Mario Manningham grabs attention

INDIANAPOLIS — During last night’s back-and-forth Super Bowl XLVI, New York Giants wide receivers Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham and Victor Cruz talked on the sideline about who was going to step up — like a game-changing moment was bound to involve one of them.
After all, the Giants recorded six comeback victories along the road to the Super Bowl.

And on the biggest drive of the season, it was Manningham who came through. The wideout made an outstanding grab of a 38-yard bomb from quarterback Eli Manning along the left sideline to help set up the winning score in the 21-17 decision over thePatriots [team stats].

“We knew that one of use was going to have to make a big play,” Manningham said. “We didn’t know when, though. So, you know, bite your tongue, be patient, the ball’s going to come to you.”

In the fourth quarter, the Giants offense got the ball back on its 12-yard line with 3:46 remaining. As Manningham lined up, defensive back Sterling Moore acted like the Patriots were in man coverage. But at the last minute, safety Patrick Chung rotated over for the cover-2 the Pats were playing all game.

Manningham was able to get inside of Moore as Chung ran to his left. Manning threw the ball deep and, as it touched Manningham’s fingers, he planted his feet before falling out of bounds.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick challenged the call in hopes of having the reception overturned, but Manningham was never concerned.

“Wherever I was at, as soon as the ball hit my fingertips I just froze my feet and just fell. I knew I was either going to be hit or hit the ground,” Manningham said. “I knew something was going to happen, but I knew I couldn’t let that ball go.”

Manningham (five catches, 73 yards) caught three balls on the drive as the Giants rolled down the field and scored the winning touchdown. It was a positive finish for a receiver who’s production dropped off this season (523 yards, four touchdowns) from the year before (944 yards, nine TDs).

The performance also provided Manningham the chance to walk the walk after trash-talking the Pats secondary last week.

“I just go out and do my job,” Manningham said. “I know plays are going to come. You’ve got to have a short-term memory playing wide receiver. Take advantage of every ball that comes your way.”