Unlike four years ago when they dressed in black suits as a symbol of unity before facing the undefeated Patriots, the Giants returned to the Super Bowl this time with no sartorial gimmicks.
Touching down in Indianapolis for their rematch with New England on Sunday, the Giants are simply a confident team. They believe in themselves as much as they did in 2008 when they ruined the Patriots' perfect season with a stunning 17-14 victory in Arizona.
"We had no doubt," guard Chris Snee said Monday, referring to the Giants' feelings four years ago. "You have to be a confident team when you get on the plane. You reach this game for a reason. It's not by chance. You have to be confident coming out here." The Giants tried to demonstrate that four years ago with their all-black attire.
This year, Justin Tuck left his black suit in the cleaners. Attire was a personal choice. If there is a difference this time it's not the way the Giants feel. It's the feeling about them. If they win, no one will be surprised. They beat the Patriots in the regular season, and they come to Indianapolis with almost as much momentum as New England, which won 10 in a row.
The streak for Eli Manning and company is just five, but the Giants seem to be getting better each week. Tuck insisted that teams don't get to this point in the season without believing in themselves. "It can be misunderstood for cockiness, and whatever else," Tuck said. "But at the end of the day, when we step on that football field, we believe we are going to win that football game. If you ask any athlete and he tells you anything different, then there is something wrong."
Safety Antrel Rolle was his usual self when asked about being confident. "I mean, we wouldn't have boarded the plane if we didn't expect to win," said Rolle, who lost a Super Bowl in February 2009 while playing for Arizona against the Steelers. "I think that is the bottom line. We have come here for one thing and one thing only, which is to win. We are expecting to win this game come Sunday."
Seahawks Robinson bids farewell to Paterno
Giants coach Coughlin not swayed by what people think of him
Vikings stadium vote jeopardized by unknowns
New Browns assistant has worked with Shurmur and Holmgren
Wright riles up Chargers fans with LosAngelesChargers tweet
