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Remember when the teacher said the final exam would count for half your final grade? Those who were killing it all semester were bummed and those who were slacking were pumped. Well, the Giants after an uneven and often uninspiring regular season barely got to the playoffs, but, once there, aced test after test, finishing with a flourish.
No one will claim the Giants are anything close to a perfect team, not even after they put together a near-flawless, six-game winning streak that started with a pounding of the Jets and ended with another escape job in the Super Bowl against the Patriots. There were issues that contributed to a 7-7 record after 14 games. The Giants nailed their last challenge, but that doesn’t mean everything they did beforehand is undone.
The final report card for the Super Bowl champion Giants:
QUARTERBACK: Best regular season of his career followed by epic postseason (nine TD passes, one INT) allowed Eli Manning to cross the barrier from very good to great. Main thrust was to cut down turnovers and he did that. At times he had to carry the team with his passing attack. Wonderful deep thrower and, as always, a rock of durability. Lombardi Trophy looks pretty natural held aloft in his right hand, doesn’t it? Grade: A.
RUNNING BACKS: Much better production in the postseason after a rough year for Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs. Both could have used some better blocking, both down in yardage and in effectiveness. Bradshaw (171 carries, 659 yards, 9 TDs) lost only one fumble all year, though. The lingering injuries to his feet (he missed four games with a stress fracture) are worrisome, but no one questions his heart or toughness and he had a big Super Bowl. Jacobs (152 carries, 571 yards, 7 TDs) does not set the physical tone like he used to but still can be a bear to tackle when he gets in space. D.J. Ware filled an expanded role and was solid as a receiver coming out of the backfield. Grade: C-plus.
RECEIVERS: Difficult to fathom the rise from nowhere of Victor Cruz, who came into the season with zero NFL catches and went out of it with 82 receptions for a franchise-record 1,536 yards, plus nine touchdowns. He was a big play waiting to happen (just ask the shell-shocked Jets). Hakeem Nicks (76 catches, 1,192 yards, 7 TDs) is everything the Giants envisioned when they made him a first-round pick and he was a dominant force (28 catches, four TDs) in the postseason. Mario Manningham made up for a sub-par regular season in which he was bothered by knee issues to soar in the playoffs; over-the-shoulder grab to jump-start game-winning Super Bowl drive will stand the test of time. Big step back for Ramses Barden and no real shot for rookie Jerrel Jernigan. Grade: A.
TIGHT ENDS: Free agency loss of Kevin Boss was not felt much at all, because second-year Jake Ballard (38 catches, 604 yards, 4 TDs) made the most of his opportunity, surprising the coaching staff with his penchant for making plays down the field. Shame he tore up his knee in the Super Bowl, casting his 2012 season in doubt. Not much of a year at all from Travis Beckum (only five catches) before showing some life in the postseason. He, too, faces a long rehab after a knee injury in the Super Bowl. Bear Pascoe (12 catches, 136 yards) was reliable when called upon. Grade: B.
OFFENSIVE LINE: Not the same continuity and often not the same efficiency, especially in the run game. Right side of Chris Snee and Kareem McKenzie was a constant — although McKenzie is slowing a bit — but left side was a juggle, with David Diehl again showing left tackle is his spot moving in for injured Will Beatty. Everyone scoffed when GM Jerry Reese said re-signing Kevin Boothe was a priority. No one scoffing now as Boothe emerged as a legit starter. Tough transition year for center David Baas coming over from 49ers. Grade: B.
DEFENSIVE LINE: Up front is where it’s at and are you down with JPP? What a sensational season for second-year Jason Pierre-Paul (16¹/₂ sacks). His long arms were everywhere, blocking field goals in overtime at Dallas and knocking away Tom Brady’s passes in the Super Bowl. A star is born. Assortment of injuries made Justin Tuck’s numbers (five sacks, 37 tackles) look ordinary, but he got healthier and came alive down the stretch and the playoffs. Once he quit moping, he was again the leader this team needs. Osi Umenyiora missed seven games, but had 12¹/₂ sacks in the 13 games he played, showing he still is a premier pass-rusher. Chris Canty had his best season of his three with the Giants, Linval Joseph held up as a first-time starter at tackle and Dave Tollefson (five sacks) provided quality depth. Grade: A-minus.
LINEBACKERS: Michael Boley had his best season, slowed only by a strained hamstring. His ability to make stops in short-yardage and also drop into coverage made him an every-down player and irreplaceable. Mathias Kiwanuka still looks like a lineman, but when he got more involved against the run, the yardage allowed took a dive. The big story here was Chase Blackburn, who was out of football until he got the call in early December. Giants went 6-1 with him starting in the middle. Rookie Jacquian Williams has great speed and shows promise. Sprained ankle hurt rookie Mark Herzlich’s progress. Grade: B.
SECONDARY: Tale of two seasons. Unit looked lost in space far too often in first 10 games, then clamped down to greatly aid late-season surge. Antrel Rolle played his natural position of safety only twice, as injuries forced him into a nickel-back role that made it difficult for him to showcase his talent. Corey Webster led the team with six INTs and often was able to contain opponents’ top receiver. Best thing Aaron Ross did was stay on the field for all 20 games and tackle effectively. Kenny Phillips (four INTs) was solid, but still hasn’t regained his pre-knee injury form. Veteran Deon Grant makes up for diminished running with a keen eye and strong leadership qualities. A learning rookie year for Prince Amukamara. Grade: B-minus.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Sooner or later this team is going to find a return man who can make something happen. Aaron Ross and later Will Blackmon caught the ball and not much else on punts and rookies Jerrel Jernigan and Da’Rel Scott showed speed but not many yards on kickoffs. The best of the bunch was Devin Thomas, who also provided huge plays vs. the 49ers. Coverage units vastly improved, with Jacquian Williams, Tyler Sash, Greg Jones and Derrick Martin solid in coverage. Grade: B.
KICKERS: Superb first year for Steve Weatherford ensures he’ll be back with a multi-year contract. Steady, reliable punting (and holding) and finished with a flourish, putting three punts down inside the 10-yard line in the Super Bowl. Lawrence Tynes had a good, not great year, only attempting 24 field goals in the regular season and hit 8 of 10 in the post-season. He nails the big ones, though, none bigger than the game-winner in overtime in San Francisco in the NFC title game. Grade: B-plus.
COACHING: Have to hand it to Tom Coughlin for turning “Finish’’ into a mindset his players took to heart. Always respected, the guy has come a long way and now there’s genuine affection for him in the locker room. You won’t out-work him, thank you very much. Perry Fewell withstood the temptation to rip everything up when defense was sagging. You can dispose of the criticism of Kevin Gilbride. He knows how to run an offense and Eli Manning is in his corner. Grade: A.
paul.schwartz@nypost.com