Tuesday in Indianapolis was the media free-for-all with the players and coaches of the New England Patriots and New York Giants getting a renewed taste of the Super Bowl buildup frenzy.
The two teams met in the big game just four years ago, so the media attention is nothing new to many of them. Here is a sampling, courtesy of the NFL, of some of the thoughts of the key participants in Super Bowl XLVI.
Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski’s injured ankle has been getting a lot of attention. As of Tuesday, he was no longer wearing the protective boot, but as for his ability to play on Sunday he said, “I don’t know yet. We are going day-by-day. We are making new steps every day and feeling better every single day. That’s a positive sign.”
Giants coach Tom Coughlin was asked everything from how his team performed when his job was on the line to how Eli Manning’s leadership has developed over the years. When asked about the key to winning Super Bowl XLVI, Coughlin said, “For us, it’s always turnovers. If we can control ourselves and win the turnover battle, don’t turn it over ourselves and not give an outstanding football team another opportunity that they would not necessarily have, we'll be in pretty good shape.”
Giants defensive end Justin Tuck provided an interesting comparison between this year’s matchup and the one from four years ago. “This game is going to be won in similar fashion but we are not necessarily trying to look into the past to see how to beat this team,” Tuck said.
“[Tom] Brady has done a great job of changing their dynamic. I think in 2007 they were more of ‘an on the ends’ type of passing game with Randy Moss and things like that. Now with these tight ends, a lot of their strikes are coming down the middle. So they are different in that right.”
The Quarterbacks
Manning was always going to be under the microscope as the quarterback of the Giants, but being the brother of Peyton Manning and playing in his house brought out the inevitable questions about his childhood. His leadership qualities perhaps come from the competition he developed with his big brother.
“I am five years younger than Peyton, but growing up we would always compete,” said Eli Manning. “When I got a little bit older, 15 or 16 years old, we could finally start being on the same level and compete in playing basketball, ping pong, or pool.
“There is that competition. Competition is a great thing. It brings out the best in people. It does make you work harder to try to get to that level where you can compete with your older brother who plays at that same level. It is definitely helpful in bringing out all my skills,” said Manning.
New England quarterback Tom Brady is the biggest star in this game. He’s originally from the West coast but he has now certainly become aware of the New York–Boston rivalry. As a result, a renewal of that rivalry makes this Super Bowl that much more exciting.
“There is a great rivalry, there has been between Boston and New York for a long time. When I got to the team, it was always Red Sox–Yankees. We’ve had some pretty meaningful games against the Giants over the past few years, so I don’t think anyone is disappointed that it’s the Giants.”
Brady also feels that if he, along with his team plays well, they can win.
“I want to make sure I don’t throw any interceptions… We can’t go out there and make mistakes and expect to win. We have to go out there and play a very clean game.”
New England coach Bill Belichick had high praise for Giants superstars Manning, Victor Cruz, as well as their team as a whole. As for what his team needs to do to win, he said, “It is the same as it is every week. We have to go out and play a good football game all the way around in all three phases of the game.
“The Giants are good on offense, defense and special teams. They are well-coached, disciplined and tough. We will have to match their effort and do a little bit more.”
The Super Bowl is this Sunday from Indianapolis at 6:30 p.m. Eastern.
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