Super Bowl 2012: MVP Predictions Besides Eli Manning and Tom Brady

The last time the Patriots and Giants met in the Super Bowl, David Tyree made a catch that will be shown on Super Bowl highlights until the end of time. Tyree made the biggest, and last, catch of his career in this game, and it helped set up an improbable journey to an NFL title.

The catch etched David Tyree's name in football history.

While Brady and Manning are the front-runners and safe bets for MVP, here are some other players, from both teams, that could get loose and cause a hellacious day for the opposition.

Stevan Ridley, Patriots

Ridley, a rookie from Louisiana State, has found himself in the doghouse with Bill Belichick recently. Ridley wasn't even on the active roster a few weeks ago against Baltimore, but Ridley has said he expects to play today.

This has the whole redemption factor built into it; Ridley fumbled against Buffalo and Denver in back-to-back weeks. The Denver fumble was the costly one, as it came in the playoffs.

Ridley has good size at 225 pounds, and, if New England decides to pound the rock today, this is the guy.

Projected Stats: 16 Rushes, 107 yards and 2 TDs

Deon Grant, Giants

The picture tells everyone what they need to know: Deon Grant can smack with the best of them. Grant can also make plays on the ball; he has 30 career picks.

While I acknowledge the Patriots' toughness, nobody wants to get screwed into the ground for four quarters. After a few big hits expect some balls to get dropped on the Pats side.

Projected Stats: 8.5 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 INT (return for a TD)

Sterling Moore, Patriots

Moore saved the Patriots' season in the conference championship game against Baltimore, when he knocked the ball out of Lee Evans' hands in the end zone.

Moore, an undrafted player from Southern Methodist University, has big-play ability, as he has demonstrated numerous times this season.

Moore is the latest hidden gem that Belichick and his staff have found. Moore has dealt with being cut and re-signed in his short NFL career and is now a starter on a Super Bowl defense.

Projected Stats: 4 tackles and 2 INT

Jake Ballard, Giants

Ballard was huge in the Giants' regular season victory over New England. Ballard caught the game-winning touchdown and really helped expose the Pats linebackers inability to cover.

Expect more of the same today. Ballard is huge and is decently athletic. While Ballard is neither Aaron Hernandez or Rob Gronkowski, he is a very solid option for the Giants.

Projected Stats: 8 catches, 94 yards and 2 TDs

Aaron Hernandez, Patriots

He plays in the slot, in the backfield and at his primary spot tight end. Hernandez is the other part of the dynamic duo that the Pats have formed at tight end.

While Gronkowski gets a lot of attention, Hernandez can hurt the other team as well. Hernandez had a huge game against Denver in the regular season.

Also, with Gronkowski's ankle a little banged up, this could be the day for Hernandez to have huge numbers.

Projected Stats: 10 catches, 138 yards and 3 TDs, 4 rushes, 46 yards

Victor Cruz, Giants

The Giants hometown hero has come on strong this season.

The Giants needed another option in the passing game, besides Hakeem Nicks. Cruz has made plays his whole career whether it was against the Jets in the preseason when he had three TDs in the second half, or when he had a 74-yard TD against Philly and introduced us to "The End Zone Salsa."

Cruz is also coming off a good performance against the 49ers in the conference championship. Expect Cruz to get loose and flash his dance moves to the world tonight.

Protected Stats: 9 catches, 176 yards and 2 TDs, including a 93-yard TD catch right before the half