The Lions know all too well how difficult it can be to find a reliable third receiver.It wasn't until they drafted
Wide receiver Mario Manningham has filled that role for the Giants all season. It's not the role Manningham envisioned for himself after catching 60 passes for 944 yards and nine touchdowns last year, but one he's accepted because of the emergence of Victor Cruz.
"I'm comfortable in my role. I can't complain," Manningham said this week while preparing for his first Super Bowl appearance.
"I like going out there and going under the radar. It's kind of like I can go out there and a make a play at any time because they're paying attention to Hakeem (Nicks) and Victor (Cruz). I like being under the radar."
With the majority of defensive -- and media – attention centered on the franchises all-time single-season receiving yards leader, Cruz, and former first-round pick Nicks; Manningham has had opportunities to make plays.
The former University of Michigan star is the first player in franchise history to have a touchdown reception in each of the team's three playoff games leading up to the Super Bowl.
"I'm just trying to make plays," he said. "I've got a hunger for making plays, I thrive on going and making plays -- not doing too much, not doing too less. I'm just doing what I got to do."
Manningham had 39 catches for 523 yards and four touchdowns during the regular season.
