INDIANAPOLIS — Unless your name is Osi Umenyiora, every Giants player was made available to the media Wednesday morning. Of course, that doesn’t mean every Giants player actually spoke with the media.

The well-known players and coaches were in steady conversation throughout the session, but other players were ignored like the acne-ridden boy at a high school homecoming dance. The players passed the time by talking amongst themselves, texting on their cell phones or just staring off into the abyss.

That was Chase Blackburn four years ago in the week leading up to Super Bowl XLII. Things have changed the second time around, thanks to the now-well-worn story about Blackburn nearly taking a teaching job in Ohio before the Giants came calling in November.

It’s perfect Super Bowl week fodder, and Giants coach Tom Coughlin playfully bristled when asked about it during his time at the podium Wednesday. When I sat down with Blackburn, I asked what it was like to be put through the Super news cycle.

“It’s kind of been crazy,” he said. “Last Super Bowl, I was just hanging out playing cards because nobody wanted to report on any of us. It’s definitely been interesting this year to play half a season and have there be more interest in me.”

Blackburn surely can’t wait to play Sunday. He might be even more excited to be done talking about the alternate reality where zone blitzes were replaced by isosceles triangles.

– Dan Hanzus

Posted in: Super Bowl  |