INDIANAPOLIS — The New England Patriots and New York Giants have taken different approaches to their Super Bowl rematch.
Giants coach Tom Coughlin said he’s following the same schedule he did when New York beat New England in Super Bowl XLII four years ago. The Giants flew to Indianapolis on Monday, spent the day getting acquainted with their surroundings and will practice for the first time Wednesday.
“I thought it was very good for us the last time we did it,” Coughlin said. “We tinkered with it a little bit here and there, with the circumstances that we have been dealt with meeting rooms and that type of thing. But for the most part, the schedule remains the same.”
The Patriots, meanwhile, traveled to town Sunday and practiced in full pads Monday.
Coach Bill Belichick said he thought a padded practice “would be the best way to prepare us for the game.”
Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, the NFL leader with 17 touchdown catches this year, sat out practice with a high ankle sprain.
Mum’s the word on Peyton
Anyone clamoring for Peyton Manning to talk this week might be a little disappointed.
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said he discussed things with the quarterback and both decided the best way to tackle Super Bowl Week was to keep the spotlight squarely on the matchup between the Giants and Patriots.
Manning’s future remains uncertain because he hasn’t completely recovered from neck surgery and is due a $28 million roster bonus in March.
Meanwhile, former Colts coach Jim Caldwell joined the Ravens as their quarterbacks coach.
