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| (Jamie Squire/Getty Images North America) |
Sunday night Eli Manning might have been awarded the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player but Hakeem Nicks might have been the Giants most valuable player during their playoff run. In the Super Bowl, Nicks had 10 catches for 109 yards. Those 10 receptions was one shy of the Super Bowl receptions record of 11, held by Dan Ross, Jerry Rice, Wes Welker and Deion Branch. Nicks' stats in the Giants four playoff wins were 28 catches for 444 yards and 4 touchdowns. Nicks took advantage of the emergence of Victor Cruz as opposing defenses seemed to game plan for Cruz more so than Nicks. This was Nicks first Super Bowl appearance but, with the young receiving trio and Eli Manning under center, it should not be his last.
Perry Fewell's defense set the tone for the Giants on their first defensive play of the game. Justin Tuck forced Tom Brady to throw the ball away and receive an intentional grounding penalty, which resulted in a safety. Fewell spent 1985-86 as a graduate assistant of the Tar Heels before getting a coaching job at Army. Fewell has been the Giants defensive coordinator since 2010.
Giants second round pick and former Tar Heel, Marvin Austin, had a season ending injury in the preseason. He should make a full recovery and his presence will only strengthen the Giants defensive line next year as they should be the favorite to win the NFC East.
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