Giants vs. Patriots: 7 Rookies Facing Most Pressure in Super Bowl XLVI

Jacquian Williams, Giants
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It’s a rare professional football player who doesn’t feel the chest-tightening pressure that comes from playing in the Super Bowl.

In baseball, hockey and basketball, it takes seven games to produce a champion. In football, it’s one and done. One mistake can cost a franchise football’s ultimate prize.

The pressure builds.

For rookies, it can be even worse.

They are still in the midst of proving themselves. In most cases, they’ve played a whole season just trying to get in a position where they command respect from their teammates, their coaches and their fans.

And now they risk blowing it all on one play in the one game that may be their only Super Bowl appearance.

Pressure? Yeah, these rookies are up against it.

7. Prince Amukamara, CB, Giants

Prince Amukamara, Giants
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For most of his rookie season, Prince Amukamara wasn’t a factor for the Giants.

It was not because Amukamara didn’t have the right skill set; it was that a broken foot had him on the bench for nine games.

He’s healthy now, but he has his biggest challenge of the season. As the extra cornerback in the New York nickel defensive package, he will be matched up against some of the best in the game.

At various times he will face off with wide receiver Wes Welker and stellar tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez.

6. Stevan Ridley, RB, Patriots

Stevan Ridley, Patriots
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New England got a good first season out of Ridley, who was a reliable ball carrier down the stretch for the pass-happy Patriots.

But he fumbled twice in the AFC divisional game, and any kind of repeat Sunday will have coach Bill Belichick looking for somebody else to pack the ball.

5. Greg Jones, LB, Giants

Greg Jones, Giants
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In a perfect world, New York would start Michael Boley at middle linebacker.

Things aren’t perfect, however, and with Boley slowed by a hamstring injury, that could mean lots of extra playing time for rookie linebacker Greg Jones.

When Boley couldn’t go in the NFC Championship Game, Jones and another rookie, Spencer Paysinger, divvied up the plays trying to fill in.

It’s no small task, because Boley calls the defensive signals, so things get no easier for his replacements this week.

4. Sterling Moore, CB, Patriots

Sterling Moore, CB, Patriots
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The spotlight didn’t bother New England corner Sterling Moore two weeks ago.

It was Moore who stepped up and disconnected Baltimore receiver Lee Evans from the football, breaking up what very well could have been a game-winning Ravens touchdown.

Things don’t get easier for Moore this time around.

The Giants have a group of receivers in Victor Cruz, Mario Manningham and Hakeem Nicks who are more proven than that of the Ravens.

3. Henry Hynoski, FB, Giants

Henry Hynoski, Giants
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Much has been made of the New York resurgence that not only got them into the playoffs but into the Super Bowl as well.

Although he’s just a rookie and theoretically still learning the ropes, fullback Henry Hynoski has been a huge part of that.

He’s served as a blocking back, opening big holes that have allowed the running game to take the pressure off Eli Manning. He’s served effectively as a pass blocker as well.

If that breaks down Sunday, however, all that will have been for naught.

2. Nate Solder, OT, Patriots

Nate Solder, OT, Patriots
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There might not be any player who is up against the pressure-o-meter more than New England tackle Nate Solder.

Not only is he a rookie, but he might have his assignments for his first Super Bowl all scrambled around.

If tight end Rob Gronkowski is slowed or unable to play completely because of his ankle injury, New England coach Bill Belichick might look for Solder to step in from time to time as a blocking tight end.

And why not? Solder was a tight end in college his first two years at Colorado before making the move to the interior line.

Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady has had a marvelous season throwing to his tight ends. And if the Solder happens to be open …

Now that’s pressure.

1. Jacquian Williams, LB, Giants

Jacquian Williams, Giants
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For someone who wasn’t even taken in the draft last year, things have turned around for New York linebacker Jacquian Williams.

He’s a starting outside linebacker for the Giants. And the fact that it’s not clear how physically fit he’s going to be for Sunday’s showdown with the Patriots shows just how far he’s come in a year.

Williams came up with perhaps the play of the game against San Francisco, forcing a fumble from 49ers’ punt returner Kyle Williams that set up New York’s game-winning field goal.

But can he play at the same level with an injured foot?