New York Giants
NEW YORK GIANTS
Offense
No. 10 Eli Manning, QB
Has emerged as a force in last month and has led Giants to 10 straight road wins, three in postseason … Threw four TD passes against Patriots in season finale … Has four TD passes, no INTs, 62.4 completion percentage and 99.2 passer rating in playoffs … Manning outperformed Brett Favre in icebox at Lambeau Field for NFC title.
No. 27 Brandon Jacobs, RB Took over for Tiki Barber and provided strong running while healthy … Finished with 1,009 yards in 11 games and four TDs, but has three TDs in playoffs … Averaged 5.0 yards a carry … Not much of a threat as a receiver, but had team-high five receptions vs. New England … Will run over anyone, including defensive linemen. He weighs almost as much as some linemen.
No. 17 Plaxico Burress, WR New York’s answer to Randy Moss … Missed nearly every practice during season with right ankle injury, but has become healthier and practiced for last month … Comes off career game vs. Green Bay, making 11 catches for 151 yards in bitter cold … Scored 12 touchdowns during season, with 70 catches for 1,025 yards …. Made headlines by picking Giants to win 23-17.
No. 81 Amani Toomer, WR Veteran has come on in last month … His three postseason TDs match his production for regular season … Made 59 catches in 2007, but already has 15 in playoffs … A team leader and one of two remaining Giants from 2000 NFC champions (Michael Strahan is other) … A go-to receiver on third downs.
No. 89 Kevin Boss, TE
Has filled in admirably for sidelined Jeremy Shockey … Fifth-round draft pick from Division II school … Made first pro reception in ninth game, but had four catches for 50 yards and a TD vs. New England … Has a catch in each playoff game.
No. 66 David Diehl, LT
Steady former guard who moved outside this season … Has 80 consecutive regular-season starts … Giants like to run to his side with Jacobs going wide and Diehl leading the way … Has played every OL position but center for Giants.
No. 69 Rich Seubert, LG
Comes off sprained right knee but expects to start … A backup for much of his career, but started every game in 2002 and again this season … Missed all of 2004 with broken leg … Has also played some center … Signed as free agent in 2001, has third- longest tenure with team.
No. 76 Chris Snee, RG
Son-in-law of coach Tom Coughlin … Probably best blocker on team … Second-round pick in 2004 who has started every game in last three seasons … Giants like to use power runs behind him, but he also can get downfield on blocks.
No. 60 Shaun O’Hara, C
Smart, hard-working leader of line … Signed from Cleveland as free agent in 2004, has started 47 of last 48 regular-season games … Sprained knee in season finale vs. Patriots and missed playoff win at Tampa.
Defense
No. 92 Michael Strahan, DE
Active leader in career sacks with 141 1/2 , had nine this season … Missed entire preseason while mulling retirement, but started 15 games in 2007 … Also is staunch against the run.
No. 72 Osi Umenyiora, DE
Only Giant selected to Pro Bowl in initial balloting … Set team record vs. Philadelphia with six sacks, one short of league mark, while working against backup tackle. He also forced two fumbles vs. Eagles.
No. 58 Antonio Pierce, MLB Along with Strahan, Pierce is leader of the defense … Intense hitter who makes big plays in run and pass defense … Fiery type known to stir up teammates … Led team with 116 tackles, also forced a fumble and recovered two.
No. 55 Kawika Mitchell, OLB
Giants’ main free-agent addition in off-season (from Kansas City) … Started every game, improved late in season and has been playoff standout … Overcame sprained knee ligament sustained in season finale to play at Tampa Bay in wild-card round … Had 87 tackles and 3 1/2 sacks, one INT, forced a fumble and recovered one.
No. 31 Aaron Ross, CB
First-round pick who had up-and-down year, making nine starts … Has improved coverage in latter part of season after some early problems
No. 29 Sam Madison, CB
Veteran who struggled in recent years but had decent season for NFC champs … Used to excel in press coverage, but isn’t as fast as he used to be … Was burned badly by Randy Moss in season finale and injured abdominal muscle
No. 37 James Butler, SS
Considered the weakest link in the secondary … Signed as undrafted free agent in 2005, started 12 games, missed three with ankle and hamstring injuries … Has played well in postseason with 21 tackles.
No. 28 Gibril Wilson, FS
Most consistent of Giants’ DBs … Fifth-round pick in 2004 who made quick impact before a nerve problem sidelined him for eight games … Has started ever since when healthy … Good playmaker and hits hard … Has been active in playoffs with 27 tackles.
Special teams
No. 18 Jeff Feagles, P
At 41, Feagles makes Super Bowl debut … Holds record for consecutive games at any position, 320 … Excellent directional kicker who often leads league in punts downed inside the 20.
No. 9 Lawrence Tynes, PK
Comes off biggest kick of his career, 47-yarder at frigid Lambeau Field in OT to beat Packers 23-20 for NFC title … Made three field goals in that game, but missed twice with chance for lead before winning kick.
No. 87 Domenik Hixon, KR
Signed off waivers from Denver … Joined Giants in fifth week, playing mostly coverage teams … Broke 74-yard TD return vs. Patriots in season finale … Averaged 27.6 yards per runback.
All capsules provided by Barry Wilner, Associated Press