Super Mario to Play in Super Game
Just a few weeks back, not too many people believed the New York Giants would be participating in the post-season. Many doubters thought that the Jets, who had their backs against the wall, in week sixteen would eliminate the Giants. That did not happen as big blue earned a 29-14 victory. The final week of the season, Dallas made the trip to MetLife Stadium for a Sunday Night affair. The G-Men jumped out to a 21-0 halftime lead en route to their first NFC East Championship since 2008, 31-14.
Obviously the Giants’ suffocating defense has been the catalyst to their success in this year’s late run throughout the playoffs. Dominating the Falcons in the Wildcard round by a score of 24-2 and their shocking victory over Green Bay, 37-20, led to last weekend’s thrilling overtime 20-17 win to get past the 49ers.
However, you can not discount an offense which has been playing at such a high level. From Eli Manning to the salsa dancing Victor Cruz, big blue has been picking apart the opposition with their offense just as much as their defense has been punishing rival quarterbacks. One of the many reasons for their success has been the health of #82, Mario Manningham. In this post-season, Manningham has made 8 catches for an average of 14.5 yards. Super Mario has caught a touchdown in each of his team’s three playoff contests.
The former Warren Harding native has the opportunity to become just the sixth athlete from an area high school whose team won the ultimate prize (Paul Warfield, Matt Cavanaugh, Bernie Kosar, Jeff Wilkins, Marlin Jackson).
Manningham’s NFL Regular Season Stats
Year | Team | REC | YDS | AVG | TD |
2011 | Giants | 39 | 523 | 13.4 | 4 |
2010 | Giants | 60 | 944 | 15.7 | 9 |
2009 | Giants | 57 | 822 | 14.4 | 5 |
2008 | Giants | 4 | 26 | 6.5 | 0 |
Manningham’s 2012 Post-Season StatsDate | Opponent | REC | YDS | AVG | TD |
Jan. 22 | at 49ers | 1 | 17 | 17.0 | 1 |
Jan. 15 | at Packers | 3 | 31 | 10.3 | 1 |
Jan. 8 | Falcons | 4 | 68 | 17.0 | 1 |
Manningham’s College Stats at MichiganYear | REC | YDS | AVG | TD |
2007 | 72 | 1,174 | 16.3 | 12 |
2006 | 38 | 703 | 18.5 | 9 |
2005 | 27 | 433 | 16.0 | 6 |
Local High School’s Super Bowl WinnersSuper Bowl | Player/POS | High School | Result | Location |
XLI | Marlin Jackson/CB | Sharon | Colts 29 Bears 17 | Miami |
XXXIV | Jeff Wilkins/K | Fitch | Rams 23 Titans 16 | Atlanta |
XXVIII | Bernie Kosar/QB | Boardman | Cowboys 30 Bills 13 | Atlanta |
XXV | Matt Cavanaugh/QB | Chaney | Giants 20 Bills 19 | Tampa |
XIX | Matt Cavanaugh/QB | Chaney | 49ers 38 Dolphins 16 | Palo Alto |
VIII | Paul Warfield/WR | Harding | Dolphins 24 Vikings 7 | Houston |
VII | Paul Warfield/WR | Harding | Dolphins 14 Redskins 7 | Los Angeles |
Local High School & College Receiving Statistics from Super BowlSuper Bowl | Receiver | School | REC | YDS | TD |
| XLIV | Pierre Garcon | Mount Union | 5 | 66 | 1 |
VIII | Paul Warfield | Harding | 2 | 32 | 0 |
VII | Paul Warfield | Harding | 3 | 36 | 0 |
VI | Paul Warfield | Harding | 4 | 39 | 0 |
New York Giants’ Super Bowl AppearancesSuper Bowl | Result | MVP |
XLII | Giants 17 Patriots 14 | Eli Manning, NYG/QB |
XXXV | Ravens 34 Giants 7 | Ray Lewis, BAL/LB |
XXV | Giants 20 Bills 19 | Ottis Anderson, NYG/RB |
XXI | Giants 39 Broncos 20 | Phil Simms, NYG/QB |
