

The New York Giants released their injury report on Friday as they wind down preparations for the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots. Everyone on the Giants injury report is listed as probable for the game.

Only running back Ahmad Bradshaw sat out today during practice. Bradshaw said on Wednesday that he would likely rest today so his missing practice shouldn't be considered a surprise. Safety Tyler Sash and defensive end Osi Umenyiora were limited in practice today. Nicks, Webster and Williams were not limited in practice.

The Patriots also released their injury report. The following players were listed as probable for the game: WR Deion Branch (Knee), C Dan Connolly (Groin), S James Ihedigbo (Shoulder), OT Matt Light (Flu), WR Matthew Slater (Shoulder). The list of questionable players was longer.

See Big Blue View for more discussion and analysis of the Giants. For everything about the 2012 Super Bowl, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream.

2012 Super Bowl: Giants Coach Tom Coughlin Says 'We’re Trying To Make Our Own History Here'

During the buildup to Sunday’s 2012 Super Bowl New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin has been asked many times to compare this team, and this playoff run, to the 2008 run that saw the Giants defeat the 18-0 New England Patriots. The Patriots, of course, will also be New York’s opponent this weekend.

During a visit with Mike Francesa of WFAN earlier this week Coughlin tried to make a distinction between the two teams.

“This is the 2011-12 New York Giants who are striving to make their own history. We’re trying to make our own history here, but there are comparisons and it is not a difficult thing to see those comparisons and agree with them. You got the overtime. You got the field goal in overtime to send you to the Super Bowl. You got the road warrior concept, the five straight single-elimination games that thank God we have been able to win,” Coughlin said. "You do have your similarities. You do have some players that are remaining from the game a few years ago that find themselves in the same position this year. These are two different and unique teams, who have the same tradition and heritage. You’ll find the new players who are a part of this, they are striving to make their own mark on history.”

Super Bowl 2012, Giants Vs. Patriots: LeSean McCoy's Prediction Will Be Popular In New York

Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy, whose Eagles played both the New England Patriots and New York Giants (twice) this season, went against his heart to predict the Giants to win Sunday's Super Bowl.

Asked his pick for the game during an interview with ESPN New York's Michael Kay (transcribed by Sports Radio Interviews), McCoy selected the Patriots, choosing against his divisional foe. But then he added that his pick is not his prediction.

"OK, but to be honest, I feel like the Giants will win the game. They're too hot right now," said the running back.

McCoy called the Giants his most hated NFC rival, later addressing the trash talk he has directed at Osi Umenyiora.

"Osi was cool, it was just that when I first got in the league, he rubbed me the wrong way. He was talking so much. He was the only guy talking on the field. Each year it got worse and worse. He's a competitor, he likes to compete, and so do I. We just kind of battled back. We talk trash to each other. We have respect for each other, but on the field, between the lines, it's every man for themselves."

Despite his admitted dislike of the Giants, McCoy is not surprised they made The Big Game.

"I'm not surprised, especially with the Patriots. They're a good team. They always find a way to kind of get it done and get wins when they need to. The Giants, I'm not really surprised, either, because the way they kind of put it together. Struggling a little bit up and down ... and still find a way to get it done with injuries, different players not playing. I'm happy for them, as far as battling and getting the job done. I'm not happy for them because they're in our division."

See Big Blue View for more discussion and analysis of the Giants. For everything about the 2012 Super Bowl, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream.

Super Bowl 2012, Giants Vs. Patriots: Tom Coughlin Press Conference, Friday 02.03.12

To the victor goes all the spoils. To the loser comes a disappointing offseason. It's the way the NFL playoffs operate, one game either to advance or go home. In the Super Bowl, the winner is a champion, the loser close but no cigar.

The New York Giants know what it's like to face elimination games. They've already won three in the postseason, and the end of the regular season arrived with the same sort of win-or-it's-over pressure.

During a press conference on Friday, coach Tom Coughlin discussed how his team has used the rising stakes to forge into a cohesive, confident unit.

"As you know, the Washington game, back in the regular season, we did not play well. Washington came in and played very well. Following that game, I simply walked into our team and said, ‘Look, we have two games to go. We have to win two games. If we do that we get into the playoffs and we can be the champions of the NFC East.' From there, it has been one elimination game after another. The players have been responding very, very well. They come together as a group."

Of course, Coughlin admits the Giants' growth from a .500 team in serious danger of missing the playoffs into a crew one win away from being crowned Super Bowl champions has not been all about mentality.

"There's been no question that our confidence building is boosted by the players on defense," Coughlin said. "We all of a sudden were able to get our entire defensive team together. We've made some progress along those lines that's given us the boost. We've played in harmony with all three units in those five games. Of course, special teams came through for us out in San Francisco against a very, very good San Francisco team. We were able to turn the ball over at the end of the game and win it. It's been that way. We've had our backs to the wall. The players have performed very well under that circumstance. Our leader, our quarterback, has been a very cool customer and has done very well late in the fourth quarter, (in) many games this year, and put us in a position where we're going to win."

See Big Blue View for more discussion and analysis of the Giants. For everything about the 2012 Super Bowl, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream.

Super Bowl Odds: Giants Vs. Patriots Picks And Predictions

The New England Patriots enter Super Bowl 2012 as 3-point favorites over the New York Giants, according to the Super Bowl odds. The Patriots (13-3) will be looking to avenge a loss in the '08 Super Bowl, which featured the Giants (9-7) earning a 17-14 victory in Arizona, while New York is looking to do the improbable -- beat Tom Bradyand Bill Belichick for the second time in a HUGE game.

However, not only is the Vince Lombardi Trophy on the line Sunday (6:30 p.m. on NBC) but so is my credibility as SB Nation New York's pick'em guy who enters the biggest game of the year with an overall record of 42-40-2. Yes, I'll finish the year above .500 but I bet in imaginary increments of $1-million. So, if I get the Super Bowl right then I finish the year plus $3-million -- give or take. With that kind of cash, then maybe I can convice my wife to allow me to bet for real -- "But honey, I won $3-million last year!! How would $3-million in the bank sound this year?"

So, without further delay lets get to my overall picks and predictions for Super Bowl 46.

Patriots (13-3) vs. Giants (9-7) -- Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN

I see this game moving in either of two directions: First, New York continues to play like it has been on both sides of the ball -- Eli Manning manges the game well, makes a few big plays to Victor Cruz or Hakeem Nicks, while the defense rushes the passer to limit its opponents offense -- and the Giants cruise to a 7-point or more victory.

Or, the Patriots, led by Brady and Belichick, just get so pissed that everybody is mentioning the David Tyreecatch of '08, Brady's legacy if he loses another one Super Bowl and Belichick not winning big games since he got caught "cheating" a few years back. For New England, there's so much bulletin-board material its not even funny -- did I mention how Rob Gronkowski is going to want to prove ankle-doubters wrong, too?

However, for the second thing to happen we also have to figure in that a quarterback with the last name Manning will not enter the game prepared or focused -- not going to happen; and, Giants head coach Tom Coughlin will not make sure his players know what Brady and Belichick want to prove -- Coughlin is smarter than that.

So, with that logic I'm rolling with the Giants, who I picked to down the Falcons, Packers and 49ers, respectively. Enjoy G-Men fans as you get back, "back in the New York grooooooove!"

Prediction: Giants 20, Patriots 19.

2012 Super Bowl: New York Giants Thursday Practice Report

INDIANAPOLIS—Running back Ahmad Bradshaw had an encouraging second straight day of practice and quarterback Eli Manning, on target throughout the Giants’ second Super Bowl XLVI practice of the week, highlighted a smooth New York workout as the Giants continued to get healthier with the game against New England just three days away.

Bradshaw (foot) and defensive end Osi Umenyiora (ankle/knee) were the only Giants among all active and practice squad players who the club listed as limited in this afternoon’s 88-minute practice on the University of Indianapolis’ FieldTurf indoor practice field. The other three players who had been limited in Wednesday’s workout here—cornerback Corey Webster (hamstring), wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (shoulder) and special-teamer/linebacker Jacquian Williams (foot)—practiced fully on Thursday.

Bradshaw, who coach Tom Coughlin said hadn’t practiced on consecutive days to his memory all season, tripped going through the line on one running play early in the session. But he hopped up and was able to continue, and he showed no signs of limping with the nagging foot injury, completing practice as normal. “It looked like he tripped over the fullback’s foot,’’ said Coughlin. “But he’s fine.’’

Overall, Coughlin said, “We did fine. The energy level, the enthusiasm, the excitement is all there, as it should be, as it was yesterday. They’re really excited to practice for the game. I think they’ve done very well. This was a good day of preparation.’’

Manning was sharp. In the final two first-unit offensive possessions of the day, the second a two-minute drill, he completed 10 of 11 throws. Manning was particularly effective in the two-minute drill, held against the Giants’ first-team defense, moving the offense briskly downfield with but one incompletion. He appears to be in peak form heading into the second Super Bowl of his eight-year NFL career.

The play of the day came from Nicks, one of Manning’s favorite targets. Early in the practice, Nicks made a twisting, one-handed catch of a line drive from Manning on the left sideline, corralling the ball easily and turning upfield.

In all, the Giants appear to be in good shape, physically and mentally, for the rematch of the Super Bowl four years ago.

The NBC television crew that will do Sunday’s game—play-by-play man Al Michaels, analyst Cris Collinsworth, sideline reporter Michele Tafoya, producer Fred Gaudelli and director Drew Esocoff—were on hand to watch the Giants work, a day after they’d observed the Patriots work out at the Colts practice facility.

— Written by Peter King, Pro Football Writers of America

2012 Super Bowl: New England Patriots Thursday Practice Report

INDIANAPOLIS — New England tight end Rob Gronkowski’s return highlighted Thursday’s Super Bowl XLVI practice at Indianapolis Colts headquarters.
Appearing in the second half of the nearly two-hour session, Gronkowski participated on a limited basis for the first time since suffering a sprained left ankle January 22 during New England’s 23-20 AFC Championship game victory over Baltimore.

“He did some things. He didn’t do everything,” Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said. “We’ll see how he is tomorrow. I think that will be the big key – how he responds to this today.”

Asked how encouraged he was by what Gronkowski did Thursday, Belichick said, “It was good. It was fine. We’ll see where he is tomorrow — whether that set him back, whether it didn’t and whether he’s able to continue to progress on a daily basis. But it was a good test for him, too, at least. At least he was out here and did some things to see how it feels. We’ll see how it goes.”

Gronkowski enjoyed one of the most prolific seasons for a tight end in NFL history with 90 catches for 1,327 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Working in helmets and shells, the Patriots ran a gamut of offensive, defensive, and special-teams drills inside the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. Belichick said his players had “good energy. They worked hard.”

Asked if he was doing anything different during practices than prior to New England’s previous four Super Bowl appearances under his guidance, Belichick said, “I think each one’s different. Each team is different and each preparation is a little bit different depending on what the needs are, your opponent, where your team is, how experienced they are and so forth. There are little tweaks here and there but it’s basically the same.”

— Written by Alex Marvez, Pro Football Writers of America

Super Bowl 2012, Giants Injury Report: Ahmad Bradshaw At Practice For Second Straight Day

The New York Giants released their latest injury report on Thursday as they prepare to face the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl on Feb. 5. There were no changes to the status of the Giants players on the injury report.

The following Giants were limited in practice today:

RB Ahmad Bradshaw (Foot)
WR Hakeem Nicks (Shoulder)
DE Osi Umenyiora (Ankle/Knee)
CB Corey Webster (Hamstring)
LB Jacquian Williams (Foot)

With Bradshaw, the big news is that he practiced for the second time in a row today. Bradshaw has not been in consecutive practices since he returned from injury in early December. Bradshaw said on Wednesday about hitting the field two days in a row

"Just to get my legs up under me," Bradshaw said. "We've been staying in this hotel for the last couple of days, sitting on our butts in meetings and everything else, so I just wanted to get my feet up under me and get out there and have fun.

"I feel good. I'll probably go today and sit out Friday and Saturday." (via NJ.com)

The Patriots injury report remains lengthy. The major change on their side was that tight end Rob Gronkowski (Ankle) returned to the practice field in as a limited participant today.

See Big Blue View for more discussion and analysis of the Giants. For everything about the 2012 Super Bowl, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream.

Super Bowl 2012: Jason Pierre-Paul Doesn't Back Off Talk About Tom Brady

New York Giants star defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul has talked a few times this week about New England quarterback Tom Brady being bothered by the Giants pass rush earlier this season.

Thursday Pierre-Paul did not back off his comments that Brady was feeling pressure that wasn’t really there in the team’s regular-season meeting.

"He was. He did react to pressure that didn’t exist, and he was just throwing the ball places where there wasn’t even a receiver there," Pierre-Paul said. "It’s like he felt us. When we looked back on the film, we watched the film, and we didn’t really rush like we can rush as a defense. He was throwing balls on the ground and stuff, but like I said, it’s going to be a battle. We have to get there. We have to."

Pierre-Paul had 16.5 sacks in the regular season and the Giants will need him to back up his words and make the great New England quarterback uncomfortable on Sunday.

2012 Super Bowl, Giants Vs. Patriots: Jerry Reese Press Conference, Thursday

Jerry Reese has now seen the New York Giants reach the Super Bowl twice in his five season as general manager. The architect of the Giants roster was asked Thursday about the “over-arching philosophy” of how the Giants build a team. If you have followed the Giants for any length of time you know his answer was vintage Reese.

"Our over-arching philosophy is ‘find good players.’ That’s what’s most important. You try to get as many good players as you can. I don’t care what position they are, you try to stack as many good players as you can," reese said. "We don’t go into (the draft) and say, ‘We’re looking for a defensive end, we’re looking for a quarterback.’ We’re looking for good players. Then after we get good players, we fill in around and get players in the holes that we need. That’s our formula."

Draftniks sometimes shake their heads when Reese stockpiles pass-rushing defensive ends, or wide receivers, or bypasses players who look like they might fit perceived needs for guys who — at first glance — have no place to play. With two Super Bowl appearances in five years, though, it is pretty hard to argue with the results.

Super Bowl 2012, Halftime Show: Madonna Nursing Hamstring Injury

Discussion of Rob Gronkowski's ankle has dominated the media during the two weeks of hype building up to the Super Bowl. But another crucial injury has gone mostly unmentioned.

Madonna, who will perform the Super Bowl halftime show at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, has been banged up due to a pulled hamstring.

She said during a press conference Thursday she has been doing "a lot of warm-ups, taping and ultrasound" to prepare for her performance.

"I feel like I'm one of the football players right now with all of the physical therapy I have to do, but I'm good," Madonna said. "Mind over matter."

Unlike Gronkowski, Madonna will not have to block Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul on Sunday. But belting out "Like A Virgin" can be pretty taxing.

- See Big Blue View for more discussion and analysis of the Giants. For everything about the 2012 Super Bowl, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream.

Super Bowl Prop Bets: New York Giants Odds 2012

As you've probably seen, SB Nation New York is covering every angle of the Super Bowl 2012. And with just a few days before the big game, we've decided to reach out to those degenerate gamblers that love to bet on every aspect of the Super Bowl, the biggest sports betting event of the year.

Below is a list of Super Bowl prop bets, provided by Bovada, for the New York Giants, who will be playing the New England Patriots in Sunday's Super Bowl (6:30 p.m. on NBC).

All Your Super Bowl 2012 Betting Needs In One Place

Giants' Super Bowl 2012 MVP award winner?

Eli Manning (7-5)
Victor Cruz (8-1)
Hakeem Nicks (12-1)
Ahmad Bradshaw (20-1)
Jason Pierre-Paul (25-1)
Mario Manningham (35-1)
Brandon Jacobs (40-1)

Jared's pick: I really believe that Eli Manning is the easy bet here. If the Giants win the Super Bowl its going to be because Manning has a solid performance and not because somebody else stole the show. However, I'd like to think that voters would also like to give Eli a boost over Peyton just so they can talk able who's better the next decade.

How many passing yards will Giants' quarterback Eli Manning throw for?

Over 315-1/2 (-135)
Under 315-1/2 (+105)

Jared's pick: Great number for this one, as in the past five games Manning has gone over that number three times and under it twice. I am guessing, that if the Giants are successful they're mixing the run and pass well and if they lose Manning his passing numbers will not be that great. So, I'd go with the under.

Total rushing yards for Eli Manning?

Over 3-1/2 (-130)
Under 3-1/2 (Even)

Jared's pick: I am taking the under for two reasons: 1) over the course of this season Manning is averaging just 0.5-rushing yards per game; and 2) he's not that fast, so if he's running away from pressure he's not getting very far.

Exact number of Eli Manning passing touchdowns?

None (+550)
1 (+250)
2 (+250)
3 (+275)
4 or more (+400)

Jared's pick: I like to think if the Giants are going to score at least three touchdowns, and two of them are coming through the air. But, since the money-line is better with three scores, then I am going with three.

How many rushing yards will Giants' running back Ahmad Bradshaw get?

Over 62-1/2 (-115)
Under 62-1/2 (-115)

Jared's pick: Again, if the Giants are going to win, then they've established a balanced attack that features Bradshaw, however, I think Brandon Jacobs will steal some of the carries too. So, unless Bradshaw, who hasn't surpassed 63 yards all season, busts a big one you should thinking taking the under is a smart bet.

Will Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks catch a touchdown?

Yes (-115)
No (-115)

Jared's pick: Nick has scored a touchdown in less than half of all the Giants' games this season, so the odds are less than 50/50 he will do it in the Super Bowl. However, Nicks did catch two touchdowns in two of New York's three postseason games, meaning I am saying, yes!.

How many receiving yard will Giants' wide receiver Victor Cruz have?

Over 89-1/2 (-130)
Under 89-1/2 (Even)

Jared's pick: In 12 of the Giants' 19 games this season, Cruz has surpassed that mark. In the postseason, however, Cruz has surpassed that mark just once. What does that tell me? He's due! Take the over.

Total catches for Victor Cruz?

Over 6 (-125)
Under 6 (-105)

Jared's pick: In five of the Giants' 19 games this year, Cruz has caught more than six balls. Cruz has totaled six catches six times, so with those numbers along with a push allowing you to get your money back, I'd take the over.

Total sacks for Giants' defense end Osi Umenyiora.

Over 1/2
Under 1/2

Jared's pick: In 12 games that Umenyiora has played this season, he has collected at least one sack. I know that Tom Brady can get rid of the ball quick, but one has to think Osi is getting to Mr. Brady once.

Will Giants' head coach Tom Coughlin retire if his team wins Super Bowl 2012?

Yes (+900)

Jared's pick: Unless, Coughlin is taken out by a out-of-bounds tackle and hospitalized -- oh, that's a terrible thought -- then there's no way he's retiring. The guy loves his job too much.

How many times will David Tyree's 2008 Super Bowl catch be shown during Super Bowl 2012?

Over 1 1/2 (Even)
Under 1 1/2 (-140)

Jared's pick: It's happening at least once, so you need to ask yourself: "If the game is even somewhat close in the fourth quarter will NBC Producer show the clip again?" Of course. Take the over!

For more on Super Bowl 2012, check out the SB Nation New York StoryStream. For everything on the Giants, visit the SB Nation blog Big Blue View, while Pats Pulpit has everything on the New England Patriots.

Super Bowl 2012: Eli Manning Press Conference, Thursday, 02.02.12

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning seemed relaxed and ready to go Thursday morning during his daily meeting with reporters leading up to the 2012 Super Bowl against the New England Patriots. This is the last day of media availability for players.

“You gotta enjoy this, you gotta have fun,” said Manning. "You can’t get nervous about it, you can’t overthink things. You just gotta go out there and play the game you’ve been playing your whole life, and enjoy every second of it.

“Having been in the NFL eight years you realize how rare it is to get here, how special it is, what a great opportunity this is,” Manning said. "You don’t want to let these opportunities slip away.

“The whole journey’s been great, and now obviously the goal is to finish it off strong,” Manning said. “That’s kinda been the words of the season, finish games in the fourth quarter and finish the season strong.”

2012 Super Bowl: Giants Coach Tom Coughlin Says 'It's Still Us Against The World'

New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin has heard all the talk that maybe the Giants really are not the underdogs Sunday against the New England Patriots in the 2012 Super Bowl. He is aware of the analysts and prognosticators who have chosen the Giants to win. The veteran Giants coach is sticking to the Giants as underdogs script, however.

“It’s still us against the world,” Coughlin said during his Thursday press conference. “I’ve seen a lot of the stuff that’s been said … we’re still the underdogs. We still have an awful lot to prove.”

Injury Updates

Coughlin said that the Giants were “pleased” with the progress of running back Ahmad Bradshaw (foot) and that linebacker Jacquian Williams (ankle) “did well” during Wednesday’s practice.

“We’ll have to see about Ahmad. Certainly the time off has helped him. He worked a little bit of a day early a week ago, he’s worked two days early this week,” said Coughlin.

2012 Super Bowl, Rob Gronkowski Injury Update: Tight End To Play, Barring Setback

Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski, who suffered a high-ankle sprain against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game, will play in Super Bowl XLVI barring a setback in practice this week, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Many have presumed the second year tight end would play, and Schefter also noted that he will be a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Gronkowski suffered the injury while being tackled by Ravens' safety Bernard Pollard, and was forced to leave the game for medical examination. He later returned to the contest and finished the game on the field.

Upon the team's arrival to Indianapolis on Sunday afternoon, Gronkowksi was spotted in a black walking boot. By media day on Tuesday morning, he had shed the boot and walked without a noticeable limp.

- See Big Blue View for more discussion and analysis of the Giants. For everything about the 2012 Super Bowl, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream.

2012 Super Bowl: New England Patriots News, Notes, Numbers

Here are some 2012 Super Bowl facts and figures about the New England Patriots, courtesy of the NFL PR Department.

The Patriots advanced to Super Bowl for 7th time in franchise history (3-3)…With win in Super Bowl XLVI, head coach BILL BELICHICK (3) can tie HOFer CHUCK NOLL (4) for most SB wins by head coach in NFL history. Belichick & QB TOM BRADY will make 5th SB appearance together, most by head coach-quarterback duo all-time. Belichick & Brady (16) have most postseason wins by QB-head coach duo. Belichick (17) is tied with HOFer JOE GIBBS (17) for 3rd-most playoff wins all-time, trailing only HOFers TOM LANDRY (20) & DON SHULA (19)…

Brady’s 16 postseason wins are tied with HOFer JOE MONTANA for most playoffs wins by QB in NFL history. Brady has 1,001 passing yards in 4 Super Bowls, 4th-most SB career passing yards (KURT WARNER, 1,156; Montana, 1,142; Elway, 1,128). Brady has 7 career SB TD passes, 4th most all-time. Brady (5,009) needs 381 passing yards to surpass PEYTON MANNING (5,389) for 3rd-most postseason passing yards in NFL history. Brady (36) needs 4 TD passes to join Montana (45) & BRETT FAVRE (44) as only QBs to reach 40 postseason TD passes all-time. Brady (472) needs 10 completions to surpass Favre (481) for most career postseason completions all-time. Has 16-5 (.762) playoff record, best postseason record as starting QB in NFL history (min. 15 starts). Named MVP of SBs XXXVI & XXXVIII. Brady will tie Elway (5) for most SB appearances by QB in NFL history. In 4 career games vs. NYG (incl. SB XLII), Brady has completed 97 of 160 passes (60.6 pct.) for 1,076 yards with 5 TDs vs. 2 INTs & 85.8 passer rating. Brady had 5,235 passing yards in ’11, 2nd-most passing yards in season in NFL history, trailing only DREW BREES (5,476) in ’11…

RB BEN JARVUS GREEN-ELLIS registered 1st career postseason rush TD last week. Green-Ellis reached 10+ rush TDs in consecutive seasons (13 in ’10; 11 in ’11)…WR WES WELKER has 46 receptions in 6 career playoff games. Welker had 11 receptions for 103 yards in only career SB appearance (SB XLII vs. NYG). Welker joined CRIS CARTER (122 in ’94 & ’95) as only players to have 120+ receptions twice in career (123 in ’09; 122 in ’11). Joined HOFer JERRY RICE & MARVIN HARRISON as only players to have 4 100-catch seasons. WR DEION BRANCH was named MVP of SB XXXIX. Has 21 career SB receptions, 3rd-most all-time, trailing on HOFer JERRY RICE (33) & ANDRE REED (27). Branch (791) has most career postseason receiving yards in Patriots history…TE ROB GRONKOWSKI has 15 receptions for 232 yards with 3 TD catches in ’11 postseason. Had 8 catches for 101 receiving yards with 1 TD in only meeting vs. NYG (11/6/11). Gronkowski set single-season record for TEs in receiving yards (1,327) & TD receptions (17) in ’11. Became 1st TE in NFL history to lead league in TD catches. TE AARON HERNANDEZ has totaled 191 scrimmage yards (121 receiving, 70 rushing) in past 2 playoff games. Had career-best in catches (79), receiving yards (910) & TDs (7) in ’11…

LB JEROD MAYO led club with 95 tackles in ’11. LB BRANDON SPIKES posted 1st career postseason INT last week. LB ROB NINKOVICH had career-best 6.5 sacks this season…DT VINCE WILFORK has 2.5 sacks in past 2 playoff games…CB KYLE ARRINGTON tied for NFL-best with 7 INTs.

2012 Super Bowl: New York Giants News, Notes, Numbers

Here are some 2012 Super Bowl facts and figures about the New York Giants, courtesy of the NFL PR Department.

The Giants have won 7 championships (1927, 1934, 1938, 1956, 1986, 1990, 2007), 3rd most in NFL history. Are 3-1 in SBs, including 17-14 win over NE in SB XLII…Have won 5 in row, outscoring opp. 141-67…TOM COUGHLIN joins BILL PARCELLS as only Giants head coaches to lead 2 teams to SB. Coughlin has led NYG to 5 postseason appearances, tied with Parcells for most in team history. Coughlin notched 7th postseason road victory in NFC Champ. at SF, tied with HOFer TOM LANDRY for most all-time…Giants are 2nd team in NFL history (Arizona, 2008) to reach SB by beating 3 opponents with better reg. season records…Have won past 2 vs. NE (SB XLII & Wk. 9). NYG defeated NE 24-20 in Wk. 9 & team is 3-0 in SBs when facing club Giants played in reg. season…

Giants had two players selected to Pro Bowl: QB ELI MANNING (2nd) & DE JASON PIERRE-PAUL (1st)…QB Manning was MVP of SB XLII. Has won 7 of past 8 postseason starts. Is franchise postseason passing leader (min. 100 att.) in att. (316), comp. (189), comp. pct. (59.8), yards (2,220), TDs (16) & rating (87.5). Had 330 pass yards in Div. & 316 yards in NFC Champ. Is 2nd player to take team to SB with consecutive 300-yard pass games in Div. & Champ. (HOFer JIM KELLY, 1990). Had franchise-record 4,933 pass yards & 8 300-yard games in reg. season. Has 24 career 300-yard games (incl. playoffs), most in team history. Recorded 7th consecutive season with 3,000+ pass yards & 20+ pass TDs, most in team history. Had 15 4th quarter TD passes in reg. season, most ever in season, topping HOFer JOHNNY UNITAS & PEYTON MANNING…RB BRANDON JACOBS has 4 career rush TDs in playoffs, tied with JOE MORRIS (4) for most in franchise history. Jacobs (424) & RB AHMAD BRADSHAW (408) rank 3rd & 4th in team history with most playoff rushing yards…

WR HAKEEM NICKS has 18 catches for 335 yards & 4 TDs in postseason. His 335 yards & 4 TDs are most by Giant in single postseason. His 18 catches are tied for 2nd most by Giant, trailing AMANI TOOMER’s 21 in 2007. Nicks had 7 catches for 165 yards & 2 TDs in Div. & 6 catches for 115 yards & 2 TDs in WC. Is 3rd WR in SB era with 2+ games in single postseason with 100+ yards & 2+ TDs, joining HOFer JERRY RICE (1989) & LARRY FITZGERALD (2008). Nicks had 72-yard TD in WC & 66-yard TD in Div. Is only player in NFL history with 66+ rec. TD in consecutive games in same postseason. Ranked 2nd on team in reg. season with 76 catches, 1,192 yards & 7 TDs. Only player in team history with 75+ catches, 1,000+ yards & 7+ TDs in consecutive seasons. WR VICTOR CRUZ had 10 catches for 142 yards in NFC Champ. His 10 catches tied for 2nd most in playoff game by NYG (PLAXICO BURRESS, 11, 2007 NFC Champ). Had team-record 1,536 rec. yards in reg. season, 193 more than previous mark (1,343, AMANI TOOMER). Had team-high 9 rec. TDs in reg. season, incl. 99-yard TD in Week 16, tied for longest in NFL history. Had 5 rec. TDs of 65+ yards in reg. season, 2nd most in season in NFL history (6, HOFer ELROY “CRAZYLEGS” HIRSCH, 1951). Had 7 100-yard games in reg. season, most by Giant in season. Cruz (1,536) & Nicks (1,192) are 1st set of Giants to each record 1,000+ rec. yards in same season. WR MARIO MANNINGHAM has TD in all 3 playoff games this year & is 1st Giant with TD catch in 3 consecutive games in single postseason…

DE Pierre-Paul ranked 4th in NFL during reg. season with 16.5 sacks. Joined HOFer LAWRENCE TAYLOR & MICHAEL STRAHAN as only Giants with 16+ sacks in season. Had sack in Wk. 9 meeting. DE JUSTIN TUCK had 2 sacks in SB XLII, tied for most in postseason game by Giant. Had 1.5 sacks in NFC Champ. DE OSI UMENYIORA has 5.5 career postseason sacks, incl. 3.5 this year. CB COREY WEBSTER led team with career-high 6 INTs in reg. season…K LAWRENCE TYNES had 31-yard FG in OT in NFC Champ. Also had 47-yard FG in OT in 2007 NFC Champ. Is only player in NFL history to score winning points in 2 playoff OT games. Is team leader in postseason points (52) & FGs (11). WR-ST DEVIN THOMAS had 2 FRs in NFC Champ leading to 10 points.

Super Bowl 2012 Betting Odds: Patriots Favored, Giants Are The Bettors' Choice

Super Bowl 2012: Wednesday New York Giants Practice Pool Report

INDIANAPOLIS — Running back Ahmad Bradshaw and linebacker Jacquian Williams, benefiting from extra time for foot injuries to heal during the Giants’ bye week, ran well and practiced during New York’s first Super Bowl XLVI week workout in the practice bubble on the University of Indianapolis campus.

The Giants, appearing exuberant and loose, practiced for 80 minutes (following a scripted 30-minute jog-through workout) on the Greyhounds’ FieldTurf practice field—the same surface they’ll play on Sunday against the New England Patriots.

All active and practice squad players participated in the first team practice since their Saturday session back in New Jersey, though five players were listed as limited by the team: Bradshaw, Williams, cornerback Corey Webster (hamstring), defensive end Osi Umenyiora (ankle/knee) and wideout Hakeem Nicks (shoulder). All were observed by a pool reporter in the regular part of practice practicing at close to full speed, though their practice reps were less than a typical full load.

“This was a good, spirited, uptempo practice,’’ said coach Tom Coughlin. “There are a few things we will clean up, obviously, and we want to be better tomorrow and build to our best work on Friday.’’

It seemed the Giants were itching to get back out on the field, the way they boisterously emerged from a pre-practice stretch and ran from drill to drill.

“I saw that,’’ said Coughlin. “They’ve been excited about getting back to work for the first time in a few days.’’

Coughlin had said at the Giants’ Wednesday media session that he expected Bradshaw to sit out the first practice of the week. And he said he was a little surprised to see Bradshaw practice. Normally, the veteran running back has used Wednesday to rest and rehab his injured right foot, but Coughlin said Bradshaw told trainer Ronnie Barnes he “wants to be a part of this” and wanted to be out at the first practice of Super Bowl week with his teammates.

“I just hope he’s okay tomorrow,’’ said Coughlin.

— Compiled by Peter King, Pro Football Writers of America

Super Bowl 2012: Wednesday New England Patriots Practice Pool Report

INDIANAPOLIS — An almost-complete New England Patriots squad conducted a two-and-a-half hour Super Bowl XLVI practice in helmets and shells Wednesday at Indianapolis Colts team headquarters.

“We had our moments – some good ones and some things we’ve got to work on,” Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said afterward. “They’re trying. They’re working hard. We’ve got a ways to go, though.

“We’ve had a little bit of extra time to prepare so we hit all the areas. I thought we had good tempo and good timing. We’ll back down a little bit the next couple of days.”

Tight end Rob Gronkowski was the only player who didn’t participate during Wednesday’s session. Gronkowski suffered a left ankle injury January 22 during New England’s 23-20 AFC Championship game victory over Baltimore.
“He’s day to day,” Belichick said. “He’s getting better but, we’ll just take it day-to-day.”

Tackle Sebastian Vollmer (foot/back) worked on a limited basis.

“He did a little bit today,” Belichick said. “We’ll see how he does tomorrow.”

Left tackle Matt Light, who battled an illness earlier in the week, completed a full practice.

To prepare for the crowd noise expected inside Lucas Oil Stadium during Sunday’s matchup against the New York Giants, the Patriots blasted loud music through much of practice inside the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center.

— Written by Alex Marvez, Pro Football Writers of America

2012 Super Bowl, Wednesday Injury Report: Rob Gronkowski Still Not Practicing

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski was the only member of either team who did not practice on Wednesday. Gronkowski suffered a high ankle sprain in the Patriots AFC Championship Game victory over the Baltimore Ravens. The belief is that Gronkowski will play Sunday in Super Bowl XLVI against the New York Giants, but how healthy the star tight end will be is obviously debatable.

NEW YORK GIANTS

LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
RB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot), WR Hakeem Nicks (shoulder), DE Osi Umenyiora (ankle, knee), CB Corey Webster (hamstring), LB Jacquian Williams (foot)

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
TE Rob Gronkowski (ankle)


LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

Wednesday
T Marcus Cannon (ankle), S Patrick Chung (knee), LB Dane Fletcher (thumb), DT Kyle Love (ankle), G Logan Mankins (knee), LB Rob Ninkovich (hip), LB Brandon Spikes (knee), T Sebastian Vollmer (illness, back, foot), WR Wes Welker (knee), LB Tracy White (abdomen)

Super Bowl 2012, Giants Vs. Patriots: New England Defenders Ask 'Who Do You Take Away?'

The New England Patriots, with a defense ranked 31st in the league in yardage allowed during the regular season, understand that they have a huge challenge in Super Bowl XLVI against the explosive New York Giants offense.

“They’re playing good football right now, running the ball, passing the ball, so you’ve just got to try to take away some of the weapons. You’ve got to try to contain them. I don’t know if you can really just stop them all together because (Giants QB) Eli (Manning) is hot right now. The running backs are running the ball well, the offensive line is blocking well, so we’ve just got to do a good job trying to contain them,” said linebacker Jerod Mayo. “They’re clicking on all cylinders. It’s like, ‘What do you do? Who do you take away?’ Do you try to take the run game away and then you open up passing lanes and you try to take the pass game away and then you have (RB Ahmad) Bradshaw and (RB Brandon) Jacobs and (RB D.J.) Ware running the ball, so it’s like what do you do?”

The Patriots defensive plan is similar to the Giants plan to attack Tom Brady with as much pass rush as they can muster.

“I think we want to get after Eli (Manning) first of all, because he runs the show. They don’t give him enough credit. He’s a big, physical guy; he’s tough. He gets up after you knock him down. He just runs a tight ship. He does a great job so he’s the guy we have to try to get off track.,” said linebacker Brandon Spikes. “They can anytime take it the distance. We’re just got to contain and make sure we got guys at each position that can do it all. It can pop, anytime so we’ve got to do a great job of just containing and being fundamentally sound and everyone just hitting their assignments, being in the right place.”

Super Bowl 2012, Giants Vs. Patriots: Bill Belichick Talks About Giants Defensive Line

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick said Wednesday that the New York Giants defensive line is difficult to prepare for because “I don’t know if anybody can play like the Giants play.”

Interestingly, Giants coach Tom Coughlin also spoke about the Giants plethora of defensive ends today, saying that having so many pass-rushers was “not a luxury,” rather “a style and a way in which we prefer to play.”

The Giants have pass-rushing ends Jason Pierre-Paul, Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck, linebacker/defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka and several quality defensive tackles.

“They (the Giants) have great quickness up there as well as power. Those inside guys can really knock the line of scrimmage back,” Belichick said. “When they move (Jason) Pierre-Paul and (Justin) Tuck and those guys inside in passing situations, they have great quickness in there, too.”

The matchup between the Patriots talented offensive line and the Giants defensive front will be one of the critical ones in Super Bowl XLVI.

Super Bowl 2012, Giants Vs. Patriots: Eli Manning Press Conference, Wednesday

Does Eli Manning make his receiving corps of Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz and Mario Manningham look better? Or did having such a talented crop of wideouts enable Manning to post his best season ever?

The correct answer is both, and Manning -- though he did not want to compare his receivers to league-wide competitors -- acknowledged during a press conference on Wednesday that he is well aware how well his targets are playing as the Giants prepare to meet the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.

"I don't know how to rate every other receiving corps. I'm not really concerned with the other guys. I like our receivers. I like the way they work. I like the way they support each other. They all are very confident in themselves. They don't have an ego that distracts from the team or each other. Whether it's Hakeem (Nicks) scoring touchdowns or Victor (Cruz) or Mario (Manningham), they all are the first ones to go congratulate each other. That shows that they truly appreciate the work that goes into scoring touchdowns. I don't have favorites right now. I'm reading the coverages. I'm going to whoever's getting open," Manning said.

Cruz emerged from the land of unknown to set a franchise record with 1,536 receiving yards, adding nine touchdowns. Manning said he has been impressed by Cruz's quick ascent and noted the chemistry the pair has developed.

"Victor, I give a lot of credit to him. He plays a tough position in that slot with a lot of decisions to make. Last year when Steve Smith got hurt for awhile, we tried to move some other guys around, Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham. I think they realized how tough it is in there. It is a different reaction. It's not as specific exactly what your route is. It's more of a, ‘Have a great feel, get open, find a zone, find a lane.' You have to be very clear with your body language to tell me what you're doing," Manning said.

"That's something Victor has done a great job with. (He's) very definitive in his route running and body language. I know exactly what he's doing. If you can do it and you can master that, it's a great way to get a lot of catches in the middle of the field, in the slot spot. It's pretty impressive in what he's been able to do in his first year of really playing that position and playing in the NFL."

- See Big Blue View for more discussion and analysis of the Giants. For everything about the 2012 Super Bowl, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream.

Super Bowl 2012: Osi Umenyiora Apologizes For 'Misunderstanding'

New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora has issued a statement apologizing for missing Wednesday’s mandatory media session. Umenyiora’s wallet is $20,000 lighter after he was fined by the NFL for the transgression.

Here is Umenyiora’s statement:

“I misunderstood the schedule. It won’t happen again, and I will be at tomorrow’s media session and available after the game. I apologize for any inconvenience my absence this morning may have caused.”

Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News seemed to question the sincerity of Umenyiora’s apology.

Vacchiano said Umenyiora is a “chronic violator” of the NFL’s Media Policy during the regular season and added that Umenyiora was the only player for either team who missed today’s mandatory 45-minute session with reporters.

— See Big Blue View for more discussion and analysis of the Giants leading up to Super Bowl XLVI. See Pats Pulpit for discussion and analysis from a New England point of view.

Super Bowl 2012, Giants Vs. Patriots: Tom Coughlin Press Conference, Wednesday

A strong pass rush is nothing new for the New York Giants. It's nothing accidental, either.

Giants coach Tom Coughlin denied a reporter's claim that it is a "luxury" to have so many defensive ends who rush the passer well during his press conference on Wednesday, four days prior to meeting the New England Patriots in Sunday's Super Bowl.

"It's not a luxury," Coughlin said. "It's a style and a way in which we prefer to play. It's a position that we place a whole lot of stock in...one of the questions that had been asked this morning was to get pressure, how do you get by doing that. If you can do it with four rather than the rest, then you can cover. You have more people involved in coverage, obviously. The great skilled defensive lineman that come along, rare or not rare, if they have the other attributes that you're looking for, they're going to give you a number of weapons. Mentioning athleticism, speed, and that type of thing, they provide versatility for you as well."

Coughlin discussed whether his team's pass rush has been a factor in its recent success against the Patriots.

"We feel that we certainly have a very strong group of men in the front, not only with the ends but with the tackles as well. We've had an opportunity to collect all of the people we had injured, and all the people who came back from being injured have played well. It's just the way we play and prefer to play. It's a pressure group, and we have played better in the back end as well, probably as a result of the ball having to come out faster than it has at certain times during the year," he said.

- See Big Blue View for more discussion and analysis of the Giants. For everything about the 2012 Super Bowl, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream.

Super Bowl 2012, Giants Vs. Patriots: Kevin Gilbride Press Conference

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning has had the best season of his career in leading the Giants to the 2012 Super Bowl against the New England Patriots. He passed for a franchise record 4,933 yards, led six fourth-quarter victories and cut his interceptions from 25 a season ago to 16.

And yes, he proved he is elite. There is still one thing he does, however, that makes offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride crazy. That would be his occasional propensity to throw the ball left-handed when he is flushed from the pocket.

"He still does it. I go crazy. It is foolish, it is stupid," Gilbride said. "You are asking for disaster. Don’t do that. Sometimes the instincts are just so strong that they take over."

Gilbride did not want to endorse the idea that the Giants, last in the league in rushing this season, have become a passing team.

“If Tom [Coughlin] had the perfect world, we would run it 30, throw it 30 and we would win 14-2,” Gilbride said. “Sometimes it doesn’t play out that way and you have to recognize that what are people doing defensively. What is our best chance of moving the ball and if we have to run it 50 times, that is fine with me. If we have to throw it 50, whatever we have to do.”

Super Bowl 2012, Giants Vs. Patriots: Perry Fewell Press Conference

New York Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell said Wednesday that not being certain of the playing status of New England Patriots star tight end Rob Gronkowski (questionable with a high ankle sprain) complicates preparations for Sunday’s 2012 Super Bowl.

"The speculation of if he will or if he won’t, that’s very difficult, because you can only use study. He’s been in every football game they’ve played this year so what do they do without him. It’s a difficult thing," Fewell said.

Fewell came to the Giants from the Buffalo Bills after serving as defensive coordinator there, and interim head coach for part of the 2009 season. He interviewed for four head-coaching jobs a season ago, but his name never came up for any of the vacancies that came around following the 2011 season. Fewell has never hidden his desire to be a head coach, and knows his chances could be enhanced if the Giants win the Super Bowl.

"I think it gives me more marketability in the future," Fewell said. "Now I have the experience of coaching in the Super Bowl, knowing what the preparation is like for a Super Bowl week, because it does change. I think that adds value to what I can do."

Super Bowl 2012: Officials Announced

The NFL chose Wednesday to announce the seven-man crew that will officiate the Super Bowl this Sunday between the New York Giants and New England Patriots at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Referee John Parry leads the crew, which also includes Carl Paganelli (umpire), Tom Stabile (head linesman), Gary Arthur (line judge), Gary Cavaletto (field judge), Laird Hayes (side judge) and Tony Steratore (back judge). Combined, they have 94 years of NFL officiating experience and 69 playoff assignments.

Parry, in his 12th season as an NFL official, has officiated nine playoff games - one Super Bowl, one Conference Championship, six Divisional playoffs and one Wild Card game. He was the side judge in Super Bowl XLI before being promoted to referee.

The NFL now uses a system devised to ensure that the best officials during the season are chosen to work the Super Bowl. The league rates each official, and those with the highest ratings are chosen for the Super crew, provided that they have at least five years of experience and one playoff series under their belts.

- See Big Blue View for more discussion and analysis of the Giants. For everything about the 2012 Super Bowl, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream.

Super Bowl 2012, Giants Vs. Patriots: Osi Umenyiora Fined After Missing Media Availability

Osi Umenyiora will pay for missing Wednesday's media availability.

The NFL announced that the New York Giants defensive end has been fined $20,000 for failing to make himself available to the press Wednesday morning, four days before the Giants meet the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.

It's not believed that Umenyiora's absence was related to injury or illness -- ESPN New York's Ohm Youngmisuk reports that Umenyiora was present at team meetings shortly after he missed the media session.

During Tuesday's media day, Umenyiora spoke at length about a season that didn't always proceed as he planned. He had a contract dispute in training camp, ultimately demanding a trade, and later missed seven games due to injury.

"I had to swallow my pride. I had to do a bunch of different things. You have to sacrifice for the team. That's just what I've been able to do this year, and we've been successful,"Umenyiora said Tuesday during Super Bowl Media Day. "Would I have dreamed it? No. Things happen like that sometimes. I think everything that went on, it was rough. But at the end of the day, we pulled through and I pulled through and we're here."

- See Big Blue View for more discussion and analysis of the Giants. For everything about the 2012 Super Bowl, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream.

Super Bowl 2012, Key Matchups: Tom Coughlin Vs. Bill Belichick

For three seasons with the New York Giants, in the late 80s, Tom Coughlin and Bill Belichick were star pupils of Bill Parcells. Coughlin was the Giants wide receivers coach while Belichick was the coordinator for the Giants suffocating defense. Ultimately, Belichick left the Giants to become the last head coach of the "original Cleveland Browns". Coughlin had a brief but successful stint as Boston College's head coach until becoming the first head coach of the NFL's expansion Jacksonville Jaguars franchise.

Meanwhile, in four out of his five seasons in Cleveland, Belichick failed to lead the Browns to a winning season and he resigned in 1995, when the team announced its move to Baltimore. Meanwhile, Coughlin led the newly minted, expansion Jacksonville Jaguars to the playoffs in four of his first five seasons as well as two AFC Championship Games. However, Coughlin failed to lead the Jaguars back to the playoffs.

Belichick and Coughlin nearly became New York rivals. In 2000, Belichick bizarrely resigned as Jets head coach, just one day into his tenure while reading off a crumpled sheet of paper and later accepted the Patriots head coaching position. In 2004, Coughlin accepted the challenge of becoming the head coach of the New York Giants. It would be seven years until Coughlin and Belichick would become major foils for one another in Super Bowl XLII.

They may have missed the shot at having their fates intersect as head coaches of New York's teams but they've since become rivals regardless.

Here's how their resumes stack up head-to-head.

Bill Belichick: 173-97-0 in the regular season. 17-6 in the postseason.

Tom Coughlin: 129-103 in the regular season. 10-7 in the postseason.

There's no doubt that Belichick has been the superior head coach for the past decade but somehow like a certain NFL quarterback Coughlin's teams mysteriously find an extra gear at crucial moments. Belichick's record is even more impressive when you consider that he was 36-44 as the Browns head coach in the early '90s and that he has won three Coach of the Year awards. Belichick's Patriots have only allowed 4 losses a season during his tenure as head coach.

21 years ago, Coughlin and Belichick were assistants on the Giants Super Bowl-winning staff. Belichick was the favored one but Coughlin was the one who shared the most similarities to Parcells.

"I think they do have an awful lot in common; I think their persona is just a little different on the part of each of them," Parcells said on the program. "Both of them were straight football guys, intense competitors, very thorough, quite intense in their preparations, and certainly both of them would get the information to the players very, very well.

"You know Bill Belichick was the son of a coach, I knew his father [Steve] very well. He came up [with] football all his life. Tom kind of took the same route I did as a coach, starting in a very, very small Division III school. He was mowing the grass and lining the fields, and doing all the tasks that a coach in one of those situations has to do. So he came up the hard way and people who do that learn the ropes. I think Bill was taught by his dad on what was necessary, and Tom, by his experience, starting off at a very low level as a coach -- I did the same things at Hastings College in Nebraska -- makes you appreciate it when things change for the better." via

ESPN Boston

Despite their shared roots and their matching Super Bowl XXV rings on Feb. 5, they'll be on opposite sidelines vying for a championship that only one can win for the second time. Belichick may have the superior record and more rings but until he beats the Giants in Sunday's Big Game, Coughlin will have the upper hand.

Kevin Gilbride Gets Rodney Dangerfield Treatment From Fans, Not From Players Or Analysts

2012 Super Bowl Media Day: Brandon Jacobs Says Plaxico Burress Wanted To Be A Giant

Brandon Jacobs is never at a loss for words. On Tuesday during his media day session, the hulking New York Giants running back stated that New York Jets wide receiver Plaxico Burress wanted to return to the Giants before this season.

"Oh, no question, I know he did. I know he wanted to come to the Giants. We just didn't think it was going to be able to be done financially," Jacobs said. "But he may be (back) next year, who knows?"

Of course, all of this is coming on the heels of the Jets collapsing down the stretch, including a back-breaking loss to their crosstown rivals.

Jacobs continued, saying he would be stunned if Burress returned for another round with Rex Ryan and the Jets.

"I don't see him there due to (the limited) success he had last year, and I don't think it had anything to do with him... and I'll leave it at that."

Burress was an intriguing figure in the off-season after missing two full years while serving his prison sentence. The Jets were able to bring him in with the idea of replacing Braylon Edwards, but he was never able to get in rhythm with Mark Sanchez.

Jacobs knows his ex-teammate in is a regretful mood after missing out on a chance to play deep into January and February.

"I talked to him a couple of weeks ago, when we were playing the 49ers, and he was like, 'This is crazy,' " Jacobs said. "Two of the teams he was looking at were playing in the NFC Championship Game."

2012 Super Bowl Media Day: Michael Boley Expects Rob Gronkowski To Play

New York Giants linebacker Michael Boley understands how difficult it will be for the New York Giants to handle New England Patriots tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez Sunday in Super Bowl XLVI.

Boley said he expects Gronkowski to play despite the high ankle sprain that has kept him out of practice since the Patriots’ AFC Championhsip Game victory over the Baltimore Ravens.

“Our whole mindset is that he is going to be 100 percent by game time, especially given a game of this magnitude. I can’t expect anything but his best," Boley said. “His size alone just creates a lot of problems for a lot of people. It’s rare to get tight ends his size that can actually run through the routes and get open, so the problem is not only his speed but also his route running.”

2012 Super Bowl Media Day: Osi Umenyiora 'Had To Swallow My Pride'

Super Bowl 2012 Media Day: Jason Pierre-Paul Says He Is Still Learning

Super Bowl 2012 Media Day: Mayhem In Indianapolis

Super Bowl 2012 Media Day: Eli Manning Talks About Peyton Manning ... Again

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning spent much of his Monday news conference talking about what the future might hold for his brother, Peyton. During the Super Bowl Media Day madness on Tuesday, the story was the same.

“Peyton’s going to do everything he can to get back healthy,” Eli told NFL Network’s Deion Sanders at Media Day. “He wants to continue to play football, and I think that’s the No. 1 priority right now, get him well, get him back at the level he was playing football. That’s the goal, and if he can do that, everything else will work itself out.”

In the first Media Day open to fans, Manning drew cheers from those wearing his brother’s famous No. 18 jersey when he mentioned how special it would be to see Peyton on the field in a Colts uniform next season.

“I’d love to see him back playing football again next year in Indianapolis, and hopefully, that’s the case,” Eli said. “Obviously, there are a lot of things that will get worked out, but the No. 1 thing, the No. 1 importance to him right now is getting back to 100 percent.”

Super Bowl 2012, Giants Vs. Patriots: Victor Cruz Looking To Exploit New England Secondary

The thought of facing the New England Patriots secondary brings a smile to Victor Cruz's face.

Asked by NFL Network analyst Deion Sanders during Tuesday's Super Bowl media day whether he smiles while looking at the Patriots' secondary, the Giants' star wide receiver laughed and noted, "A little."

Pushed further, Cruz noted, "You know, you're watching film and just naturally, when you see that one of their defensive backs is a wide receiver, and he's going to be potentially covering you, you automatically just get excited. You understand that's not his natural position and you want to do your best to exploit that. As a receiver and as a competitor in general, when you see a matchup you think you can exploit, you want to take advantage of it."

Cruz had a productive day against New England earlier this season despite not reaching the end zone, finishing with six catches for 91 yards during a 24-20 Giants victory on Nov. 6.

- See Big Blue View for more discussion and analysis of the Giants. For everything about the 2012 Super Bowl, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream.

Super Bowl 2012, Key Matchups: Giants Receivers Vs. Patriots Secondary

On paper, the New England Patriots shouldn’t be here. Not with the NFL’s 31^st ranked pass defense that allowed nearly 300 yards per game. For much of the season, throwing against the Pats secondary was as simple as playing monkey in the middle. The same Patriots secondary that allowed Joe Flacco to throw for over 300 yards in the AFC Championship Game was fortunate he didn’t throw for more. Flacco actually misfired on multiple downfield throws to wide open receivers. Against a better quarterback, New England would have been lit up for far more than 400 yards based on the atrocious coverage they displayed in the AFC Championship Game.

On Super Bowl Sunday, they will face an obviously superior quarterback in New York’s Eli Manning. Manning threw for a team-record 4,933 yards thanks to a dangerous trio of receivers. The Giants began the season with Mario Manningham and Nicks as their primary targets but an injury to Manningham paved the way for Victor Cruz to emerge as a elite receiver in the slot. Cruz has been brilliant after a rookie season that was spent on injured reserve. This season, Cruz caught 82 passes for a team-record 1,536 yards. Nicks recorded 76 catches for nearly 1,20 yards.Most importantly, Nicks’ size makes him Manning’s best option in the red zone and will remind Belichick’s Patriots of their unsuccessful attempts at covering Plaxico Burress in Super Bowl XLII.

Meanwhile, Bill Belichick’s secondary is built more like the government’s Cash For Clunkers program than a Super Bowl-caliber defense. Cornerback Sterling Moore was an undrafted free agent that was signed as a practice squad in October. Moore returned the Patriots investment by making the most clutch defensive play of the Patriots season when he knocked the go-ahead touchdown catch from the arms of Ravens receiver, Lee Evans arms with 22 seconds seconds remaining. New England’s starting safety, James Ihedigbo, spent the past three seasons as a special teams player for the New York Jets but hasn’t recorded an interception in 14 games as the starter.

Another stitch in the Patriots secondary is Julian Edelman, a slot receiver, punt returner and ex-college quarterback who has been used extensively at corner. For much of the AFC Championship Game, Edelman was tasked with covering Anquan Boldin. Boldin burned the Patriots secondary and Edelman for six catches and 101 yards. Belichick has converted wide receivers to the secondary before and vice versa. Former linebacker Mike Vrabel became known as one of the Patriots most reliable end zone targets.

Most recently, Troy Brown was Belichick’s Swiss army knife and switched back and forth for 15 seasons between the Patriots primary option at receiver, punt returner and part-time defensive back. However, Mario Manningham is relishing the opportunity to torch Edelman on Super Bowl Sunday.

I hope he’s out there when we play them," Manningham said, according to the Boston Herald. "I don’t want to sound like that, but you know what I mean. To our advantage, I hope he’s out there."

"It’s a different stage," Manningham said. "This ain’t regular season. That ain’t your real position, so we’re going to try to expose you. It’s all or nothing now. That ain’t your position, this is the Super Bowl and we want you to play that position." Via ESPN New York

Need further proof of the Patriots patchwork secondary? Look no further than Devin McCourty. After a stellar Pro Bowl rookie season at cornerback in 2010 for the Patriots, the Pats first round pick was shifted to safety during the final week of the regular season after struggling at cornerback this season. Amidst the Patriots rag tag group of defensive backs is Kyle Arrington, who led the NFL with seven interceptions in 2011.

Giants receivers such as Mario Manningham may look down on the Patriots secondary but once they trot onto the field they’ll have to respect whatever athletes New England throws at them. When he’s given two weeks to scheme, there’s no telling what or whom Darth Belichick will throw at the Giants receivers on Super Bowl Sunday.

Rob Gronkowski Injury Update: Patriots' Tight End Speaks At Super Bowl 2012 Media Day With No Walking Boot

Rob Gronkowski, the All-Pro tight end for the New England Patriots, was the center piece of the first two hours of the Super Bowl 20112 Media Day Tuesday, as the 6-foot-6, 245-pounder was asked question after question on his injured ankle, which was not protected by a walking boot for the first time in days.

"He said that shedding the boot was a sign of improvement, however, and added he was not wearing a compression wrap under his sock."

According to The New York Post's Justin Terranova, Gronkowski was asked about his current status frequently and answered with "day-to-day" about 10 times. Terranova said when Gronkowski was asked if he could play yet, the tight end responded:

"I don't know yet. I'm doing everything I can to help the team. I'm getting better every single day."

When asked about his chances of playing Sunday, Gronk said:

"[The game is] six days away," Gronkowski said. "I could be 100 percent by then. I could be 2 percent by then. We’re just taking it day by day.

"I’m young. I’m healthy, and I feel blessed like that. Whatever it is, I hope I’m a quick healer."

If Gronkowski is able to go Sunday, the New York Giants will have their hands full, as he set the NFL single-season record for touchdowns by a tight end (17) and receiving yards (1,327).

Gronkowski sustained his ankle injury during the AFC Championship game, which featured the Patriots defeating the Baltimore Ravens, 23-20.

— See Big Blue View for more discussion and analysis of the Giants. For everything about the 2012 Super Bowl, check back to this SB Nation New York StoryStream.

Super Bowl 2012 Halftime Show: Madonna Stage Setup Photos

Admit it. You might not be a fan of Madonna. You are, however, curious what the often controversial 53-year-old performer will do Sunday during the Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Show at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Well, the folks at the entertainment and gossip site TMZ snapped some photos recently of the stage being built for Madonna's performance. One of those photos is shown below, and several more can be found at TMZ.

Madonna told Jay Leno earlier this week that the Super Bowl performance was "the most nerve-racking thing I've ever done ... "The Super Bowl is like the Holy of Holies of America...And I have to go on in the middle of that 'Holy of Holies' and put on the greatest show that was ever put on before."

I don't know about that. Maybe all Madonna has to do is be better than the Black Eyed Peas were a year ago, which should not be difficult. Oh, and make sure there are no wardrobe malfunctions.

Former Rutgers' DB, Devin McCourty, Talks Greg Schiano At Super Bowl 2012

The Rutgers football program has been going through a very tumultuous time since former head coach Greg Schiano left for the NFL last Thursday. On Monday, former Scarlet Knights, now New England Patriots corner back, Devin McCourty addressed the departure of Schiano and the future of the program.

"It is kind of bittersweet," said McCourty, who was a part of the famous recruiting Class of 2005 and was selected 27th overall by the Patriots in the '09 NFL Draft. "He is a big part of my development as a player, and as a person. But, you have to be happy for him. I don't know any coach in that profession that doesn't dream about being a head coach at the highest level of football. To get that opportunity, I think that's great for him.

"But, as a proud alum, seeing him go after the job he has done there at Rutgers. People said we were probably one of the worst programs in college football and then to build it up to what it is today. But, I am sure they will find a replacement and he will do a good job too."

For more on Rutgers football and its recruiting and coaching situation, click the respective SB Nation New York links. Meanwhile, for everything on Super Bowl 2012, visit this StoryStream. For more on McCourty or the New England Patriots visit the SB Nation blog Pats Pulpit.

Super Bowl 2012, Giants Vs. Patriots: Devin McCourty Talks Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks, Eli Manning

Former Rutgers football defensive back Devin McCourty is playing in his first Super Bowl, as his current team, the New England Patriots, will face the New York Giants Sunday (6:30 p.m. on NBC) in Super Bowl XLVI. On Monday, McCourty fielded some questions from the media and mainly talked about how lucky he is for getting the opportunity to play in Super Bowl 2012 in just his second season in the NFL after playing at Rutgers for four years.

"...Talking to the other guys on our team and other friends that I have made that are veterans, to be at this level in only my second year, you have got to be grateful for it," said McCourty, who was picked 27th overall by the Patriots in the '09 NFL Draft. "I think the biggest thing, is just trying to take advantage of the opportunity of being here - working hard, studying hard and getting ready to go for this game."

McCourty, a native of Nyack, N.Y. and a member of Rutgers Football's famous recruiting class of 2005, which includes him and All-Pro running back Ray Rice, will be going up against two solid wide receivers in the Giants' Victory Cruz and Hakeem Nicks.

"It's a very difficult challenge," said McCourty. "I think it all starts with their offense, how balanced they are with a good running game, a good quarterback and they have three very good weapons outside at receiver. We are really going to have to prepare and come to play, because any of the three of those guys are capable of having big games."

As for trying to contain Giants' quarterback Eli Manning, McCourty said the Patriots secondary needs to contain his big-play ability.

"...A lot of times when it's time to make a big play, he is doing it. Whether it's scrambling or throwing a perfect pass. So, I think the biggest thing is we have to be disciplined and we have to do a good job covering guys because he is going to put the ball there."

— See Big Blue View for more discussion and analysis of the Giants. Check out, On The Banks for all your Rutgers coverage.

The Top 5: Biggest Playoff Wins For New York Teams Vs. Boston

2012 Super Bowl, Giants Vs. Patriots: Antrel Rolle Says 'My Teammates Understand Me'

Antrel Rolle’s weekly radio appearance on WFAN has become a must-listen for New York Giants fans and reporters. Whether it has been on WFAN or elsewhere, Rolle has proven a talent for making headlines during his two seasons with the Giants.

Even the talkative safety understands, though, that the Giants can’t win Super Bowl XLVI against the New England Patriots by talking about it.

“The game (still) has to be played on Sunday. And the only thing that is going to determine the outcome of the game are the players in the game, who’s going to take the field and who’s going to be on either side,” Rolle said Monday during his news conference. "No talk, no media, no speculation, no parties, none of that stuff is really relevant at this point.”

Rolle was also asked about his outspoken personality.

“My teammates understand me and that’s the only people I really care (about) who need to understand me,” Rolle said. "They know that I’ve never been a problem, I’ll never be a problem, and everything I say is for the betterment of this team. They understand that and we’re moving forward.”

2012 Super Bowl: Giants Vs. Patriots: Tom Coughlin Says 'It's Not About Me'

2012 Super Bowl, Giants Vs. Patriots: Eli Manning Press Conference, 01.30.12

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning has been asked a lot of questions about his brother, Peyton, in the past week. That continued Monday during Manning’s press conference after the team landed in Indianapolis for the 2012 Super Bowl against the New England Patriots.

Eli said that the main thing he has learned from his brother’s situation with the Indianapolis Colts is to treasure his opportunities.

“If you play this game long enough you realize how precious each season is. How precious these opportunities are. You don’t know if you’re going to get a chance to play in another Super, you don’t know when a season is going to get cut short.”

“When you have an opportunity and you can go win a championship you don’t want to let those opportunities slip away.”

Manning also again deflected questions about his legacy if the Giants win a second Super Bowl with him as quarterback.

“You don’t think about that as a player. You concentrate on the opponent, try to keep your mind focused on the job," Manning said. "If you get concerned with other things that takes your mind off what your job has to be this coming Sunday.”

2012 Super Bowl, Giants Vs. Patriots: 2011 An 'Eye-Opening Experience' For Justin Tuck

New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck has fought through an injury-plagued season, dealing with neck, ankle, groin and now shoulder injuries. The result has been that Tuck’s performance has been far below the two-time Pro Bowlers standards.

Yet, Tuck and the Giants have reached the 2012 Super Bowl against the New England Patriots. Tuck called the 2011 season an “eye-opening experience” during a press conference Sunday after the Giants landed in Indianapolis.

“I want to be the leader this football team can always look to. I thought I had to do that only by what I do on the football field. Only sacks and tackles, things like that,” Tuck said. "This has been an eye-opening experience for me knowing that leadership doesn’t necessarily have to do with how you play on the field, it has to do with what goes on behind closed doors and how you can motivate guys in other situations.

“I’ve learned a lot this year. It’s made me a better football player, better person.”

— See Big Blue View for more discussion and analysis of the Gants

2012 Super Bowl, Giants Vs. Patriots: Rob Gronkowski Injury Update, Patriots Tight End Misses Practice

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski did not practice on Monday according to Patriots head coach Bill Belichick (via Dan Hellie's Twitter).

Gronkowski injured his ankle (high ankle sprain) during the AFC Championship Game win over the Baltimore Ravens. He was not in Patriots practice sessions last week. Last Friday, he was listed as questionable for the Super Bowl against the Giants.

When the Patriots arrived in Indianapolis yesterday to begin their preparations for the Super Bowl, Gronkowski was seen on the airport tarmac in a walking boot.

The Pro Bowl tight end has played a big role in the Patriots success this season and has 90 catches for 1,327 yards and 17 touchdowns going into the Super Bowl.

For more on the Giants, head over to the SB Nation blog Big Blue View. For more on the Patriots, check out Pats Pulpit. Stay tuned to our StoryStream for more updates.

Super Bowl 2012: Madden 12 Sim Predicts Giants' Victory

Eli Manning has earned a reputation as a fourth-quarter assassin, and the New York Giants have relied on the right foot of Lawrence Tynes multiple times to finish off games, including last weekend in the NFC Championship. Could the tandem do it again on Super Bowl Sunday?

EA Sports released a Madden '12 Super Bowl simulation that predicted a 27-24 victory for the Giants against the New England Patriots. The video game projection has Tynes drilling a field goal as time expires to break a 24-24 tie.

In the simulation, Manning throws for two touchdowns and (presumably) leads the Giants down the field to set up the Tynes game-winning field goal, after the Patriots score with 1:50 remaining to tie the score.

In real life, Tynes admitted he has envisioned striking a walk-off kick to win Sunday's Super Bowl. (via The New York Daily News)

"It's something you think more about as the game gets closer," Tynes said Sunday at an autograph signing with punter Steve Weatherford in Midland Park, N.J. "I'd imagine it would be pretty cool. Adam Vinatieri's gotten to experience that twice. I think it's about anything you can do to help the team win at this point . . . but to have a walk-off, that would be special."

For more on the Giants, head over to the SB Nation blog Big Blue View. For more on the Patriots, check out Pats Pulpit. Stay tuned to our StoryStream for more updates.

Super Bowl 2012, Giants Vs. Patriots: Injured Ann Mara Would Crawl To Indianapolis If She Had To

A broken shoulder will not be enough to keep Ann Mara, the widow of long-time New York Giants owner Wellington Mara, from attending Sunday's Super Bowl against the New England Patriots.

"If I had to crawl to Indianapolis I'd be there," Mara told ESPNNewYork.com by phone. "I have no intention of staying home. I'll be ready to go on the plane on Thursday."

Mara broke her shoulder in a fall last Sunday, one day after the New York Giants ousted the San Francisco 49ers in the AFC Championship game, and Mara herself became a viral sensation for a brief post-game exchange with Fox studio analyst Terry Bradshaw.

Mara intruded on an interview Bradshaw was conducting with Victor Cruz to tell the broadcaster he doesn't predict enough Giants wins.

"I couldn't wait to go up to him, because he never, ever picks us," Mara said, "but I didn't know we were on TV. We were in the locker room; I didn't expect there to be cameras in there.

"And now I'm getting mail from all over the country. People are sending my picture from the paper and asking me to autograph it, and I'm getting so many flowers now that I thought I was being waked."

Mara said she will have more x-rays on Tuesday and needs to wear a sling.

For more on the Giants, head over to the SB Nation blog Big Blue View. For more on the Patriots, check out Pats Pulpit. Stay tuned to our StoryStream for more updates.

2012 Super Bowl Prop Bets: Tom Brady 13-10 To Win MVP, Eli Manning 5-2

Super Bowl 2012, Key Matchups: David Baas Vs. Vince Wilfork

When he steps between the hash marks on Sundays, it’s Vince Wilfork’s world and opposing offensive lineman are just living in it. At least that’s what you’d surmise based on his recent playoff performances against the Broncos and Ravens. It’s also an appropriate phrase for a player with Wilfork’s immense size and equally vast abilities. Wilfork has the versatility to line up at the end but on Super Bowl Sunday, it will most likely be Giants center, David Baas’ responsibility to keep Wilfork in front of him and out of the backfield. Although Wilfork is generously listed at 325, he’s likely bigger based on his appearance and after watching him gobble up opposing lineman, running backs and quarterbacks this season.

Wilfork is also deceptively quick and coordinated for a defensive tackle of his size. Against the Chargers in September, Wilfork picked off a Phillip Rivers pass at the line of scrimmage by tipping it to himself and then rumbling down the sideline for a 30-yard gain.

"They’ve got a load," New England Patriots defensive end Mark Anderson said about the Giants’ offensive line. "Quick. His size, he looks like he might be slow if you don’t know him, but once he gets on the field ...."

via NJ.com

Not only does Wilfork have the capacity to shut down opposing rushing attacks but he also disrupts opposing offenses in passing situations by generating enough sheer power to bullrush through offensive lineman or to block them into the path of the quarterback. The Patriots secondary is among the league’s worse and their linebackers won’t apply the same suffocating pressure as the 49ers vaunted pass rush but Wilfork has an uncommon acumen for making big plays at crucial moments.

Against Baltimore, Wilfork blew up Ravens center Matt Birk on play after play and broke into the backfield for a crucial third down sack of Joe Flacco. Late in the fourth quarter, with the Ravens driving into Patriots territory Wilfork tackled running back Ray Lewis for a loss on third down and then singlehandedly pressured Joe Flacco into an incompletion on fourth down.

Conversely, Baas struggled against 49ers center Ray McDonald, whom Wilfork outweighs by 30-40 pounds. The entire Giants offensive line, including Baas struggled blocking in one-on-one situations and by night’s end, the back of Eli’s white and Blue Giants uniform had the appearance of a game-worn Tim Couch, Cleveland Browns throwback.

Containing Wilfork will be integral to the Giants keeping Eli Manning off his back and putting points on the scoreboard. The key to slowing down Wilfork will be to put Baas in situations where he has help blocking Wilfork and by using an extra blocker to pick up blitzers. Against the Atlanta Falcons, the Giants excelled in pass protection by using tight end Jake Ballard in protection on passing downs against the Falcons four-man front. >

Despite Wilfork’s presence the Giants shouldn’t surrender another six sacks like they did against San Francisco but Wilfork’s presence will repeatedly pose problems for the Giants 32^nd ranked rushing offense. However, when Eli is given enough time to throw, the Giants passing attack is among the league’s elite and is able to offset their rushing weaknesses. Much of their success on Super Bowl Sunday depends on how well the Giants offensive line can scheme to prevent Wilfork from disrupting the timing between Eli and his receivers.

Super Bowl 2012 Predictions: Strippers 'All In' With Giants

Super Bowl 2012: The Plight Of The Jets Fan

The world will be watching the Patriots and Giants on Sunday in Super Bowl 46. What are Jets fans supposed to do?

Tom Brady Press Conference 01.29.12: New England QB Knows What He Will Face

Bill Belichick Press Conference: Patriots Coach Tired Of Talking About 2008

Super Bowl 2012, Giants Vs. Patriots: Rob Gronkowski Has High Ankle Sprain, Will Play Sunday

Rob Gronkowski received some good news, apparently. According to a league source speaking to Pro Football Talk, the New England Patriots tight end will be able to play in the 2012 Super Bowl against the New York Giants. He was a diagnosed with a dreaded high ankle sprain, however, and may not be able to practice at all prior to the game.

Gronkowski was held out of practice throughout this past week while resting an ankle injury suffered against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game. He has been the only Patriots player to not practice at all in preparation for the Super Bowl. Gronkowski will likely need surgery following the season.

There's no telling how rusty he will be after going two weeks without practice, but a full complement of weapons will be a huge boost to Tom Brady and the Pats offense. Then again, the Giants are catching a big break by facing the All-Pro tight end at something significantly less than 100 percent.

For more on the Giants, head over to the SB Nation blog Big Blue View. For more on the Patriots, check out Pats Pulpit. Stay tuned to our StoryStream for more updates.

2012 Super Bowl, Giants Vs. Patriots: Position-By-Position, Special Teams

Super Bowl 2012, Giants Vs. Patriots: Position-By-Position, The Defenses

Super Bowl 2012 Schedule: Patriots Arrive In Indy Sunday, Giants Monday

It is officially the Sunday before Super Bowl Sunday, and that means one thing: The arrival of both the New York Giants and New England Patriots is less than 24 hours away. On Sunday, the Patriots (13-3) will arrive in Indianapolis (see picture below of New England loading its team buses Sunday afternoon), while the Giants touch down Monday.

via p.twimg.com

The biggest story lines of the week will revolve around the rematch of the 2008 Super Bowl, which will feature a lot of highlights of former Giants wide receiver making "The Helmet Catch" that helped New York down the Patriots, 17-14; the injury status of Patriots All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowksi, who's battling a bad ankle; and the comparison of the two featured quarterbacks -- Eli Manning (Giants) and Tom Brady (Patriots).

On Tuesday, both franchises will hold media days, as the Patriots will begin theirs at 10 a.m. ET, while the Giants will have theirs at noon. Both teams will hold their regular practices during the week in preparation for next Sunday's 6:30 p.m. ET kick off time. The game will be televised on NBC.

— See Big Blue View for complete Giants discussion and analysis. See SB Nation’s StoryStream for even more Super Bowl XLVI coverage.

Survey: Fifteen Percent Would Miss Birth Of Child To Attend Super Bowl

2012 Super Bowl: Giants Aim To 'Kill The Snake'

For New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck, the 2012 Super Bowl against the New England Patriots comes down to one thing. That is the Giants ability — or inability — to put pressure on Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

“The way to kill the snake is to take off his head. The way to kill an offense as potent as that one is making sure you take care of Brady,” Tuck said. “Our defensive front will put a lot of pressure on itself to make sure that we do our best to get after him.”

The Giants were successful in doing that in the 2008 Super Bowl, pounding Brady and harassing him as the Giants won, 17-14. They also did that well in a 24-20 victory over New England during the 2011 season.

“Look at ’07. That was pretty much the reason why we were in the game, because we kept him off-rhythm. Obviously he is the main reason why [the Patriots] are successful,” Tuck said.

2012 Super Bowl: Giants Coughlin Says 'I Don't Think I'm That Different'

New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin may smile more than he used to. He is probably a little looser at times around his players and the media. The veteran Giants coach, the league’s oldest head coach at 65, doesn’t think he has changed all that much, however.

“I don’t think I’m that different. The principals, the values, what we believe are important, those things are all the same,” Coughlin said during his Friday news conference. “The virtues are all practiced the same way. I think maybe I’m a little more patient.”

Coughlin was asked what a coach’s primary task was during the two weeks leading up to the Super Bowl. The answer he gave was vintage Coughlin:

“Be as organized as you possibly can. Be as efficient in terms of your preparation. Make sure your players understand that when we’re working, we’re working and when they do have some time to themselves and obviously that’s their time, but make sure that in the time that we’re studying and we’re meeting and practicing that all of our focus and attention is on this game,” Coughlin said. “You don’t want any regrets. You don’t want to leave anything on the field.”

2012 Super Bowl, Giants Vs. Patriots: Brandon Jacobs Says Of 2008, 'Fluke Or Not, We Won The Game'

New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs bristled Friday when asked if he thought the New England Patriots viewed the Giants 2008 Super Bowl victory over the 18-0 Patriots as a “fluky win.”

“I have no idea, I am not in their locker room and I haven’t spoken to them to tell you if they’re thinking that,” Jacobs said. “If that is what they are thinking, if it’s a fluke, we still have the ring. So fluke or not, we won the game.”

See The Full Transcript

Jacobs said the Giants “haven’t changed anything” in their approach on offense since that upset victory over New England.

“We are still doing the same things,” Jacobs said. :We just ran the ball a little bit better then and I hope we can get the run going again."

— See Big Blue View for complete Giants discussion and analysis. See SB Nation’s StoryStream for even more Super Bowl XLVI coverage.

2012 Super Bowl, Giants Vs. Patriots: Position-By-Position, The Offenses

2012 Super Bowl: President Barack Obama Not Picking Giants Or Patriots

President Barack Obama is not going to make a Super Bowl prediction this year as he did when he picked the Saints over the Colts (via ABC News)

Diane Sawyer tried to get Obama to weigh in on the game, but he declined saying that

"I can't call it. I can't call it," Obama told ABC News' Diane Sawyer in an exclusive interview. "When the [Chicago] Bears are not involved, I can't make predictions because I will get into trouble. But both are great teams. Brady obviously one of the best quarterbacks we've ever seen. Eli Manning playing as well as he's ever played, and it's going to be a fun Super Bowl."

When asked if he'd rather be Tom Brady or Eli Manning, Obama hedged saying he's a fan of both teams

"I can't throw a spiral as well as either of those two guys, so you know, but I'm a huge fan of both teams," he replied.

For the latest news on the 2012 Super Bowl, check back to the SB Nation New York StoryStream. See Big Blue View for more discussion about the Giants, and Pats Pulpit for the New England side of the story.

2012 Super Bowl, Giants Vs. Patriots: Rob Gronkowski Injury Update

Tight end Rob Gronkowski remains the only member of the New England Patriots who is not practicing as the team prepares to face the New York Giants in the 2012 Super BOwl Feb. 5 in Indianapolis.

Gronkowski has what is being called a high ankle sprain, suffered in the Patriots 23-20 AFC Championship Game victory over the Baltimore Ravens.

Gronkowski had had 90 catches for 1,327 receiving yards and a record-setitng 17 touchdowns this season, most ever for a tight end in a single season.

Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez form the most impressive duo of tight ends in the NFL. Most reports expect that Gronkowski will play vs. the Giants.

The Giants had several players miss practice on Thursday. The most serious might be rookie linebacker Jacquian Williams, who was apparently wearing a walking boot.

— See Big Blue View to join the discussion with Giants fans. You can see Pats Pulpit for the New England viewpoint.

2012 Super Bowl, Giants Vs. Patriots: Osi Umenyiora Vs. Matt Light, Round 3?

Maybe it is a good thing that since the playoffs began the New York Giants have been using defensive end Osi Umenyiora on both sides rather than just his customary spot on the right end.

While meeting with reporters today Umenyiora made reference to the fact that he has been in two fights during his NFL career, and both are with New England Patriots left tackle Matt Light.

“There’s something he’s doing that reeeealy gets under my skin,” Umenyiora said.

Umenyiora jokingly added that since he no longer plays every down he might pick a third fight with Light and try to get him thrown out so Jason Pierre-Paul and Justin Tuck can “have a field day.”

After missing the final four games of the regular season with a severe ankle injury Umenyiora has been a pass-rushing force for the Giants in the playoffs. He has 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble in three playoff games.

2012 Super Bowl Predictions: Prognosticating Camel Picks The New York Giants

How can the New York Giants lose the 2012 Super Bowl now? Forget the fact that the 12-7 Giants are three-point underdogs to the 15-3 New England Patriots. The Giants have been chosen by Princess the Camel, whose prognosticating skills should make Las Vegas oddsmakers cringe with jealousy.

Princess, a resident of New Jersey’s New Jersey’s Popcorn Park Zoo, has picked the winner of five of the past six Super Bowls. She went 14 and 6 predicting regular-season and playoff games this year, and has a lifetime record of 88-51.

The Associated Press reports that Princess makes her pick by choosing between two crackers with the teams names written on them. Whichever one she nibbles is her selection.

‘’It started out when a local radio station was looking to have some fun, so they asked Princess who was going to win a particular game each week, and it just took off from there,’’ [zoo general manager John] Bergmann said. ‘’Now we have guys calling up on Sunday morning wanting to know who Princess has picked that week. One guy even asked if she does lottery numbers.’’

Super Bowl 2012, Giants Vs. Patriots: New York Giants Injury Report

The New York Giants welcomed the practice returns of running back Ahmad Bradshaw, center David Baas and linebacker Chase Blackburn on Friday as the team continues preparation for next Sunday's Super Bowl against the New England Patriots, according to Newsday's Tom Rock.

Cornerback Corey Webster, wide receiver Hakeem Nicks, cornerback Will Blackmon and linebacker Jacquian Williams all missed Friday's session.

After several Giants missed practice on Thursday, Coughlin said he would be patient with getting players back onto the field. (via Big Blue View)

"We are trying to be smart and not aggravate something that is there that will be able to be managed in a short amount of time and make sure that there is not anything else that happens," Coughlin said.

- See Big Blue View to join the discussion with Giants fans. You can visit Pats Pulpit to get the Patriots perspective.

Super Bowl 2012: Victor Cruz Understands His Good Fortune

One of the great things about the Victor Cruz story — from nowhere, to UMass, to undrafted free agent, to New York Giants mega-star — is that the salsa-dancing wide receiver has maintained his humility. Cruz, whose Giants play the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI, understands the uniqueness of his story.

" It’s starting to hit me now. Once I spoke to my friend Mike Adams, he’s out of Paterson and plays for the Cleveland Browns. I speak to him all of the time. He told me, ‘Man, I’ve played this game about 11 years now and I haven’t even made it to the postseason.,’ " Cruz said. “That really says a lot about how fortunate I am, how fortunate I am just to be here. For a guy like that who has paid his dues in this league and hasn’t even made it to the postseason is definitely tough. It shows you how tough this league is and how hard it is to win each and every week. I’m just a fortunate guy. It’s really starting to sink in – how rare my story is and how far I’ve come.”

— See the transcripts of all the interview of Giants players this week in the Big Blue View Transcripts section.

Super Bowl 2012: Eli Manning Not Worried About His Legacy

If the New York Giants win the 2012 Super Bowl quarterback Eli Manning will become only the 11th quarterback in NFL history with two Super Bowl titles. Seven of those are already in the NFL Hall of Fame.

Manning said Thursday, however, that his legacy is not something he thinks about.

“My job is to try to play at a high level, try to play football for the Giants. I think the important thing when you play in big games, like a Super Bowl, is don’t let the fact that it is a big game make you think about other things. You have to keep it simple in a sense of this is a great opportunity for this team, for this organization to win a championship. That’s the important thing,” said Manning. “When you start thinking about other things or what this might mean, that’s when you’re really distracted from what your job has to be.”

— See the transcripts of all the interview of Giants players this week in the Big Blue View Transcripts section.

Super Bowl 2012: Tom Coughlin Says 'This Team Was Pretty Much Written Off'

New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin admitted Thursday that having his team “pretty much written off at one point in time,” makes this Super Bowl appearance even more special.

“It is an opportunity to be in the biggest game of them all again and that is exciting. That is what you work for,” Coughlin said. “That whole year is about planning and preparing for this opportunity and for us, this team was pretty much written off at one point in time, so that makes it even more significant for all of us.”

The Giants were 7-7 with just two games remaining in the regular season and had lost five of six games. They have now won five straight elimination games to reach the 2012 Super Bowl against the New England Patriots.

— See Big Blue View to join the discussion with Giants fans. You can visit Pats Pulpit to get the Patriots perspective.

Super Bowl 2012, Giants Injury Report: Ahmad Bradshaw, Hakeem Nicks Did Not Practice, Osi Umenyiora Limited

The New York Giants released their injury report today as they prepare for their Super Bowl rematch with the New England Patriots on Feb. 5. There were seven Giants listed on it who did not participate in practice on Thursday. Defensive end Osi Umenyiora (ankle/knee) was limited in practice.

Here's the Giants' list of guys who didn't practice today:

C David Baas (abdomen)

LB Chase Blackburn (calf)

DB Will Blackmon (knee)

RB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot)

WR Hakeem Nicks (shoulder)

DB Corey Webster (Hamstring)

LB Jacquian Williams (foot)

The Patriots also released their injury report today. Tight end Rob Gronkowski was again not practicing. Twelve players were limited: WR Deion Branch (knee), T Marcus Cannon (ankle), S Pat Chung (foot), LB Dane Fletcher (thumb), S James Ihedigbo (shoulder), DT Kyle Love (ankle), OG Logan Mankins (knee), LB Rob Ninkovich (hip), LB Brandon Spikes (knee), T Sebastian Vollmer (foot, back), WR Wes Welker (knee) and LB Tracy White (abdomen). Center Dan Connolly (groin) and Matthew Slater (shoulder) were listed as full participants in today's practice.

For the latest news on the 2012 Super Bowl, check back to the SB Nation New York StoryStream. See Big Blue View for more discussion about the Giants, and Pats Pulpit for the New England side of the story.

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Super Bowl 2012, Giants Vs. Patriots: Projected Injury Report

The New York Giants and New England Patriots did not practice today in preparation for Super Bowl XLVI. In the strange NFL world of Super Bowl hype, however, the teams were still required to release injury reports.

Below, then, are your imaginary “if they had practiced this is what it would have looked like” injury reports. Ridiculous, of course. Then again, so are many things about the buildup for the Super Bowl.

Related: Does two-week layoff help or hurt the Giants?

Ann Mara, widow of the late Giants owner Wellington Mara, is the one who should be on the injury report. The 82-year-old is “probable” after falling and breaking her shoulder.

Giants

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

RB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot), WR Hakeem Nicks (shoulder), S Tyler Sash (concussion)

LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

DE Osi Umenyiora (ankle, knee)

Patriots

DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE

TE Rob Gronkowski (ankle)

LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE

WR Deion Branch (knee), T Marcus Cannon (ankle), S Patrick Chung (knee), LB Dane Fletcher (thumb), S James Ihedigbo (shoulder), DT Kyle Love (ankle), G Logan Mankins (knee), LB Rob Ninkovich (hip), LB Brandon Spikes (knee), T Sebastian Vollmer (back, foot), WR Wes Welker (knee), LB Tracy White (abdomen)

Super Bowl 2012, Giants Vs. Patriots: Ann Mara Breaks Shoulder, 'Probable' For Super Bowl

Ann Mara, widow of long-time New York Giants owner Wellington Mara and mother of current Giants president John Mara, fell and broke her shoulder Monday morning just one day after chiding Terry Bradshaw on television, as reported by ESPN New York.

Mara, 82, fell in church on her way back from receiving communion, her son John confirmed in an email to ESPN New York. John Mara joked in the email that his mother is considered "probable" for next Sunday's Super Bowl.

As Bradshaw tried to interview Victor Cruz Sunday after New York's victory against the San Francisco 49ers, Mara interrupted the Fox studio analyst and scolded him for never picking the Giants to win.

Since then, several Giants have spoken in support of Mara's actions. Safety Antrel Rolle said Mara's passion represents what makes the Giants franchise special.

"That's what it's about, man. When I say all on deck, I don't just mean the men in the locker room. That's the custodian, that's the cooks, everybody, we're all on deck, and that's what it's all about. And we're all one here, we're all one in this organization. Us as players, we don't go through things on our own. Our families go through it with us, the fans, the people within the organization and even the cooks in the cafeteria, they are extremely excited about what's going on. They don't share those memories with us on the field, but you know they share it with us in spirit, and in their hearts, and that's something you have to look forward to and something we appreciate going in and grabbing a meal each and every day. Those guys are very appreciative and full of warm graces, hugs. It's the little things like that that make you keep going and make you keep fighting."

For the latest news on the 2012 Super Bowl, check back to the SB Nation New York StoryStream. See Big Blue View for more discussion about the Giants, and Pats Pulpit for the New England side of the story.

Eli Manning Admits Facing Tom Brady In Another Super Bowl Is 'A Little Strange'

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Super Bowl 2012, Giants Vs. Patriots: Eli Manning Prepares Teammates For Distractions

Eli Manning has been here before, except that when he was making his first Super Bowl appearance the likes of Michael Strahan and Amani Toomer were the leaders in the New York Giants locker room trying to keep the team on an even keel. Four years later, Manning has assumed that same leadership role. On Tuesday, he addressed his teammates to let them know that they need to treat their upcoming game against the New England Patriots just like any other game, as difficult as that may be.

"If there are certain things you do during a normal week, once you're in Indianapolis - if you get a massage on certain days or if you get treatment or if you get an extra workout in - you want to try to continue to do those things," Manning said. "You want to try to stay in that same rhythm, have that same schedule. It is going to be thrown off. You will have to work around it somewhat, but you want to keep things as routine as possible."

Of course, trying to keep a normal routine just before the biggest game of one's life is easier said then done, especially when dealing with the extreme media circus. Manning is still facing questions about comments he made prior to the season where he put himself among the elite quarterbacks in the league alongside Tom Brady.

"I thought I gave an honest answer," Manning said. "I didn't regret it at the time or think anything of it at the time. Obviously it's been made into a big deal, but I can't always control that. I'm worried about getting ready to play this game and go out there and play my best football and get the team to play our best football."

Head over to Big Blue View for a full transcript of Manning's press conference on Tuesday.

For the latest news on the 2012 Super Bowl, check back to the SB Nation New York StoryStream. See Big Blue View for more discussion about the Giants, and Pats Pulpit for the New England side of the story.

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2012 Super Bowl, Giants Vs. Patriots: John Mara Praises Giants, Tom Coughlin

New York Giants co-owner John Mara joined Mike Francesa on WFAN this week to discuss the Giants run to the 2012 Super Bowl, where they will again face the New England Patriots.

Sports Radio Interviews has the full transcript. We have key excerpts below:

What are your thoughts as you prepare to take this team to a Super Bowl?

“It’s just so hard to put into words. It’s been such an unpredictable year. To go through that four-game losing streak and then come out of there with a big win in Dallas and then to come back and just play a terrible game against the Redskins here at home. All sorts of thoughts go through your mind at that point. Then we win that Jets game and we just seem to get on a roll at that point. I just like the way we are playing right now. I think we have a chance in a couple of weeks, but it’s such an unpredictable business. That is why you can’t be impulsive. You gotta be patient and let the season play itself out and not get too hysterical when a couple of games go the wrong way, but I’m just proud of this group of players and these coaches. They never stopped believing in themselves. They work as hard as any group that I have ever seen. We’re kind of on a roll right now. I just hope we got one more in us.”

You have always shown Tom Coughlin a lot of support:

“Well he deserves it. He’s been a great coach for us and I think it is fair to say he is under appreciated around here. Hopefully that will change right now because he has done a great job and if you just look at the way the players respond to him in the games and in practice and in the locker room you can see he still has their attention and he gets them to play on a very high level with a lot of effort and he has them prepared for every conceivable situation out there. No detail is too small for him and we are just very fortunate to have him as our head coach.”

2012 Super Bowl: Ravens' Bernard Pollard Is Rooting For The Giants

Let’s just say it appears that Baltimore Ravens defensive back Bernard Pollard still appears to be bitter about his team’s 23-20 loss Sunday to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. Pollard said during a radio appearance this week that he hoped the New York Giants “put a thrashing on the Patriots.”

“I really hope the Giants – I just hope they just put a thrashing on the Patriots. I really do. To lose to a team like that the way we played. We played a good game,” Pollard said. “You gotta look at the experience of the team. You gotta look at what do the Giants have? They got a front four that is relentless. They got a secondary that is really, really good. They got a linebacking core that has been with them. The dinking and the dunking man? It’s just not going to happen.”

Giants fans, of course, want the same thing Pollard does.

Super Bowl 2012, Giants Vs. Patriots: Bill Belichick Voices Respect For Tom Coughlin

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick voiced considerable respect for New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin during a conference call on Monday, less than two weeks before the two coaches meet in the Super Bowl.

"I have a lot of respect for Tom. I think he's definitely stood the test of time in a couple organizations: in Jacksonville and at the Giants. Of course, BC [Boston College] but I'm saying at the NFL level, he's withstood the test of time. He's tough; his teams are disciplined. They play with great competitiveness and play smart. They're a good situational football team. They force you to go out there and beat them. They do a lot of things well. That's kind of the way Tom is: Tom is tough, he's very detailed, he has a lot of experience, he's an intense coach and I think that's reflected in the way his teams play."

Belichick called Coughlin a good friend, noting the time they spent together on the Giants staff while both were just NFL coaching infants.

"When I was the secondary coach and Tom was the receivers coach at the Giants, we worked against each other daily and we also had great rapport off the field of helping each other out, talking about the different techniques and players of our upcoming opponents and suggestions of how to cover them or run routes, helping each other out on things like that as well as working with each other on the practice field. Of all the coaches I've worked with, it was as good as any. I had an excellent relationship with him for us being on opposite sides of the ball, but being able to help each other and our players help each other and have a good, healthy competitive situation, but also you've got the coach on the other side trying to help you and you trying to help them just get better. That certainly helped our secondary when I was with the Giants."

-- For the latest news on the 2012 Super Bowl, check back to the SB Nation New York StoryStream. See Big Blue View for more discussion about the Giants, and Pats Pulpit for the New England side of the story.

Tom Coughlin: Tim Tebow Of The Coaching Community

Tom Coughlin has been compared to Bill Parcells, Bill Cowher and Bill Belichick but the Giants fiery head coach shares more in common with the Denver Broncos superstar quarterback, Tim Tebow. When the critics put his back against the wall and put his job in jeopardy all he does in win.

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For complete Giants news and analysis, check out SB Nation's Big Blue View.

Giants' Justin Tuck Credits Victory Over Jets As Starting Point For Super Bowl 2012 Run

The New York Jets may not have made the playoffs, but New York Giants' defensive tackle Justin Tuck said Sunday that they did play a part in the Giants' postseason run to the 2012 Super Bowl.

“You can say that, since we haven’t lost since then,” the New York Post's Bert Hubbuch quoted Tuck, who commented after the Giants thrilling 20-17 overtime victory over the San Fransisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game. “That week was an emotional week for everyone. We started to click that week."

Tuck is referring to the Giants' 29-14 "road" victory, Dec. 24, over the Jets, who talked trash the Giants through the media the week before the big New York showdown.

"..We just found that 11 guys playing as one is hard to beat,” Tuck said. “A lot of this season, we played as individuals. But not anymore. We’ve got that confidence now that, if it’s close, we’re going to come together and pull it out.”

-- For the latest news on the 2012 Super Bowl, check back to the SB Nation New York StoryStream. See Big Blue View for more discussion about the Giants, and Pats Pulpit for the New England side of the story.

Rob Gronkowski Injury: Patriots' Tight End Will 'Be Ready To Go' For 2012 Super Bowl

It was an ugly site when New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski's ankle was rolled over by a Baltimore Ravens defender in the AFC Championship game Sunday. And when the 6-foot-6, 265-pound tight end left the field helped by New England team trainers a collective gasp could be heard among Pats' fans -- the opposite reaction probably for their future opponents' supporters.

However, as of Tuesday Gronkowski should be all set for the 2012 Super Bowl against the New York Giants, Feb. 5, at Lucus Oil Stadium.

"He’ll be ready to go," a source told the Boston Herald Monday.

This season, Gronkowski set a NFL record for touchdown receptions at his position, as he hauled in 90 receptions for 17 touchdowns and 1,327 yards.

-- For the latest news on the 2012 Super Bowl, check back to the SB Nation New York StoryStream. See Big Blue View for more discussion about the Giants, and Pats Pulpit for the New England side of the story.

2012 Super Bowl, Giants Vs. Patriots: Rematch Will Feature Same Color Uniforms

The New York Giants wore white uniforms when they defeated the New England Patriots (and stopped their quest for 19-0) in Super Bowl XLII, 17-14.

Today, the Giants announced that they will again be wearing white uniforms when they have their Super Bowl rematch with the Patriots on Feb. 5 at Lucas Oil Stadium (Giants Twitter) for Super Bowl XLVI. The Patriots will be in their blue uniforms for the game.

Can the road whites be good luck again for the Giants? Two of the three wins this postseason for the Giants have come on the road. Quarterback Eli Manning set the NFL record with his fifth career road win when the Giants defeated the 49ers in the NFC Championship. That road win also tied Giants head coach Tom Coughlin with Tom Landry for road wins at seven.

-- See Big Blue View for more discussion about the Giants, and Pats Pulpit for the New England side of the story.

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Super Bowl 2012, Giants Vs. Patriots: Tom Coughlin Says He Will Not Retire After Super Bowl

Win or lose during Super Bowl 2012 against the New England Patriots, New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin told CBS reporter Pete Prisco that he will return to coach next season.

"I feel good," Coughlin said. "Retire to do what?"

The Giants coach has just one year remaining on his contract, so the Giants could look to extend his deal during the offseason.

Coughlin, now 7-3 in the postseason with New York, can tie the franchise record for postseason wins with a victory in the Super Bowl two weeks from now. He is currently one shy of Bill Parcells' mark. The Big Tuna was 8-3 during his time in New York.

Coughlin is also in some superlative company in NFL history. With an 11-7 postseason record after beating the San Francisco 49ers in Sunday's NFC Championship, Coughlin has tied Parcells, Dan Reeves and Marv Levy for the seventh-most wins in NFL playoffs history. Tom Landry holds the record with 20, and Coughlin's counterpart in the Super Bowl, Bill Belichick, is tied for third with 17.

-- See Big Blue View for more discussion about the Giants, and Pats Pulpit for the New England side of the story.

Peter King: Giants Will Be 'Hard To Beat' In Super Bowl

Let’s look at some of the national reaction to the New York Giants dramatic 20-17 overtime victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday in the NFC Championship Game. The victory, of course, propels the Giants into the 2012 Super Bowl

There’s something about Manning that’s hard to put a finger on, but also very hard to beat. The best quarterbacks are usually the ones who play the best with the most on the line. Manning’s had some embarrassing regular season losses. He was swept by the 5-11 Redskins this year, both by double digits. The Giants were routed at home by Seattle and had a four-game losing streak. But when it matters, the kid’s been money. Let’s look at Manning’s last five seasons:

Overall record: 56-32. (Eight more wins than Philadelphia, eight more wins than Dallas.)
Playoff record: 7-1.
Playoff record outside of New Jersey: 6-1.
Super Bowl record: 1-0.
Record against New England: 2-1. (Lost 38-35, won 17-14, won 24-20.)

The Giants don’t have the sick regular season record of the Patriots, but they’ve played better than New England in January and February. They’ve got a superb pass-rush, and they’ve got Manning. "We have grit,‘’ said Tom Coughlin. "We’re battle-tested. We’ve had five straight single-elimination games. Somehow, some way, we’ve found a way to scratch our way to a win.’’

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