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PHOENIX, Arizona: Would-be giant-killers the New York Giants arrived
Monday evening in Arizona, where they will attempt to topple the
unbeaten New England Patriots in Super Bowl 42.
Despite a delayed arrival, the defiant underdogs
came out in a show of sartorial unity as they fielded their first
questions from the horde of media on hand for the National Football
League’s cham-pionship spectacular.
Linebacker Antonio Pierce said the decision of
players to dress in black suits signaled their attitude to a serious
“business trip.”
He shrugged off suggestions they looked more as
if they were headed to a funeral.
“I don’t know anything about that,” he
said. “I’ve got a football game to play Sunday. The Lombardi
Trophy is here, and we plan on taking it back to New York and
playing a hell of a game.”
They’ll need to in order to stop the Patriots,
who are bidding to become the second team in NFL history to complete
a perfect campaign. The 1972 Miami Dolphins went 17-0, including
their Super Bowl triumph.
While the Patriots could win their fourth title
in seven seasons, the Giants are returning to the Super Bowl for the
first time since 2001 and last won one in 1991.
New England has 20 players on its roster who
have played in the Super Bowl, while the Giants have only three. Of
that trio, only Amani Toomer and Michael Strahan remain from New
York’s last Super Bowl bid.
“Everybody’s excited,” said Giants coach
Tom Coughlin. “The stewardess [on the plane] mentioned that a
couple of times—that the guys were excited and really looking
forward to it. The anticipation and excitement is at a high.”
-- AFP
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