Super Bowl 2012: 7 Players from Each Team with the Most to Prove

Super Bowl XLVI will define the careers of many players.

Whether it pertains to legacy, salary or a personal vendetta, each team is full of players with things to prove.

And come Sunday, the New York Giants and New England Patriots will use the grandest stage of all to convey their message.

The backdrop to this story was written in 2007 and needs no further explanation.

Here are seven players from each team that hope to add their own chapter.

Julian Edelman, WR/CB

You’re bound to see Edelman on Sunday—whether on offense, defense or special teams remains to be determined.

Edelman is listed as a wide receiver, but he has also been used on defense in nickel and dime coverage as a cornerback.

The Giants are well aware of his background, and the wide receiver trio of Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz and Mario Manningham plan to exploit him.

Chad Ochocinco, WR

The once brash, look-at-me kind of receiver definitely hasn’t had much to talk about this season.

His struggles have been immense. His contributions have been minuscule.

One year removed from Cincinnati, Ochocinco has a stat line of 15 receptions, 276 yards and one touchdown.

His numbers speak for themselves.

After 10 years with the Bengals and zero playoff victories, Ochocinco will be looking to affect the Super Bowl in a positive manner—that’s if he can get onto the field.

Stephen Gostkowski, K

Adam Vinatieri will forever live in the hearts of Patriot fans, even though he is a currently a member of the Indianapolis Colts.

When it comes to clutch kicking, Vinatieri set the bar extremely high.  Gostkowski has a lot to live up to as the Patriots' kicker on Sunday.

With Super Bowls XXXVI, XXXVIII and XXXIX decided by the leg of the kicker, don’t be surprised if this year is any different.

In a postseason that has been littered with special teams miscues, one mistake in this game may be all it takes to lose.

Logan Mankins, G

The Giants’ Super Bowl run has been built on the arm of Eli Manning and the strength of their defensive line.

The Giants enter this game with nine postseason sacks, while the Patriots have allowed just one.

Pass-rushers Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora, Jason Pierre-Paul, and Mathias Kiwanuka have the ability to get to the quarterback from any position on the defensive line.

It will be up to Mankins, who has been rated as the best guard over the past three years, to keep Brady upright and clean.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB

Throughout his career, Green-Ellis has protected the ball exceptionally well.

In fact, he’s been perfect.

In 562 career rushes, catches and kickoff returns, he has not fumbled.  And just like in any other game, he’ll be expected to do the same on Super Bowl Sunday. 

In the past two playoff games, the Giants have forced seven fumbles—that’s right, I said seven!

Out of these seven, they have been able to recover five.

With Brady leading the aerial attack, it’ll be up to “The Law Firm” to keep the chains moving on the ground.

If New England is unable to establish the run, look for the Giants’ pass-rush to give Brady fits.

Aaron Hernandez, TE

Compare these stats for a second.

79 receptions, 910 yards, 7 touchdowns.

90 receptions, 1,327 yards, 17 touchdowns.

One set of these numbers belongs to tight end Rob Gronkowski, while the other belongs to his counterpart, Aaron Hernandez.

Although Hernandez has had a solid season, his contributions have been largely overshadowed by his teammate.

Entering the Super Bowl, Gronkowski has suffered from a high left ankle sprain that has forced him to miss consecutive days of practice.

With Gronkowski unlikely to be at full health, it will be interesting to see whether or not Hernandez can maintain the effectiveness of the Patriots’ two tight end sets.

Tom Brady, QB

What else does a three-time Super Bowl champion have to prove? 

After all, Brady didn’t lose to Eli in 2007.  He was simply beaten.

Now in 2012, Brady has a chance to redeem himself for the one that got away.

He has a chance to right a wrong.  He can ease the sting of imperfect perfection.  He can prove that a miracle only happens once.

He can beat a Manning for a ring.

David Baas, C

The offensive line of the New York Giants has been the biggest question mark all year.

Right in the middle of that offensive line is center David Baas, who will be assigned the responsibility of blocking All-Pro defensive tackle, Vince Wilfork.

There have been moments during the season where Wilfork has looked uninspired.

The playoffs are a different story. 

With nine total tackles, two-and-a-half sacks and two run stuffs, Wilfork has been a dominant force.

If Baas can’t keep Wilfork contained, the Giants’ rushing attack will suffer and the pocket will collapse.

Ahmad Bradshaw, RB

Bradshaw has averaged 4.3 yards per carry throughout the postseason and hasn’t found the end zone once.

If he wants to prove his worth, there wouldn’t be a better time to do so.

His ability to run the ball and attack the edges will be crucial to the Giants when they call for play-action.

Since the Patriots like to bring pressure with their linebackers, expect Bradshaw to be tested in pass protection as well.

Prince Amukamara, CB

I hate to single out a rookie, especially one who has battled an injury and a shortened offseason, but he will be critical to stopping the Patriots on third down.

As the third corner on the depth chart, he will likely be lining up in the slot on passing situations—opposite of Wes Welker.

The combination of Brady and Welker has combined for 331 completions over the past three regular seasons.

Look for Brady to exploit this matchup throughout the game.

Mathias Kiwanuka, LB

Kiwanuka has done a commendable job after making the switch from defensive end to strongside linebacker.

Against the Patriots, he may find himself covering the bruising Hernandez and then switching over to shadow scatback, Danny Woodhead, in the open field.

This is no easy task.

If and when the Giants do decide to blitz, Kiwanuka will likely get the call. 

If he is unable to bring additional pressure, look for Brady to pick apart an injury-depleted secondary.

Antrel Rolle, S

Throughout the Super Bowl, Rolle is likely to find himself in one-on-one coverage against either of New England’s tight ends.

Whether it be Gronkowski or Hernandez, both have the ability to create separation on shallow crossing routes and deep streaks.

It will be up to Rolle to make sure this doesn’t happen again.

Osi Umenyiora, DE

The defensive end returned from injury during their Week 17 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.

After missing the entire month of December due to injury, Umenyiora had two sacks in his return.

During their three game playoff run, Umenyiora has totaled three and a half sacks, while forcing a fumble.

His return to the defensive line has been imperative to the Giants’ ability to get to the quarterback.

With him likely to be lining up against rookie right tackle Nate Solder, Umenyiora will be expected to continue his dominant play.

Eli Manning, QB

As the contrary to Brady, Manning can prove that their first Super Bowl win wasn’t a fluke.

By winning in Indianapolis, little brother can separate himself from Peyton’s shadow and double his ring total.

Manning has thrown for 923 yards, eight touchdowns and one interception during these playoffs.

With a second consecutive Super Bowl victory against Brady, Eli can put an end to the “elite quarterback” controversy and join the fraternity.