Super Bowl 2012: 4 Rookies Sure to Fold Under the Bright Lights in Indianapolis

The Super Bowl presents a particularly difficult challenge to rookies. It's the biggest stage for the most popular sport in the nation, and there's increased pressure on every single player on the field to perform better than he ever has.

That pressure might prove to be too much for four rookies on the New York Giants' and New England Patriots' squads this week.

It's going to be hard for Giants rookie cornerback Prince Amukamara to catch up to the speed of the Patriots' passing game.

Amukamara missed nine games this year with a broken foot. Though he's not an every-snap starter, his role as a nickel corner means that he will be responsible for covering slot receiver Wes Welker as well as tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez at differing points in Sunday's game.

Considering the matchup nightmares the three have proven to be to more veteran players this year, Amukamara might find himself out of his depth in the Super Bowl.

The same goes for rookie Patriots corner Sterling Moore. Moore made a name for himself late in his team's AFC championship win over the Baltimore Ravens after he knocked the football out of Ravens receiver Lee Evans' hands, in what would have otherwise been a game-winning touchdown.

Giants receivers Mario Manningham, Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz are far bigger threats than Evans. Moore will need to keep from feeling overwhelmed by the trio of receivers, lest he gives up a play that proves fatal to his team's championship chances.

Stevan Ridley, the rookie Patriots running back, had a breakout season in 2011—or as much as can be possible on a team that relies as heavily on the passing game as the Patriots do.

In the final three weeks of the regular season, Ridley rushed for no fewer than 64 yards per game but found himself in head coach Bill Belichick's dog house after fumbling twice in the divisional round of the playoffs.

Ridley will have to calm his nerves and keep hold of the ball in the Super Bowl, or else he may truly find out what it's like to draw Belichick's wrath.

Another Patriots rookie might find himself overwhelmed in the Super Bowl—right tackle Nate Solder.

He's responsible for protecting quarterback Tom Brady from Giants pass rushers Osi Umenyiora and Jason Pierre-Paul, two of the fiercest defensive linemen in the league.

If the Patriots are to defeat the Giants, that means that Brady will have to remain upright and able to complete pass after pivotal pass. But relying on a rookie to make that happen is quite a gamble; should Solder falter, it could seriously cost his team

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