Don Banks at SI.com breaks down the upcoming NFL combine, and how teams are trying to find the secret formula the Giants used to draft seven players who all made a major impact on the road to a Super Bowl Championship.

Where would New York have been without fifth-round tight end Kevin Boss and seventh-round running back Ahmad Bradshaw once Jeremy Shockey and Derrick Ward went down with broken legs late in the regular season? And from December on, how essential were second-round receiver Steve Smith, third-round defensive tackle Jay Alford and first-round cornerback Aaron Ross, all of whom had their spotlight moments in the Super Bowl upset of the Patriots? Even fourth-round reserve linebacker/longsnapper Zak DeOssie — a guy who really made the radar screens of NFL teams at last year’s combine — was a contributor as a rookie.

The Giants will have a significantly tougher task ahead of them this time around because of their draft position and their off season planning being shortened by their run through the playoffs.

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In today’s New York Post, Paul Schwartz pens a terrific column about the wildly successful 2007 NFL Draft, Giants GM Jerry Reese’s first.  In addition, Reese shares his thoughts on his team’s preparation for the 2008 Draft to be held April 26-27.

“We’re not here in the meeting patting ourselves on the back about last year’s draft,” Reese stated in an e-mail to Schwartz.  “We’re just here trying to do a good job with this year’s draft.”

Players chosen by the Giants in the 2007 NFL Draft:  (Rnd 1) Aaron Ross, (Rnd 2) Steve Smith, (Rnd 3) Jay Alford, (Rnd 4) Zak DeOssie, (Rnd 5) Kevin Boss, (Rnd 6) Adam Koets, (Rnd 7) Michael Johnson and Ahmad Bradshaw.

Although the 2007 Draft was Reese’s first as GM, he has impressive and extensive credentials.  He has headed the Draft for the Giants the past five seasons.  In addition, Reese was the leader of the Giants scouting department.

Those worried about a Giant hangover should take solace in the following quote:

“I think we all realize last season was was pretty special,” Reese stated.

The success of the 2007 Draft is so great it’s almost hard to imagine.  Not only did all 8 men make the team, Smith, Alford, Boss and Bradshaw contributed in large part to a Super Bowl victory.  Ponder that for a minute.  Meanwhile, Ross had a very solid Rookie season while DeOssie and Johnson both showed signs of being legit NFL Players.  The idea that Reese is already referring to last Sunday’s win as “last season” can only be a positive sign as well. 

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While looking over Michael Eisen’s Key Notes, News, and Statistics of the Giants’ 17-14 win over the Patriots yesterday, I noticed that the Giants had a record for rookies on a Super Bowl roster, with 11.

The rookies were great last night. TE Kevin Boss had that great catch and run down the field, RB Ahmad Bradshaw refused to go down when he was hit, while WR Steve Smith made some amazing moves. Smith is so athletic and quick that he easily took advantage of the man-to-man defense that the Patriots were playing and juked his way into the open field. The Patriots, on the other hand, also took advantage of something. They knew Smith was still a rookie and were able to intercept a bobbled ball, which was perfectly thrown by QB Eli Manning.

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Ernie Palladino, Giants beat writer for the Journal News, writes on his blog Giants Journal about how the Giants have a number of rookies making significant contributions.

The Pats and Giants present two different views as far as rookies go. The Pats have just one drafted contributor, first-round DB Brandon Meriweather. But the Giants have had significant contributions from seven of their eight draft picks, most prominently from first-round CB Aaron Ross, second-round WR Steve Smith, and seventh-round RB Ahmad Bradshaw.

General manager Jerry Reese should receive high praise for putting together a squad that should compete for many years to come.

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Sam Madison and R.W. McQuarters have been the rock of a Giants secondary that has played a vital role in each of the Giants three playoff victories. In each game, they have had a game-changing or game-deciding play.

Erik Boland in Newsday, cites younger players who credit Madison and McQuarters their ability to provide a ‘calming influence’ throughout the year where many players were either benched or hurt.

“I think it’s their presence on the field and off the field,” third-year safety James Butler said of Madison and McQuarters. “Just that veteran presence that says that they’ve been here, they’ve done that. They just bring that veteran attitude that’s a big help.”

McQuarters expressed how he relished in the opportunity to mentor his younger teammates.

“We have a lot of knowledge in this league,” McQuarters said. “Sam and I have had different coaches with different ballclubs, different defenses. Between the two of us, we’ve seen a lot. It [mentoring] makes us feel good. It sort of makes us feel like what we learned in the past, we’re passing the knowledge on down to them. That’s what we try to do.”

An 11-year veteran, Sam Madison started his career with the Dolphins in 1997, and has taken what he’s learned from the veterans he played with and passed it down.

A moment of truth came in Dallas when Aaron Ross was injured and Geoff Pope, freshly activated from the practice squad just a week before, suddenly was taking on Terrell Owens. Despite the loss of Ross, the Giants secondary limited the second highest offense in the league to three second-half points.

McQuarters was benched most of the regular season, and didn’t get his shot again until the NFC Championship Game. He marked his return with two big interceptions on at Tampa Bay and at Dallas.

Corey Webster was also benched for much of the season, but returned when Madison was injured in the final regular season game against the Patriots. Webster came up big with two interceptions, including the huge one in Green Bay that set up Lawrence Tynes‘ winning field goal to send the Giants to the Super Bowl.

Webster said McQuarters and Madison told him to keep fighting when he was benched and his opportunity would come.

That opportunity came and McQuarters and Madison could not be more proud of their young protege.

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Giants:

Out — CB Kevin Dockery (hip);

Questionable — WR Plaxico Burress (ankle), CB Sam Madison (abdomen), CB Aaron Ross (shoulder).

Green Bay:

Questionable — CB Will Blackmon (foot).

Burress will certainly play, Madison and Ross were limited in practice but are expected to play as well.

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Cornerback Kevin Dockery (hip) is listed as out.

Sam Madison (abdomen) was very limited in practice on Friday and is listed as questionable.

Aaron Ross (shoulder) is questionable but had some limited contact in practice. He is expected to wear a light brace on his injured shoulder and should get the start on the left side.

Coach Tom Coughlin said he was “optimistic” about Madison’s chances of playing.

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