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Which Super Bowl was better Super Bowl XLII or Super Bowl XLVI?Dear Ralph:
*That's like asking me which of my three children is my favorite. It's very hard for me to choose between the two Super Bowls. The experiences were very similar. Both titles were somewhat unexpected, both included huge postseason road victories, brilliant performances by Eli Manning and Super Bowl victories over New England. But which was better? I don't know that you can ever say one Super Bowl victory is better than any other. If you force me to choose I'll say Super Bowl XLVI, because it was just three weeks ago and that championship feeling is so fresh.
How much do the Giants value the Scouting Combine? Is it useful and does every coach attend?Dear Kevin:*
*Yes, the coaches attend the scouting combine. Tom Coughlin is in Indianapolis for the entire event. The assistants attend to see the players in their specific positions or, in the case of the coordinators, their side of the ball. So defensive line coach Robert Nunn will travel to Indy to scout the line prospects, but he's not hanging out to watch the wide receivers. Kevin Gilbride is sizing up the offensive players, but he isn't studying the cornerbacks.
Jerry Reese and the Giants' decision-makers consider the combine very important, as they do any chance in which they have an opportunity to evaluate draft-eligible players. The combine gives them the opportunity to study a high volume of players in a short period of time. Having said that, the Giants place more importance on a player's production and performance during the season than what he does running and participating in drills at the combine.
If the Giants lose Mario Manningham, do you think this will be the year Ramses Barden proves he deserved to be drafted as high as he was?Dear Alec:*
*I would like to think so, but at this point I think it's senseless to offer a prediction. Barden was drafted in 2009. In three years, he has played in 17 games and caught 15 passes. He has yet to score a touchdown. Barden seems to have the physical tools, but for whatever reason – and to be fair, injuries have held him back – he hasn't produced as the Giants had hoped. Whether or not Manningham returns, Barden will get a chance to show what he can do. But in year four, it's time for him to go do and for everyone else to stop talking about his potential.
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