Super Bowl 2012: Players Who Will Make Big Impact in First Super Bowl Appearance

Both the New England Patriots and New York Giants have remnants on their rosters from when the two teams clashed in the Super Bowl four years ago, but they are both largely different teams. Of course Tom Brady, Eli Manning and some of the major players are still in the fold, but this game isn't a carbon copy of the last one.

Both teams have had some young players who weren't even in the league four years ago step up this season. With that in mind, we will likely see some new major players come up big in this edition of the Giants vs. Patriots Super Bowl.

Here are three first-time Super Bowl participants who will make a big impact in their Super Bowl Sunday debut.

DL Jason Pierre-Paul (NYG)

When the Giants took out the Patriots in the Super Bowl four years ago and ruined their undefeated season, a big reason for that was their pass rush. Brady was sacked five times in that game thanks to a ferocious defensive line led by Michael Strahan, Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck. Umenyiora and Tuck are still in the fold, while Strahan has retired. New York's pass rush is as strong as ever, though, thanks to the relentless Jason Pierre-Paul.

JPP was fourth in the league this year with 16.5 sacks in the regular season in just his second year in the NFL. He spearheaded a Big Blue pass rush that ranked third in the league in overall sacks. Not only is Pierre-Paul big at 6'5" and 278 lbs, but he very well may be the most athletic player at any position in football. If New York is going to upset New England again, Pierre-Paul will have to come up big.

TE Rob Gronkowski (NE)

All of the talk leading up to this Sunday's Super Bowl has been regarding Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski's ankle. Big Gronk left the AFC Championship Game after his ankle was pinned under Baltimore Ravens safety Bernard Pollard on a tackle. Gronkowski has been in a walking boot, but he is wearing it no longer and is listed as questionable. There is little doubt that he will gut it out to play in the biggest game football has to offer.

Gronkowski had the most prolific season by a tight end in NFL history as he caught 90 passes for 1,327 yards and an incredible 17 touchdowns. Obviously Gronkowski isn't going to be 100 percent for the Super Bowl, but his mere presence is of great importance. Not only will he take some pressure off the other offensive weapons, but thanks to his size and skill, he always presents the defense with a mismatch.

WR Victor Cruz (NYG)

In what may have been the most surprising individual performance this season, Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz essentially came from out of nowhere to become one of the NFL's premier pass-catchers. During the regular season he reeled in 82 throws for 1,536 yards and nine touchdowns. Not only did he sufficiently replace the departed Steve Smith, but he supplanted Mario Manningham on the depth chart and may have even passed Hakeem Nicks as Manning's No. 1 target.

Cruz was fantastic in the Giants' hard-fought victory over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game nearly two weeks ago. He ended up with 10 catches for 142 yards and left it all out on the field. Cruz had many spectacular games this season, but he will need to come with his best effort against the Pats. New England struggled defending the pass all season long, so Cruz should be in for a great game.