But let’s revisit last year’s Super Bowl. It wasn’t Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison or even Joseph Addai who made the key play in the game. It was a backup defensive back.
The Colts had a 22-17 fourth-quarter lead, but the Bears had the ball and a chance to turn the game.
On first-and-10 from the Indianapolis 38, the Colts pass rush came after Rex Grossman hard and Grossman threw up a balloon in the direction of wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad. Kelvin Hayden intercepted, danced his way down the sideline and bounded into the end zone for a 56-yard touchdown return. While there was still 11:44 to play, the Bears simply did not have the fire power to get back in it.
The previous two Super Bowls, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antwaan Randle El and Patriots wideout Deion Branch did the heavy lifting. It’s not always the superstars that decide the biggest games.
The Giants have their share of stars in Eli Manning and Burress, while the Pats have a boatload of superstars. But the game could come down to the role players and if it does, keep your eyes on these 10 players.";
spt_Super_Bowl_unknowns[i++] = new Array("","Ahmad Bradshaw","","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/ArtAndPhoto-Fronts/SPORTS/080106/g-080106-spt-giants3-2p.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Scott Audette", "AP", "273", "397", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
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The Giants' rookie running back from Marshall was taken by general manager Jerry Reese with his second pick in the seventh round last spring. The pedigree may not be noteworthy, but Bradshaw and starting running back Brandon Jacobs formed as strong a backfield duo as could be found this season in the NFL.
Bradshaw has explosive speed and is tough enough to bounce out of big hits. After running for 190 yards on 23 carries (8.2 yards per attempt) in the regular season, Bradshaw has 48 carries for 155 yards and three TDs in the postseason. That’s nine more running attempts than the 265-pound Jacobs.";
spt_Super_Bowl_unknowns[i++] = new Array("","Kevin Boss","Boss is tackled by Tampa Bay's Tanard Jackson.","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/getty/gyi0051175402.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Doug Benc", "Getty Images", "273", "397", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
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If you think the selection of Bradshaw was a fluke, think again. Giants GM Reese came up with tight end Boss in fifth round. Since high-profile Jeremy Shockey is out with a broken leg (suffered in Week 15), the Giants have turned to this rookie from Western Oregon.
Boss hasn’t made them forget Shockey with four catches for 45 yards, but he has shown that he’s got the courage to play under the bright lights. He’s also a devastating blocker for the running game and for his fellow receivers.";
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spt_Super_Bowl_unknowns[i-1].body = "
If the Giants are going to hang with the perfect Pats and somehow steal the title in the late stages of the fourth quarter, they are going to have to find some special teams angles to get the job done. That includes some excellent field position work done by their punter.
The 41-year-old punter doesn’t get much distance on his kicks. He averaged 40.4 per punt during the regular season but his net was 36.0 yards. He dropped 25 punts inside the 20 and he will have to keep the ball away from dangerous return man Wes Welker.";
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The Giants led the league in sack percentage this season and that’s due to the pass-rush skills of Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck and Mike Strahan. But it’s not always about the big play.
It’s also about wrapping up and tackling, and nobody in a blue uniform did it better than their middle linebacker Pierce, who led the Giants with 103 tackles and had nine passes defensed, one interception, one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He has very strong hands and rarely lets anybody slip out of his grasp.";
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Sense a pattern here? Three of the players we have proposed to have a big impact in this game are rookies. Smith, a back-up receiver, does not have impressive regular-season numbers but he has had an impact in the playoffs with nine catches for 102 yards.
Pats coach Bill Belichick can’t give every Giants receiver special attention and he also knows that not giving Smith his due could cost the team in a big way. Smith has average size — 5-11 and 197 pounds — but he is supremely quick into and out of his cuts and can get separation from the defender.";
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The Patriots' back-up running back is not going to sneak up on the Giants and their coaching staff because Faulk makes his presence felt in every game. He’s happy behind running back Laurence Maroney and come off the bench to make big runs and catches. He reminds some scouts of ex-Cowboy Preston Pearson who came off the bench in place of Tony Dorsett to make great plays for Roger Staubach as a runner and receiver.
Faulk has unquestioned toughness and the skill to make difficult plays. Faulk caught 47 passes for 383 yards and a one touchdown in the regular season and was the team’s third-leading receiver behind Wes Welker and Randy Moss. Faulk is a lights-out type of blocker.
";
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New England's blocking tight end is just the type of player that Belichick likes to turn to in an important game.
A quick look at the stat sheet reveals that Brady caught nine passes for 70 yards and two TDs in the regular season but hasn’t even caught one ball in the postseason. Belichick loves to self-scout and he knows who has contributed and who hasn’t. Belichick will turn to Brady in an attempt to surprise Giant defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.";
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The Patriots appear to be quite vulnerable in the secondary. Asante Samuel is a dominant cover corner, but every other defensive back is vulnerable.
Hobbs brings game-changing speed to the equation in his third year and he has to show he can make plays when asked to cover 1-on-1. Hobbs is a major factor on special teams.";
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Very strong and powerful at 6-3 and 315 pounds, New England's right tackle should be able to handle Giants defensive end Mike Strahan when he gets his hands on him.
However, Strahan is very quick and has the savvy to fool Kaczur and also run by him. The key for Spagnuolo is to give Kaczur sufficient help if the Patriots find themselves in must-throw situations.
";
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The outside linebacker is an all-purpose stud who can make big plays on either side of the line of scrimmage. He had 77 tackles this season and also forced five fumbles.
Vrabel was used as a red zone receiver and caught two TD passes this season. Belichick understands Vrabel is simply a winner so he will be on the field in clutch situations.
";
// END editorial data