NFL Notebook

Associated Press

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NEW YORK — The Patriots got exactly what they wanted when the Giants threw to Mario Manningham on New York’s last Super Bowl drive.

Then the receiver New England deemed less dangerous than Victor Cruz or Hakeem Nicks made a catch that will be replayed over and over for years to come.

“This is still a Cruz and Nicks game,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick tells his defenders in audio captured for “Sound FX,” which first aired Wednesday night on NFL Network. “I know we’re right on them; it’s tight. But those are still the guys. Make them go to Manningham; make them go to (tight end Bear) Pascoe. Let’s make sure we get Cruz and Nicks.”

Manningham’s 38-yard reception — over-the-shoulder, between two defenders and along the sideline — was the key play on the Giants’ winning drive. New England challenged the catch, but as the video review is going on, a dejected Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is heard muttering, “He caught it.”

LICENSE PLATES

ALBANY, N.Y. — A commemorative license plate for the New York Giants was unveiled hours after their Super Bowl victory.

Now, two New York lawmakers say a similar but delayed tribute to the real heroes of the 9/11 attacks is long overdue. They said first responders and victims shouldn't take a back seat to millionaire athletes who are honored after championships with license tags. Those are exempt from the state's moratorium on new commemorative plates.

"I'm happy that the Giants won the Super Bowl as much as the next New Yorker, but who are the real heroes our state should first be celebrating with distinctive plates, the athletes on the gridiron or the first responders and the people who lost their lives on Sept. 11?" Republican Assemblyman James Tedisco, a former college athlete and high school coach, said Thursday.

GRONK SURGERY

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski had arthroscopic surgery Friday on the left ankle that hampered him in the Super Bowl.

Gronkowski, who set an NFL single-season record for tight ends with 17 touchdown receptions, had just two catches for 26 yards in the 21-17 loss to the New York Giants in the Super Bowl in Indianapolis last Sunday. His recovery is expected to last 10-12 weeks.