The WheelHouse welcomes Giants linebacker Michael Boley to share his thoughts on winning his first Super Bowl championship.

Giants’ WR Mario Manningham’s promising NFL career has been one that has been held back by incessant ailments and inconsistent performances. This year, he almost became an afterthought with both Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz having monster seasons.

Last night, with the Patriots pulling out all the stops to neutralize Cruz and struggling to keep up with the prolific Nicks, Mario made the best of the opportunities QB Eli Manning presented him with. His 38-yard reception on 1st-and 10 from the Giants’ 12-yard-line with 3:46 remaining jumpstarted the Giants’ game-winning drive.

“On the sideline they were going like this (gesturing a successful catch), so I knew I was in. It was a perfect throw,” Mario said. “They rolled into cover-two at the last minute and I saw the corner was acting like he was going to backpeddle, but he came up to play cover-two and I extended to the side a little bit and worked him outside. Eli (Manning) just put the ball on the money. Great pass protection, great ball. I knew where I was on the sideline. I knew I didn’t have that much room. Good thing I wear (shoe size) 11s, because if I wore 11.5s, I don’t think I’d have been in.”

Manning described the play, which will be remembered as the turning point of the game…..

“They were in cover-2. Usually that is not your match-up. They had us covered pretty well to the right. I looked that way. I saw I had the safety cheated in a little bit and threw it down the sideline. Great catch by him (Manningham), keeping both feet in. That’s a huge play in the game right there; when you’re backed up, to get a 40-yard gain and get to the middle of the field. That way we can pace ourselves a little bit, run the ball a little bit. It was a big, big, big-time play right there.”

On whether the previous long pass that he couldn’t stay in bounds for was in his head….“Eli said my bad, ‘I should have kept the ball in.’ We’re a team though, it’s both of us. I could have stayed in and he could have thrown a better ball.”

On comparing his catch to former Giants WR David Tyree’s Super Bowl catch…. “I’m not going to compare catches. We won the game. You can’t really compare the catches. He caught the ball with his helmet, I had good footwork.”

On his catches on the game-winning drive….“I just go out and do my job. I know that plays are going to come. You have to have a short-term memory playing wide receiver. Just take advantage of every ball that comes your way.”

On keeping his feet inbounds on the sideline catch on the game-winning drive….“I knew I had to freeze my feet when the ball touched my fingertips. Wherever I was at when the ball hit my fingertips, I just froze my feet and fell. I knew I was either going to get hit or hit the ground. I knew something was going to happen, but I knew that I couldn’t let that ball go.”

On making plays down the stretch….. “We knew that one of us was going to have to make a big play. We didn’t know when though. Just bite your tongue, be patient and the ball is going to come to you.”

On the run game setting up the pass game…..“They played a two-deep zone. We knew we had to run the ball and the run game was going to open the pass game for us. That’s how football is. You just have to be patient and wait your turn.”

On whether he felt extra pressure on the last drive of the game….“There’s no pressure. It’s football, except you have a little bit more people watching.”

On what Eli Manning said in the huddle….“He didn’t say anything. He just said the play. We knew what it was going to come down to. We’ve been in this situation all year. We’ve been in that situation, it’s just the Super Bowl. You have to dig deep and go out there and make a play.”

“Big Blue gave us a game to remember, and on Tuesday we’re going to give them a parade to remember,” NYC mayor Mike Bloomberg said in a statement.

From GEICO SportsNite: Giants fans react after watching the Giants defeat the Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday night.

THe AP took to the streets of NYC after the game…

From CBS2News: Fans party in Times Square

Before the NFC Championship game, we noted in our final thoughts about how to attack San Francisco in the run game:

“The strength of the 49ers is their inside game. Willis. Justin Smith. Bowman. Don’t bother trying to go crazy running in between the tackles.”

The Giants handed off the ball 25 times. Here is the breakdown:

INSIDE RUN- 22 times
OUTSIDE RUN- 3 times

There were 4 inside runs where there was absolutely nothing, and the runner (pretty sure it was Bradshaw all four times) had no choice but to kick it outside where there was more opportunity. Those four runs netted 2 yds, 7 yds, 9 yds, and 8 yds. The Giants netted 6.5 yds per carry on these runs. If you subtract these 4 runs, that leaves 21 runs for 61 total yards, or 2.9 yards per carry. Most of these runs were right into the teeth of the defense. In fact, if the balls run inside weren’t run outside, the numbers running inside would have been worse.

Here is the problem- when 88% of the time you are running inside, there is a lack of balance. Predictability becomes the norm. That gives the defense an easier time in playing for tendency. Running the ball outside a little more would have spread the defense out and made the inside run more effective as well.

Let’s ask the converse question- how would you have felt if the Giants attempted to run the ball outside 22 out of 25 times? The answer is that it would have been just as poor and predictable, even if it was indeed to the preferred area of the field. You must spread the field and keep defenses guessing.

The Giants passed the ball 58 times, well more than the 25 times they ran the ball. While the Giants amount of pass was lopsided, the Niners did have to honor the run. But they certainly didn’t have to honor the outside run.

The message is that an offense cannot do ANYTHING 88% of the time, or else the defense will be given an advantage. This isn’t Einstein. This is just the common sense of not doing the same thing over and over again 22 times during the game and expecting a different result. We all know that you can “soften up” a defense by running it and wearing them down. But don’t do it to the total exclusion of surprise.

This time around, he is much more an equal to Brady and his team is every bit – if not more – talented than Bill Belichick’s bunch. Manning was asked how different he is now as compared to four years ago.

“Anytime you have four more years of experience you should be a better quarterback and a better player – a better understanding of your offense, better control of what’s going on. I think I’ve made improvements in those four years,” Eli said. “I’ve worked hard to try to become a better quarterback and make better decisions and be a better leader. Those are some of the things I’ve worked on.” 

WR Victor Cruz, who has gone from zero to hero in four short months, should be brimming with excitement, but is taking it all in stride.

“I’m just taking it day by day, taking it one practice, one meeting at a time and just making sure I’m ready for whatever comes up, whatever the upcoming meeting or the upcoming arrangement is.” the Giants’ greatest UDFA of all time said. “I’m ready for it and I make sure I get as much sleep as possible, just being prepared for whatever comes my way.” 

S Antrel Rolle does not want to hear about losing, nor does he want to talk about it. He was on the Arizona Cardinals when they lost in the final minute of SB XLIII to the Steelers.

“I never speak of losing and I have had my own personal experience with that,” Rolle stated. “It is nothing that I really want to share with the guys. I definitely don’t want to be on that end again by any means. If I have to get carried off the field, so be it, but whatever it takes at this point.”

DE Jason Pierre-Paul on the competition between the defensive lineman:

“We compete amongst each other and if Justin gets a sack, I want two. If I want two, then Osi wants three. Basically you can say that we are greedy but in a good way, to help our team out. We try to get there quick enough to help our secondary cover better and try to get to the quarterback as fast as we can.”

Devin Thomas, the Giants’ top special teamer, says he only needs one ticket for the Super Bowl – for his father.

“He’s the one who I need to be there supporting me,” Thomas said as per Mike Mazzeo of ESPN New York. “I told him, ‘Pops, we’re going to the Super Bowl! It’s funny, because the story is, the last Super Bowl I went to was the Steelers versus Arizona. Me and my dad went together. And I told him, ‘Pops, we can’t go to Super Bowls anymore unless I’m in it.’”

Well, he is…

Eli Manning met with the media Tuesday and said he felt good despite getting the snot knocked out of him during Sunday’s big win vs San Francisco. His gritty performance had laid to rest much of the debate about whether or not he is elite. He was asked if he had any regrets in staking that claim before the season…

“No. I don’t have any regrets. I thought I gave an honest answer,” Eli stated. “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. That’s my job. My job is to play the game. It’s your job to talk and make up stories.”

He addressed the team, mostly aiming his message at the newer guys who have never been this far in the postseason. The Super Bowl XLII MVP was business-like in his approach. No time to slip up now….

“I just told them a little bit about how to prepare for this – handle all of your business with tickets, getting that stuff done, just a few things on the mindset of this week. We have to have great preparation. ‘Prepare this week like you’re playing the game this week’,” Eli said.

“Once you get to Indianapolis and you have to take a bus ride to practice – your whole schedule gets thrown off. Once you get there try to keep the same routine on some things. Everything that we would do during a normal week, we’re going to get it done this week and then next week have great practices and preparation, continue preparing, but get our workload in this week…”

His message was not only embraced by the newbies, but by veterans as well. S Antrel Rolle, who went to a Super Bowl three years ago as a member of the Arizona Cardinals, in lock step behind the Giants’ captain.

“Eli is the leader of this team, without a doubt, and we definitely, I wouldn’t be standing up here right now if it wasn’t for him,” Rolle said. “He is an elite quarterback.  I don’t think that needs any further discussion.  I think he’s definitely proven himself. I think he’s proven himself before this year, to be honest with you.”

“You just have to believe within yourself,” Rolle continued.  “And that’s what he does, he has us, he has teammates behind him, he has a great older brother that he can look up to. If anyone can critique him, it’s him.”

Illustration is from Gary Finkler of 7th Inning Sketch.com

from Andy Furman of Ultimate NYG….

WHEN SF HAS THE BALL

8 man box. Put pressure on Alex Smith to beat you. Where? On the outside. He is most comfortable with the inside passes, ie a crossing route or seam pass. Make him make the harder and more precise throw to the edge of the field. If he is able to make a perfect throw deep and out, it may be a big play, but make him earn that. New Orleans gave him inside throws and Smith had a good day.

It is the reverse for the SF running game. Take away the edge and maintain the lane discipline. Iupati likes to pull to spring those edge runs.

Who is the one player that is dynamic in the offense? Vernon Davis. Bracket him. I’ll take my chances with Webster in 1 on 1 vs Crabtree. And as noted this week, without Braylon Edwards, I am comfortable with Ross in 1 on 1 also, with maybe some deep help from Phillips if required. After reviewing more film from the Packers game last week, I was impressed with how well Ross did vs Jordy Nelson. Everyone saw the play where Ross got beat on the slugo where Osi had the sack strip, but Ross held his own against a quality WR, owing more to the simplified man coverage assignments he is getting. Ginn is questionable, but even if he plays he is a step down from Edwards. Once again, there is nothing that can consistently roast this Giants defense except TE Davis. That doesn’t mean that Hunter or a guy like Walker can’t beat you for a nice 15 yd gain to move the sticks, but that is the battle. The war is Vernon Davis.

WHEN NY HAS THE BALL

With a strong chance of rain, a sloppy field and wind, this dynamic may very well put the CB at a disadvantage. Considering that Eli has the better WRs, this could/should help the Giants more than it will hurt the Giants CBs. Imagine the slippery Cruz on a slippery field! As Coughlin has noted, Cruz will make you pay if you take the wrong angle, and we could have some wrong angles and slips by defenders. Nicks is crafty with a nose for the endzone too. And Manningham has some of the quickest breaks in his route of anyone in the NFL, so he can lose a defender too.

The strength of the 49ers is their inside game. Willis. Justin Smith. Bowman. Don’t bother trying to go crazy running in between the tackles. Use Bradshaw on the edge with flares and screens (although I have completely given up w Gilbride on the screen). Use Bradshaw on the checkdown. (Interesting stat: the Giants are 10-4 with Bradshaw, who did not play in the last meeting.) Eli should have success with max protect plays because if he has 7 men blocking and his 3 WRs out there with defenders slipping, he should be able to find someone. If Ballard is at all effective, use him on delayed routes outside (not inside where the LBers are).

LOOSE ENDS/SPECIALS

Protect the ball. Keep penalties to a minimum. Sure hands and fair catches on punts will win the war. Watch out for the fake punt or fake FG. Don’t hold the ball like a pineapple, Bradshaw!

SUMMARY

This is the Giants’ game to win. On defense, the Giants should defend the inside of the field on passes and the outside on runs. Load the box against Smith and make him beat you. Focus on Vernon Davis, as I do not believe the WRs/QB of SF are good enough to beat the Giants. On offense, a slippery field should give Nicks, Manningham and Cruz an advantage. Get Bradshaw open in space. Use Pascoe and Beckum in the red zone. If the Gmen take care of the ball and play 60 minutes they will win this game.

• The bigger the game, the better Eli plays
• Teammates turn to Tuck’s trying season for inspiration
• Rolle hoping for another shot a ring
• Bay Area Giant fan finds allies in Raider Nation
• A couple of Smiths take aim at Eli
• SF writer: Giants defense is healthy and lethal
• Using their heads: an old Giants playoff trait

The Giants’ dismantling of the defending champion Packers at Lambeau Field last night was a thrill for all fans of the Blue, but in the overall scheme of things it was just Chapter Two.

Chapter Three will be another daunting task: Jim Harbaugh’s rough-and-tumble 49ers at Candlestick Park. The advantage will go to the hosts (San Fran is a 2 1/2 point morning line favorite), but the Giants are the more experienced post-season team.

The way these two teams have been playing, there’s no way even the most pedestrian fan can resist.

“For us to come in here and win, we knew we would have to play one of our best games and I think we did that,” said Giants’ defensive captain Justin Tuck. “I don’t think they have anything to hang their heads about. I just think it just seems like our time.”

Their time.

It sure is. The Packers were supposed to be the unstoppable force coming into this game – averaging 35 points per. The Giants? A bunch of underachievers that got lucky four years ago and have a propensity of underperforming in the spotlight.

It didn’t turn out that way. The Giants came to play. The Packers, perhaps still reeling from the tragic death of OC Joe Philbin’s son, did not. They fumbled, dropped passes and lacked the sharpness that makes them so dangerous. In light of things, it is understandable.

Ironically, Aaron Rodgers’ legs were more lethal than his arm last night.  He missed receivers all night and was flushed from the pocket more than he is accustomed to. He ran for a team-high 66 yards and made five first downs with his legs. The Giants happily took that over the usual four TD passes he hangs on them.

But this game is over. Slice it up for the next day or so, but then its time to focus on San Francisco. There is more work to do….and a chip on their shoulder…

“Everybody wrote us off. They always do that,” said DE Osi Umenyiora, who had two sacks of Aaron Rodgers last night. “So we’re just going to keep on fighting and keep on playing hard and hopefully we’ll keep things going.”

…and going, and going…