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Justin Tuck saw Osi Umenyiora’s Mother’s Day Twitter jab at LeSean McCoy and came up with his own conclusion.

“My thing is it was just his ploy to get more followers,” Tuck joked. “That’s all.”

Appearing at a SUBWAY event for the screening of the new movie “Battleship” held aboard the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space museum, Tuck cracked about Umenyiora wishing McCoy a Happy Mother’s Day.

While Umenyiora might have been having fun at McCoy’s expense on Twitter, the Giants defensive end won’t be laughing later this summer if he and the Giants are unable to resolve his contract.

Umenyiora wants a new deal as he enters the final year of his contract worth just under $4 million this season. Tuck said he and his teammates understand Umenyiora’s contract concern and how it is a part of the business of the NFL.

“We just understand that it is a part of the game and why make it bigger than what it is,” Tuck said. “You can add fuel to the fire and make it huge. Right now it is just smoke. You don’t even see the flames yet. And we would like to keep it that way.”

GM Jerry Reese has said he is open to an extension and has offered Umenyiora an extension for two straight years. Umenyiora countered by saying that the team offered him half of what Mathias Kiwanuka recently received in guarantees in a new three-year, $21.75 million extension. Kiwanuka will get $10.95 million in guaranteed money.

Tuck hopes the Giants will be able to keep his good friend happy knowing full well how important Umenyiora is to the defending Super Bowl champions’ success.

He has been in constant contact with Umenyiora but is unsure if he will see the defensive end at Wednesday night’s ring ceremony at Tiffany & Co.

“I talk to Osi constantly,” Tuck said. “I haven’t seen him. He tweeted some pictures of his son doing my Tuck bow [sack celebration]. I told him, ‘hey, your son is smarter than you, he recognizes a real football player.’ That’s all it is, stuff like that, back and forth.”

When asked if he thinks he will see Umenyiora on Wednesday night when the Giants receive their rings, Tuck joked about his good friend again.

“If he tweets me a picture of his son doing something,” Tuck cracked. “He thinks he has better abs than me and stuff like that. Osi is weird.”

But, of course, if Tuck doesn’t see Umenyiora on Wednesday night, he hopes to see his friend in a Giants uniform later this summer in camp.

NEW HAVEN, CONN. -- With the departure of Mario Manningham and Brandon Jacobs this offseason, the Giants have openings at backup running back and No. 3 receiver.

Offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride is hopeful the team's top two draft picks, running back David Wilson and wide receiver Rueben Randle, can help fill those voids.

"That's what we drafted them for," Gilbride said Monday night.

He added: "You got your fingers crossed, you never know, but they look like they have enough physical skills to come play."

Gilbride, along with receiver Hakeem Nicks, talked about winning the Super Bowl to an audience at Gilbride's alma mater, Southern Connecticut State University. Gilbride played for and coached the Owls, and the pair answered questions from the audience.

The offensive coordinator specifically said he believes Randle will give the team the outside threat needed with Nicks and Cruz receiving double teams. As it stands, Nicks will be the primary receiver on the outside, while Cruz is in the slot.

"(The slot receiver) was what Cruz was this year," Gilbride said about Cruz being the team's slot guy. "He can play the outside, but he was much more proficient inside."

That leaves a spot on the outside to be filled, be it by Randle or by a returning player like Ramses Barden or Jerrel Jernigan. Gilbride said Jernigan, who has slot receiver qualities, is going to have to learn how to be more of an outside receiver with Cruz having the slot duties.

"You need that third guy," Gilbride said. "Hopefully, if not one of our returning veterans, Randle will be able to give us what we're looking for."

OFFENSIVE LINE SHIFTING: The other question mark surrounding the Giants offense is the status of the offensive line and how the line will reshuffle. With Kareem McKenzie, the former right tackle, now a free agent, and left tackle Will Beatty returning from an eye injury, there will once again be some shuffle among the unit.

Gilbride said the team hasn't made a decision, but moving Dave Diehl to right tackle and keeping Kevin Boothe at left guard is the most likely configuration.

"That would certainly seem to be the most likely way to do it," Gilbride said. "Those are your five guys starting. If we keep Beatty healthy, he's already out now. You have five starters but you got to get some guys behind that come to the forefront in case one of them goes down."

Diehl started last season as the left guard before moving to left tackle after Beatty went down. Boothe slid in as the left guard when Diehl shifted about midway through the season.

The offensive coordinator also mentioned drafted tackles Brandon Mosley and Matt McCants as replacements and depth, and is hopeful that one of the young players on the offensive line will emerge this season. He believes that improved play from the offensive line can galvanize a 32nd-ranked rushing attack.

"There were too many changes and injuries with the guys so we never really meshed," Gilbride said. "We got better as the season went on and the playoffs we got it going a bit. Right now, to be honest, we're throwing the ball so well that it opens up opportunities for the running game."

NEW TIGHT END: The Giants will have a new starting tight end this year in Martellus Bennett, the former Cowboys they signed as a free agent. While Bennett didn't put up glowing statistics as the backup in Dallas, the Giants see a lot of potential.

"I think he has the chance to be a very good all-around player; blocker, receiver, the whole bit," Gilbride said. "He just hasn't done it to the satisfaction of the Dallas people. We look at him and we see as a guy that physically has the chance to be very good."

OSI?: A fan asked Gilbride about what will happen with defensive end Osi Umenyiora, and not surprisingly, Gilbride said he does not know. He said the Giants want him to stay but Umenyiora is not happy with his contract, and it remains to be seen how it all is resolved.

PRAISE FOR HIS QB: Gilbride stayed up to watch Eli Manning on Saturday Night Live and gave his quarterback a passing grade.

"I enjoyed it," Gilbride said. "For me to stay up until 1 o'clock, it has to be pretty good."

For yet another offseason, defensive end Osi Umenyiora is at odds with general manager Jerry Reese over his contract.

But Reese says no matter what is said -- whether it be in an affidavit as part of a players’ lawsuit against the NFL during the lockout or in quotes to reporters – it’s never personal.

“I don’t carry grudges,” Reese said in an interview with Stephen A. Smith and Ryan Ruocco on ESPN New York 98.7. “In the offseason, there is always some controversy about contracts. It is not just one person, it can be several different people with contract situations. That is part of my job, it is never personal, I don’t think it is personal with respect to players and it definitely is not personal with respect to me.”

“I call it offseason chatter,” he continued. “There is always some chatter about different situations about contracts during the offseason. That is what happened. It is never personal with me.”

Umenyiora’s contract situation is back in the spotlight again after the defensive end said last Wednesday that he did not believe the Giants could give him the contract extension he wants. He is seeking an extension similar to the ones recently signed by Philadelphia’s Trent Cole (four-year extension worth $48.525 million, including $15 million guaranteed) and Indianapolis’ Robert Mathis (four-year extension worth $36 million with $17 million guaranteed).

Umenyiora, 30, is entering the final year of his deal worth just under $4 million. Reese said on Saturday that the Giants have offered Umenyiora an extension for the last two years.

The defensive end countered by telling various newspapers that the team offered him “half” of the $10.95 million in guaranteed money Mathias Kiwanuka recently received as part of a three-year $21.75 million extension.

“I’m not going to discuss Osi’s contract situation with you guys,” Reese said when asked about Umenyiora’s contract. “But I can say this to you though -- the New York Giants are a better football team with Osi Umenyiora on our team. We respect him as a football player. Our goal is to have Osi play football with the New York Giants and retire as a Giant. That is what we would like to do first.”

“All of our options are open as I have said before but Osi makes us a better football team, I do know that,” he added.

And as far as Umenyiora alleging that Reese promised him a new deal in an affidavit that was part of the players’ lawsuit against the NFL last year during the lockout, Reese said it’s all part of the business of being a general manager.

“We will get through this and we will see what happens moving forward,” he said. “It is not a big problem for me to have guys say some things. I think sometimes some people say things that they obviously really don’t mean. Everybody is trying to make as much money as they can for themselves and their families and everybody understands that and it is not personal.”

REESE’S PIECES: Reese also said in the interview that he is confident about the Giants’ chances again.

“I think we can be good, I really do,” he said. “I like our roster right now. We’ll continue to tinker around with the roster. But I think we have a chance to be really good again.”

Reese said he will tune into “Saturday Night Live” this weekend to catch Eli Manning's live television acting debut.

“He is a funny guy,” Reese said. “You guys are not around him that much but he can be pretty funny.”

When told by Stephen A. that Victor Cruz should appear on “Dancing With The Stars,” Reese said Cruz did the right thing by turning down the popular show and focusing on football.

“Victor looks like he is a pretty good dancer,” Reese said. “I think Victor wants to focus on football more than anything else right now. He had one good year. One good year doesn’t make you a great football player. It means you had one good year. And he is a smart young man and wants to focus on what is most important and that is football.”

After general manager Jerry Reese said on Saturday that the Giants have offered Osi Umenyiora an extension two years in a row, the defensive end responded by saying it was for “half” of the guaranteed money that Mathias Kiwanuka recently received in an extension he signed with the Super Bowl champs.

“Last year I was offered incentives,” Umenyiora wrote in an email to the New York Daily News. “This year they offered me in guaranteed money, HALF of what they just gave Kiwi guaranteed. HALF. I’m not making that up.”

“Then Jerry tells the world they offered me an extension and I turned it down,” he continued. “And I look like a greedy pig for turning it down. Hilarious.”

Here we go again. The situation between Umenyiora and Reese is starting to simmer again. We'll have to see how it all plays out and what Umenyiora's game plan is going to be if he does not have a new deal by training camp.

Umenyiora was happy for Kiwanuka after seeing his friend and teammate recently sign a three-year contract extension through 2015 worth $21.75 million with $10.95 million in guaranteed money. But he wasn't thrilled to see an extension offer made to him with guarantees worth half of what Kiwanuka received.

Umenyiora is entering the final year of his contract worth just under $4 million. He wants to remain with the team but does not want to play under his current deal. He has long been seeking a new contract to replace the seven-year, $41 million contract he signed in 2005. Umenyiora would like to be rewarded with an extension in the neighborhood of the one recently signed by Philadelphia’s Trent Cole and Indianapolis’ Robert Mathis.

Cole signed a four-year extension worth $48.525 million, including $15 million guaranteed. Mathis’ new four-year extension is worth $36 million with $17 million guaranteed.

Umenyiora said last week that he did not believe the Giants would be able to pay him the extension he is seeking since the Giants will have to eventually take care of several young players like Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz and Jason Pierre-Paul.

He suggested that the Giants should see if they could trade him in the draft for perhaps a pick in return. But the Giants did not deal him nor did they draft a defensive end either. When asked if he considered dealing Umenyiora, Reese said “all options are open.”

What are Umenyiora's options if he does not receive an extension? Last year, Umenyiora alleged that Reese promised him a new contract in an affidavit filed on behalf of the players' lawsuit against the NFL during the lockout. He sat out practice for the first two weeks of training camp and was briefly allowed to seek a trade for a first-round pick. The defensive end turned down the Giants' offer to add incentives to his deal and eventually decided to undergo minor knee surgery. He returned to have 12.5 sacks in 13 games -– including the Giants’ Super Bowl postseason run.

Umenyiora said last Wednesday that he did not know what he will do if he doesn't have a new deal entering camp. Losing Umenyiora doesn't just hurt from a production standpoint but it hurts the team's depth at defensive end. They have Justin Tuck, Pierre-Paul and linebacker/defensive end Kiwanuka. But Dave Tollefson signed with Oakland in free agency. The Giants do have Justin Trattou, a young defensive end they like.

"So what do I do? Do I suck it up and come back and put my tail between legs like I've always done for these last couple of years," Umenyiora asked. "Do I do that again this year? Or do I go out there and try to do what's best for me one time? It's unfortunate that it's come to this but it's the business that we are in."

Let's talk about Super Mario. Not the plumber who is constantly trying to save Peach -- New York Giants WR Mario Manningham, whose potential departure is creating buzz all over ESPNNewYork.com.

From Mario Manningham '75 percent' sure he's leaving:

"geez Giants fans, you can at least thank the dude for saving your tails against NE before kicking him out the door. I like Mario. But he is someone who doesn't realize he is a #2. He could be the best #2 in the NFL with a different attitude. Considering I am a Lions fan, and our #2 is Nate Burelson, you have to acknowledge Manningham is far better than that. He will help some young team though, good luck brother."
- Andy1178

Ed.'s note -- I have him behind Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks. If he will take less money then it makes sense to keep him, but I sense he will not be in Blue in August.

"He'll end up like Deion Branch...go some place else and underachieve then beg to come back. I can't knock him for trying to cash in especially since nothing in the NFL is guaranteed. Someone will over pay and lose their job for signing him."
- ANieves82

Ed.'s note -- Now is his chance to get paid. I don’t think most fans will knock him for taking the money to play for someone else.

"Someone will overpay, he'll disappoint. Same old story as many who have came before him."
- robkaos7

Ed.'s note -- That depends on what is expected of him: don’t expect him to gain over 1,000 yards nor catch 10 TDs (he hasn’t done either yet). He’s only 25 and has some years ahead of him but he's not a No. 1.

From the corresponding Giants blog post:

"Realistically Manningham was suppose to be the #2 WR. It's just that Cruz went above and beyond last year and became their leading receiver. If they cut ties with [Brandon] Jacobs and let Kareem McKenzie go, they can sign Manningham as a # 2 and make Cruz earn that big contract in 2013 as a slot receiver."
- klabkebash

Ed.'s note -- It simply comes down to whether he is worth the money.

From Facebook:

"Manningham has made more than just "one catch" this year,but I get what everyone is saying. Someone will pay Mario for his playoff performance. Osi is a must at the right price."
- Da'Sean Smalls

Ed.'s note -- Right. Osi Umenyiora is worth the money he is asking for, and Manningham isn’t.

Want to remember all the good times with Manningham? Check out our free wallpaper and vote on the Hot Button.

It appears the Giants are looking for Jerrel Jernigan to step up this coming season, especially if Mario Manningham departs in free agency.

On Friday, Tom Coughlin mentioned Jernigan as one of the young players that could potentially step up with opportunity this coming season.

And on Saturday, GM Jerry Reese said the team has expectations for last year’s third-round pick.

“I think we have some good players we still want to come along,” Reese said when asked what the team may do if Manningham leaves. “To name a couple –- we drafted Jernigan in the third round. So we expect him to make the jump. Ramses Barden, who we drafted a couple years ago, had some injury issues, we expect him to contribute as well. Obviously, we’ll continue to look if we can’t bring Mario back.”

Jernigan largely played on special teams and did not have a catch during his rookie season. If Manningham signs elsewhere, the Giants will need a third wide receiver and Barden and Jernigan may battle it out in camp for that spot.

The Giants also need Jernigan to step up as a returner. The special teams needs a spark in the kick return and punt return areas.

A TIGHT SITUATION: Reese was asked about the Giants’ need at tight end after Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum both underwent ACL surgeries on Tuesday.

“Right now, we only have a couple of tight ends that are healthy so that’s definitely a concern for us,” the general manager said. “We have the two guys who had ACL surgeries. We have Bear Pascoe who’s healthy and we have a young practice squad kid that we like, Christian Hopkins. That’s a concern for us.”

“We’ll address it somehow, with the draft or free agency, but we’ll definitely look to address that,” Reese added. “And hopefully those guys [Ballard and Beckum] will be back at some point with the ACLs.”

Both tight ends could start the season on the PUP list.

GIANT CAP: The Giants will have some maneuvering to do to gain cap flexibility.

The Giants are $9 million over the cap at the moment according to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter. So Reese and his staff could be restructuring some contracts in the near future.

“You have to do what you have to do to get the players you need on your roster,” he said. “Sometimes you have to renegotiate some contracts and if we have to do that, we’re not afraid to do it. Right now, it looks like the cap is going to be flat. We’re not sure what the total is going to be. If we have to do it, we’re capable of doing it.”

Brandon Jacobs has a $500,000 roster bonus due next month so the Giants will have to make a decision on that in the next few weeks. Osi Umenyiora also is looking for a new contract and Reese said the team is open to the idea of an extension.

The Giants have 21 unrestricted free agents, two restricted free agents and one exclusive rights free agent. Manningham, cornerback Terrell Thomas, middle linebacker Jonathan Goff and punter Steve Weatherford are among the unrestricted free agents.

“We have some work to do in respect to the cap,” Reese said.

Tom Coughlin sounded the alarm here at the combine last year that the Giants needed a center entering the draft.

Of course, the Giants didn’t end up drafting a center but they did sign David Baas in free agency.

This year, Coughlin says tight end is the priority after the Giants watched Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum tear their ACLs in the Super Bowl.

Both underwent surgery on Tuesday and Coughlin said the rehab process will take at least seven months, which means the head coach will need tight end bodies in camp. At the moment, they have Bear Pascoe, who will be a restricted free agent, and Christian Hopkins, who was on the practice squad, as the two healthy tight ends on the team.

“That’d be nice,” Coughlin said when asked about getting a tight end. “It would be a nice thing. We had a pretty good combination we thought in terms of people who could block, people who could run up the field, that type of thing. Jake Ballard really did an outstanding job in all capacities. Became an excellent receiving tight end, made big play after big play for us and that was a great thing. Unfortunately, Ballard and Beckum both get injured, seriously injured in the Super Bowl. They both had their surgery and they’re on their way to recovery, but as you know that’s a lengthy recovery.”

The Giants draft 32nd overall in the first round.

ROAD TO RECOVERY: Coughlin said cornerback Terrell Thomas and middle linebacker Jon Goff are both part of his plan for next season. The two are unrestricted free agents and also recovering from ACL surgeries last year.

“All you can do is you have a plan,” Coughlin said. “And the plan certainly does include those two guys. How soon or whatever, that remains to be seen. The overall scope of needs, who you’d like to have and so on and so forth, that all becomes part of the plan.”

Coughlin -- who also revealed that Justin Tuck, Chris Canty and Linval Joseph underwent surgeries -- said Thomas and Goff should have enough time to be ready for the season if they re-sign.

PROTECTING THE LINE: Coughlin defended his offensive line when someone asked the head coach about the Giants’ O-line in his press conference.

“Well, I would argue with you about talent,” Coughlin said. “It's a very talented offensive line. Two out of the past four Super Bowls we've just won, and it basically was the same guys, give or take one or two. Eli [Manning has] always been a quick decision-maker, but the combination of our protection schemes, our athletes up front, the quarterback's ability to get the ball out quickly. That has served us very well because our sack numbers over the years have been down. That may be that one game Eli was exceptional at getting rid of the ball, but it comes down to protection as well. We're certainly a good offensive line, but in every circumstance, you have to continue to build and develop and bring along young players."

Jerry Reese admitted recently that he is not sure how the offensive line will look this coming season with left tackle Will Beatty having been cleared to return and Kareem McKenzie set to hit free agency. Extra offensive linemen Tony Ugoh and Stacy Andrews are also free agents.

NASCAR AT NASCAR: Three members of the Giants’ NASCAR package will be at NASCAR’s Daytona 500 on Sunday Feb. 26.

Osi Umenyiora, Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka will ride in the Grand Marshal pace car before the 54th running of the Daytona 500.

NASCAR was the name for the Giants’ four defensive end alignment on passing packages.

I recently gave my report card for the Giants 2011 season position-by-position. But because there was only so much space to discuss each position, I wanted to go more in-depth on each position and spin it forward to next season.

Today we look at the defensive line. On Monday: Linebackers.

DEFENSIVE LINE
Grade: A

It was a roller coaster-like season for the defensive line last season.

Osi Umenyiora opened camp refusing to practice over his contract, temporarily was allowed to seek a trade before coming back for three practices only to opt for surgery on his knee. But this might’ve been the biggest blessing in disguise for the Giants. While Umenyiora was missed, his absence allowed Jason Pierre-Paul to get valuable first-team reps in camp and the second-year stud took off, emerging into a superstar with 16.5 sacks.

He carried the defense on occasions during the season and, of course, even found time to block a field goal to help save the Giants’ season in Dallas.

The season was a battle for Justin Tuck, who suffered a stinger in the preseason and wasn’t himself until late in the season. Tuck battled through injuries and personal grief with the death of relatives throughout the season. But he finished the season strong with 5.5 sacks in his last six games, culminating with a two sacks in the Super Bowl.

After his turbulent start to the season, Umenyiora returned after missing the first three games and was sensational early on. But a high ankle sprain cost him four games later in the season and the Giants struggled without their speedy pass rusher.

But like Tuck, Umenyiora came on strong when the Giants needed him most at the end -- he had 5.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in his last five games -- and the pass rush came to life during the Giants’ final six-game winning streak.

Coinciding with this was the solid play of Chris Canty, Linval Joseph and Rocky Bernard inside. All three plugged the inside and even provided an added dimension to the pass rush.

The Giants’ depth at pass rusher is pretty much unmatched. Mathias Kiwanuka got more comfortable with his hybrid linebacker-defensive end role as the season progressed. And Dave Tollefson was another one of Reese’s underrated offseason moves. Re-signing Tollefson, who is popular in the locker room, was big and the veteran provided incredible depth at pass rusher.

The future, though, remains a bit hazy on the defensive line. Umenyiora still wants a raise and is under contract for this season at just under $4 million. He also still views himself as a starter and JPP is now the starting right defensive end. Tollefson, Bernard and DT Jimmy Kennedy are free agents.

The Giants will have second-round pick Marvin Austin returning after missing all of his rookie season due to injury but Austin still hasn’t played any football now since the 2009 season.

The Giants also have young developmental players like defensive end Justin Trattou and DT Dwayne Hendricks.

Draft-wise, do not discount Jerry Reese from taking another defensive lineman. He will always subscribe to the best player available theory and this year should be no different since the Giants are Super Bowl champs.

Tell us what your assessment is of the Giants defensive line and what you think the Giants should do this offseason below.

Osi Umenyiora says when it comes to his contract situation this year, he is going to take the silent route.

The defensive end said on SportsCenter on Monday morning that he learned being vocal and airing out his gripes with his contract last year did him no good.

“Just be quiet,” Umenyiora said when asked by Dana Jacobson about what he learned from how he handled his contract last year. “Don’t say nothing. There is no need to talk about it. Because at the end of the day as players we really have no control over exactly what is going to happen. The team is going to make the decision no matter what. So, coming out and being public and vocal doesn’t really get you where you need to go.”

“If anything work more behind the scenes,” he added. “And that is exactly what I plan on doing this year.”

Umenyiora is entering the final year of his contract worth just under $4 million. He wanted a raise last year or to be traded to a team that would give him a new contract but neither happened. He initially aired out his differences with GM Jerry Reese in an affidavit for the players' case against the NFL during the lockout. He sat out practices the first couple of weeks in training camp before returning for three practices and then opted for knee surgery when he experienced swelling in his knee. The Giants gave him and his agent a brief window to seek a trade before rescinding that offer.

Despite all that, Umenyiora said it never got ugly between him and the team.

"Me and Jerry Reese and the owners -- Mr. [John] Mara and Mr. [Steve] Tisch -- we are all cool," Umenyiora said while on The Mike and Mike show on Monday morning. "Even when all that stuff was going on, it wasn’t really as contentious as people would have thought. We sat down and had a lot of conversations. If anything happens in the event that I am traded or released, it is not going to be bad, they are probably going to be doing it for my own good in actuality, so I'll be happy with anything that happens."

After winning his second Super Bowl, Umenyiora has said he wants to remain a Giant. However, he still will want a raise and he’s still a starting defensive end in this league although as a Giant he would have to rotate in for Jason Pierre-Paul and Justin Tuck.

"I can see it going either way," Umenyiora said of whether he will stay or be traded. "I can see it where as they would keep me and I can see it where as they would trade me because it makes sense both ways. Hopefully things will work out in my interest. They have always made the right decisions for that organization whether that is keeping me or trading me. I would love to stay but I understand it is a business."

Umenyiora’s situation could heat up closer to the draft in April. But Umenyiora reiterates he wants to remain a Giant.

“I had a vision, I had a dream about exactly where I was going to be playing,” the defensive end said. “I had on a blue jersey. There was a ‘N’ somewhere around there, a ‘Y’ I think. Super Bowl rings. Hopefully that is where I will be. But you never know.”

It's 2 pm. Four-plus hours to go.

We're blogging some stories to read about the Giants before Super Bowl XLVI. At the top of every hour until 6 pm, there will be a blog posted with a link to another Giants story that came during this Super Bowl run that you might’ve missed either on a Giants player or an angle that could factor into tonight’s game. So check back every hour. Fourth up:

LORDS OF THE RINGS: When kickoff comes and all those camera flashbulbs pop in blinding unison, there will be a handful of Giants who will not be in awe of the moment. Here's the 15 Giants who played in Super Bowl XLII and why their experience was valuable in the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl and why it could be huge tonight.

Which Giant with a ring already will come up big again tonight in your mind? Tell us in the comments list below!

INDIANAPOLIS -- Was that Tom Coughlin smiling in his interview booth on Super Bowl media day?

The New York Giants went through their media day and looked relaxed. So relaxed that they looked like pros at the whole thing. As we make our bed check well before Coughlin's curfew, let's take a look at some of the things that happened today.

NEWS OF THE DAY: Brandon Jacobs and Osi Umenyiora (seen here) talked about whether this could be their final game as Giants. Not a bad way to go out if that's the case. Both have one year remaining on their contracts, but the Giants have a roster bonus to pay Jacobs and Osi will be looking for a raise again soon.

Jacobs also talked about his good friend Plaxico Burress and how Plax's heart remains Blue (well, before he was a Jet and a Giant, his heart was green for Michigan State but ... oh, never mind).

POSTCARD FROM INDY: By Super Bowl media day standards, this media day was rather tame. There were fans in the stands for the first time, but they remained mostly quiet outside of a few bursts of applause.

Where were all the celebs with the microphones? R&B star Ciara was the only celeb I spotted on the field. Where was the lovely Latina reporter who dresses in a wedding gown and proposes to players for fun? Instead, all we got was one television reporter dressed up as a super hero, another from VH1 dressed in old-time football uniform with leather helmet (here's Justin Tuck checking out his uniform) and some dude telling everyone that he's celebrating The Year of the Dragon. Oh, and there was Maria Menounos, who wore a Patriots jersey.

The players enjoyed the media day and actually seemed like they had gone through it several times before. Heck, Coughlin actually smiled often and actually seemed to be enjoying a full hour of non-stop questions. Who was this? Bizarro Coughlin?

"To be honest with you, it's great," Coughlin said when asked how he and the team were handling media day. "It's part of the deal. It's fun and it's nice once in a while to get a unique question. We all understand that this is very much a part of the reason why this game is so popular worldwide. You just try and enjoy it."

His son-in-law, Giants guard Chris Snee, was asked if Coughlin has gotten "warmer and fuzzier."

"Warmer? Fuzzier?" Snee asked. "I don't know if I'd use those adjectives, but he's lightened up a lot."

Snee was also asked if it is tough going from player to son-in-law with Coughlin.

"No, not at all," Snee said. "It's eight years of having this relationship, so we got it ironed out pretty good."

A few players were asked about Madonna, this year's halftime act. But otherwise, as Dave Tollefson tells you in the video above, this was a tame SB media day.

WHAT 'TREL SAY: This might be a fixture in the bed check. My man Antrel Rolle has been here for two days and is two-for-two on saying he expects the Giants to win. He looks relaxed on media day here. In case you didn't see this from earlier, Rolle isn't even the most outspoken one in his family of fighters.

Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks missed practice for the second straight day while running back Ahmad Bradshaw appeared to be practicing on Friday. Here's the breakdown from the portion of practice open to the media on Friday afternoon.

Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (shoulder): Nicks was on the side during practice and appeared to be missing his third straight day. Nicks injured his shoulder against the 49ers but said that he is going to play in the Super Bowl against the Patriots.

Running back Ahmad Bradshaw (foot): Bradshaw appeared to be practicing as per his usual schedule of not practicing the first two days of the week and then returning to practice on Friday. He has played in every game over the last two months.

Cornerback Corey Webster (hamstring): Webster was on the side and later on the bike during the portion open to the side and did not appear to be practicing. He is missing his second straight day of practice and has been dealing with his hamstring injury for weeks now.

Linebacker Jacquian Williams (foot): Williams was out for his second straight day and was actually not present at practice. There has been no real update on the linebacker's status and we will be updated later by coach Tom Coughlin about his status.

Cornerback Will Blackmon (knee): Blackmon was on the side and riding a bike. He missed his second straight day of practice as he battles his knee injury.

Center David Baas (abdomen/neck), linebacker Chase Blackburn (calf) and defensive end Osi Umenyiora (ankle/knee) all appeared to be practicing. Baas and Blackburn missed practice on Thursday while Umenyiora has been a constant on the injury report.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Party like it’s 2007 again (actually 2008) as the Giants are Super Bowl-bound for the first time since the ’07 season and will face the Patriots in the ultimate game –- again.

Here are three things to know about this upcoming Super Bowl XLVI match up:

Déjà Vu: Forgive the Giants if they’ve kind of seen this movie before. This season has had some “eerie” similarities to that 2007 squad that won it all.

That team lost to the undefeated Patriots in the regular-season finale, 38-35, at home before going on a tear in the playoffs. This season, the Giants lost to the then-undefeated Packers, 38-35, at home. And like in that regular-season loss to the Pats in ’07, the Giants gained a world of confidence from that loss. They’ve won six-of-seven games since that loss to the Packers.

Other similarities include the Giants avenging regular-season losses to the Packers and Niners in this Super Bowl run. In ’07, the Giants avenged regular-season losses to the Cowboys and Packers in the playoffs.

Lawrence Tynes sent them to the Super Bowl in both years with a game-winning field goal in overtime in the elements on the road.

And of course, they face the Patriots in the Super Bowl again.

“It is kind of eerie,” Justin Tuck said. “We have tried to downplay it all during this playoff run but I will be lying to you if it didn’t feel like ‘07. I mean, we are playing the Patriots too.”

One difference between this team and the 2007 squad is that Eli Manning is playing at a higher level and is more confident. He also has a better playmaking receiving tandem in Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz.

Elite Eli: Manning started the season by saying on The Michael Kay Show on ESPN New York 1050 that he is an elite quarterback, one that should be considered in Tom Brady’s class.

In their first meeting this season, Manning and Brady engaged in a classic duel. Brady was held in check for three quarters before throwing for two fourth-quarter touchdowns, including one that put the Patriots up 20-17 with 1:36 left. Brady hit Rob Gronkowski for a 14-yard touchdown on a fourth-and-nine.

But Manning marched 80 yards for a game-winning touchdown on a one-yard pass to Jake Ballard with 15-seconds left to stun Brady and the Pats with a 24-20 win.

Different Giants: The Giants are a different team now than that one that won in New England on Nov. 6. The Giants won that game without Ahmad Bradshaw and Nicks, who were out with injuries.

Their defense, which played well for three quarters against the Patriots, is playing at a different level now. The secondary is much better and the pass rush is healthier.

But Brady and the Patriots are playing better than they did back then and Bill Belichick has two weeks to devise a plan for revenge.

“I think it will be a factor,” Osi Umenyiora said when asked if the Patriots are looking for revenge for Super Bowl 42. “I think their coaching staff will come out really fired up and try to make a point.”

SAN FRANCISCO -- Stuck in traffic on a bus headed for rainy Candlestick Park on Sunday afternoon, Devin Thomas had a vision. Thomas is the No. 4 wide receiver for the New York Giants, and as such he doesn't get too many chances to make plays. He's a special teams guy, mainly, and not even a return man anymore after flopping in that role earlier this season. So when Thomas has a vision of himself making a huge play to help win a game, it's a special teams play -- a frantic, full-speed crazy play that no one could have seen coming.

"I knew I was going to do it," Thomas said. "I was just thinking today was one of those crazy days where something crazy's going to turn the game. And I had a vision in my mind that I would be the guy who did it."

Thomas made two such plays Sunday. He recovered two fumbles on punt returns by Kyle Williams, the 49ers' backup return man. The first set the Giants up for a go-ahead fourth-quarter touchdown at a time when they appeared totally incapable of moving the ball against the San Francisco defense. The second came in overtime, and a few minutes later, after Lawrence Tynes kicked the second NFC Championship Game-winning field goal of his career, the Giants had a 20-17 victory and a date with the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI.

"Our guys never quit, never have any doubts," said Giants quarterback Eli Manning, who spent his night being knocked around by fearsome 49ers defenders but never flinched, completing 32 of 58 passes for 316 yards and two touchdowns. "We just keep believing and keep fighting until the very end, no matter what the circumstances are."

These Giants are as improbable a Super Bowl participant as the NFL has seen in some time. Widely predicted (especially here) to miss the playoffs during the preseason, losers of four games in a row in a tough stretch in late November and earlier December, their record stood at 7-7 after a Week 15 loss to the division-rival Redskins. They have not lost a game since. If they had -- if they'd lost even one of the five games they've played since that loss to Washington -- they would not still be playing. The defining aspect of these Giants is their toughness, but out of that over the past five weeks has grown a patience and a discipline that's rooted in intense self-belief and has propelled them to unexpected heights.

"They have grit, now," a beaming head coach Tom Coughlin said of his second Giants Super Bowl team. "We've had five straight single-elimination games. We've played an awful lot of superior football teams this year, and that has certainly helped."

But no one could have seen this coming. Not from 6-6 or 7-7 and certainly not from the preseason, when they were dealing with a major injury per week and everybody was in love with the offseason the Eagles had. Back then, there was no way to know that Jason Pierre-Paul would become one of the best pass rushers in the league or that Victor Cruz would become one of its best wide receivers. The odds against both of those things happening were astronomical.

"I think we knew, here in this locker room," said rookie linebacker Jacquian Williams, who stripped the ball from Kyle Williams so that Thomas could pounce on it in overtime. "You see the talent those guys have on the practice field and you know it's just a matter of when they're going to get their opportunity."

From October, you couldn't have seen Williams coming. But he's become a critical asset in the Giants' coverage units over the past couple of months, and as he showed Sunday, he's capable of making game-changing plays on special teams. He laughed when I asked him how this was matching up to the expectations he'd had for his rookie season.

"Rookies don't usually have an opportunity to play," he said. "Especially when you got picked in the sixth round."

But this has been an all-hands-on-deck kind of season for the Giants, and opportunities have piled up. Brandon Jacobs got an opportunity to be a big part of the running game again when Ahmad Bradshaw got hurt. Bradshaw had the bigger game Sunday, but Jacobs has been a key part of the current streak. Osi Umenyiora came back from a late-season ankle injury and has elevated the pass rush to teetering heights, terrorizing quarterbacks and forcing fumbles during this run and helping Pierre-Paul and Justin Tuck get free to wreak their own havoc.

"I love these guys. They've had my back the whole time," said Umenyiora, who's transformed from cranky contract complainer to peaceful, happy team player in a span of a few months. "So I wasn't going to come back and be selfish. I just wanted to come back and do what they need me to do, whatever that is. That's what I've done and it's had an impact."

This Giants team may have led the league in surprise clutch performances. You may be able to say you thought Cruz would be good, or that Pierre-Paul would come on quickly, or that Umenyiora would put his personal stuff aside for the good of the team. You may be able to say you knew Manning was going to play turnover-free football in the conference title game against a team that forced 43 turnovers in its first 17 games. You may be able to say you knew Mathias Kiwanuka was going to change positions and be a critical part of the defense, or even that you believed Williams and Thomas would be making key plays in the biggest game of the season.

But to say you saw all of that coming? You'd have to be crazy to expect anyone to buy that. These Giants represent the reason we watch sports -- to be surprised and amazed, to see human beings push their own limits and achieve things few expected of them. These Giants are overachievers, a team that has found ways to win all year when it didn't appear they should. And you can't be that without getting big-time contributions from every corner of the roster.

"I think we always believed -- in ourselves, in our coaches, in our plan, in each other," wide receiver Hakeem Nicks said. "And that's the reason why we're here."

There are so many reasons, and they range from the obvious to the obscure. Nobody picked Thomas to make the plays that won the NFC Championship Game, because Thomas is the kind of guy you have to work hard to remember is still on the team. But as the Giants left their locker room late Sunday night, Thomas carried the ball he'd recovered in overtime and got right back on the bus where he'd envisioned himself doing just that. It may have been a surprise to the rest of us, but it wasn't to Thomas, and it wasn't to the Giants. There are many, many people who are surprised to find the Giants still standing. But the Giants are not among them. They may not have known how they were going to do this, but they always believed they would. And it's quite a varied and remarkable collection of players that has found a way.

Giants center David Baas and tight end Jake Ballard did not appear to be practicing during the portion of practice open to the media on Friday. While Ballard was standing around during reps, Baas was nowhere to be seen. Both of them had practiced all week and have played in the playoffs, so we'll have to see what appears to have sidelined the two for the day.

Running back Ahmad Bradshaw (foot) was on the field and appeared to be practicing, as per his usual schedule of taking Wednesday and Thursday off and then practicing on Friday. Defensive ends Justin Tuck (shoulder) and Osi Umenyiora (knee/ankle), cornerback Corey Webster (hamstring) and linebackerMark Herzlich (ankle) all appeared to be practicing as well.