Manningham Speaks

Jerry Reese emphasized that third-round pick Mario Manningham has football intelligence. That's a good thing because his press conference with the New York media was, well... let's just say, interesting. Read on.

What was your feeling when you were drafted?

I was just happy knowing that it is the New York Giants, the Super Bowl champs. You can’t ask for anything better than that.

Did you have hopes of going much earlier than you did?

I mean the draft is crazy every year. You just have to relax and when your name gets called you just have to be ready.

Can you talk about your off-field situation and how it may have affected your draft stock?

The past is the past. It happened. Hey, I am just excited to play. The off the field issues that is really nothing or whatever everyone is talking about or whatever. I am just ready to play. I am not really thinking about the past. The past is the past. I am ready to just come in and make my team better.

Were you aware of how many rookies contributed for the Giants last season?

No, I am not.

All eight picks played; do you think you can make that kind of impact?

I think I can come in and make my team better and help my team win.

What do you remember about your visit with the Giants at Giants Stadium?

Like I was telling Coach Sullivan, I love it. When I came up there he was just explaining to us how the system was. He showed us around real nice. I like the facility and the players seem to be nice.

Which players did you talk to?

I don’t remember the players’ names, we just went down to the locker room and everyone was just talking, everyone was just cool in the weight room. It was like a different bond from other teams that I went to. New York is all about business.

Did you welcome the chance to tell your side of the story to the Giants about your off the field issues?

I talked to the Giants when I was at the combine and I talked to them when I went to visit them. I let them know what was going on and stuff. Evidently they believed in me just like I believe in me and they went and picked me.

How much do you think your past problems hurt your draft status as the draft went on?

Like I told you, you never know what can happen because some players that they had going early, they didn’t go early, and some players they had going late didn’t go late. I am just thankful to get drafted. I am just thankful to be in the position that I am in, playing for the Super Bowl champions and trying to make a return there next year.

Did you have any regrets about how you handled the whole thing?

No, I don’t have any regrets. The past is the past. The past is the past. It happened and you can’t take back what happened. Like I told you, I am just going to come in here with a clean head and meet my team’s coaches and do what I have to do to just come in there and play and make my team better.

Do you think you are a risky pick?

I don’t think I am a risky pick. I don’t think that is the issue. Everyone’s picks are the same; I mean everyone’s picks are different. If different coaches believe in different players, they are going to pick those players, but some players go to other places. I don’t think I am a risky pick.

How much do you know about the Giants wide receivers?

I know Plaxico (Burress) and Amani (Toomer). They all are talented. I don’t really know too much about them. I watch them, they ball, they play hard, and I am looking forward to going up under one of their wings and buying into what their coaches have to tell me and buying into what they have to coach me.

Do you feel like you had to sell yourself more than other players when you came in here and other places for an interview?

When I came to the interviews they got to know me and got to know how I learn and got to know about my past and everything, so I really don’t think that I had to sell myself. I just feel like I had to just be myself.