INDIANAPOLIS — Osi Umenyiora couldn’t play on a high ankle sprain, and he doubts Patriots star tight end Rob Gronkowski can do it, either.
The Giants defensive end missed four straight games this season after suffering a similar injury against the Saints, and he admits he wasn’t at full strength even after he returned. Gronkowski is going to try to play in Super Bowl XLVI only two weeks after turning his ankle in the AFC Championship.
“I wouldn’t have been able to play. I know that for a fact,’’ Umenyiora said. “We play different positions, mine is more cutting, spinning, things like that. He can be more of a straight-line guy. I think with a high ankle sprain it’s not the straight-line things that get you, it’s the when you try to cut and turn around, that’s when it gets you. “Two weeks later would I have been able to play? Probably I could have lined up out there, but would I have been effective? Not at all. They’re going to wrap him up, shoot him up, give him all kinds of pain killers and hope for the best, that’s all they can do.’’
COMPLETE GIANTS SUPER BOWL COVERAGE
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Rookie LB Jacquian Williams was not wearing a boot on his right foot after coming out of the NFC Championship with a sprain. He said he has not tried to run yet but thinks he can do something in practice today.
“I’ll be on the field,’’ he said. “It’s a day-to-day thing but I wouldn’t miss it for the world.’’
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Chris Snee said he senses Colts fans are rooting for the Giants.
“I think that’s maybe not so much about us but about their hatred of the Patriots,’’ Snee said.
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Before Media Day began the Giants got a stern warning from coach Tom Coughlin to watch what they say.
“This week we’re not going to say anything crazy because it’s been hammered in our heads not to say anything crazy,” Umenyiora said.
That didn’t stop him from taking a dig at the Jets when asked if he felt any brotherhood toward the Jets.
“They’re our younger brothers, but they’re our brothers nonetheless.’’
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Patriots tackle Matt Light did not appear at media day yesterday because of an illness, the NFL said. Light has not spoken since Umenyiora talked about his dislike for him last week. The two have a history of fighting.
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Rookie CB Prince Amukamara is raffling an all-expenses-paid trip to the Super Bowl, with proceeds going to promote literacy in sub-Saharan Africa through the International Foundation for Self-Help. The winner will receive two tickets to the game, two-night hotel accommodations, up to $2,500 for travel and expenses, lunch with Amukamara and memorabilia.
Tickets are $2 each at princeraffle.org. The drawing is tomorrow.
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Patriots tackle Sebastian Vollmer will play Sunday, offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia told WEEI. Vollmer has played in six games this season as he’s battled injuries.
“He’ll play. He’ll play in this game at some point, whether we have Nate [Solder] outside or him at tackle,” Scarnecchia said. “He’s going to be out there, and thank God we’ve got him.”
The Patriots offensive line expects to get tested by the Giants’ pass rush. Vollemer’s presence will give the unit a boost.
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Shaun Ellis, a former long-time Jets defensive lineman, on finally playing in Super Bowl: “It’s definitely a humbling experience to be able to get to a Super Bowl with a team you disliked for so long. It keeps everything in perspective. A lot of hard work paid off. It’s something you can’t take for granted.”
George Willis contributed to this report