It’s easy to forget that in 2007, the year the Giants made that miraculous run through the post-season to a most special championship ending, several rookies made their mark on that amazing season right up to and including the fifth and final sack on Tom Brady in the Superbowl. In fact, the Giants may not have won a ring without the enthusiastic participation of their rookies that year.
Check the first year rookies that year:
• Ahmad Bradshaw officially cemented the playoff birth for the Giants with his 80 yard TD run in Buffalo. He also had some incredible runs and a TD in the Ice Bowl in Green Bay that don’t typically make the highlight reel for that game. Bradshaw was also leading rusher for the Wildcard game against Tampa Bay as well as the Superbowl against the Patriots.
• Kevin Boss filled in exceptionally for injured Jeremy Shockey and provided a huge 45 yard catch and run in the Superbowl to put the Giants in scoring position.
• Steve Smith had 5 catches and 50 yards in the Superbowl, most notably a 3rd and long that was converted for a first down that is all too often overshadowed by Plaxico Burress’ game winning TD catch. To many Giants fans that remember, that back corner fade wasn’t possible without Steve Smith’s smarts on 3rd down getting to the first down marker and getting out of bounds in time.
• Aaron Ross had 13 tackles and one pass defended in the 2007 playoffs.
• Jay Alford had the defining defensive play of the Superbowl, a bull rush right up the gut for a sack on Tom Brady to setup a 3rd and very very long with only seconds left for the Patriots. Essentially, Alford provided the final nail in the coffin on New England’s night.
So why should 2010 be any different?
• DT Linval Joseph has yet to make the dress list, but this week with veteran DT Rocky Bernard likely out with a back injury – Joseph may finally get his opportunity to make an impact in the defensive trenches.
• WR Mario Manningham has emerged as a big time threat for the Giants deep down field now that he’s getting comfortable with Eli Manning along the sidelines, but late in last Sunday’s game he suffered a concussion that will likely keep him out of practice and off the field against the Bears. Luckily, WR Victor Cruz is also something of a deep threat and will look to replace him as the third string receiver for the Giants. WR Ramses Barden will also look to pickup action, his 6’6″ frame is of course ideal for those back corner fades in the red zone. Both players have dressed in recent weeks, but neither has had meaningful playing time.
• Jason Pierre-Paul has shown he can draw double coverage on Special Teams, but he’s also shown he can fly under the radar as a pass rush specialist on Defense. Perry Fewell has moved JPP all around to create confusion, and the rookie most notably shot the A-gap last week with lightning speed to stop Chris Johnson several yards into the backfield… a play that sealed a 3-and-out for the Giants Defense who at that point was the only thing keeping NY in the game against the Titans. I look for more utilization from JPP this week on defense, he has shown to be a very versatile player.