Mario Manningham returns to the scene of his greatest glory this weekend, but please do not try to get him to reminisce or get all nostalgic.
It’s not happening.
“I’m trying to get some more plays,’’ Manningham said Wednesday at Giants training camp. “I’m not really thinking about that anymore, man. I’m just trying to make more memories.’’
It will be difficult to top the memory he created during Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis — where the Giants play Saturday night. Manningham’s 38-yard catch in the fourth quarter, a difficult, over-the-shoulder reception while tiptoeing the left sideline, got the Giants out of a hole and provided the impetus for their game-winning touchdown drive. It is a play that will live forever in Giants’ annals, but it’s not front-and-center in thehis mind of the player who actually made it.
“I remember it, but I don’t think about it,’’ Manningham said. “I’m just trying to make some more plays.’’
At the moment, trying to make some more plays has been difficult for Manningham. He spent the past two seasons with the 49ers and often battled a knee issue that required two surgeries and robbed him of the quickness that highlighted his first stay with the Giants. He was re-signed on a one-year deal and is thrilled to be back with his former team, but understands nothing is promised, despite his past history with the Giants.
Manningham, 28, has received no real work with Eli Manning and the starting offense, and in two preseason games has one catch for 17 yards. Earlier in the summer, he admitted he was thinking about his knee and wondering if it would hold up. He has passed those doubts, he says, but realizes he’s in for a battle.
Younger receivers Marcus Harris and Corey Washington have looked more impressive than Manningham. Preston Parker is a former Buccaneers receiver and plays special teams, which Manningham does not.
The Giants know what Manningham once could do. They do not know what he can do now.
“That is not an easy one,’’ coach Tom Coughlin said. “Some days it is better than others. I think he is growing in some confidence, but we have been at this for a while and would certainly like to see him at his very best over a period of time so we can assess what we could expect. He is working at it, he’s working hard, but certainly I think there can be more.’’
On Saturday, Manningham and the Giants will face the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium, site of their most recent Super Bowl triumph. If Manningham won’t reflect back in time, that’s his prerogative, but pardon a teammate for taking a trip down memory lane.
“I’ll talk about it,’’ safety Antrel Rolle said, smiling. “I think that catch is the reason why we have the ring, hands down. With the exceptional throw from Eli and him just making that catch, playing the safety position, the safety couldn’t have been in a better situation. I still don’t know how he caught that ball with [Patrick] Chung flying down the way he did and even taking the hit and keeping his feet in bounds. I think it’s a play of a lifetime.’’