Super Bowl XLVI: The 46 Faces of Patriots vs Giants (Part 2 of 3)

It’s the television event of the year, so big that even the commercials are ranked by importance and influence. It’s Super Bowl XLVI, and media members and celebrities will flock from all across the country to celebrate the event and root on the two teams participating.

With the spotlight set on the Super Bowl, who should be considered to be the faces of this year’s big game? The Wife Hates Sports has the answer – ranking this year’s most influential faces of the Super Bowl – in a three-part series. Chime in on your own personal rankings, and let’s celebrate the New England Patriots, New York Giants and Super Bowl XLVI.

The 46 Faces of Super Bowl XLVI (Part 2 of 3)

30. Tiquan Underwood

Tiquan Underwood’s haircut has made Super Bowl headlines

Underwood (3 catches for 30 yards during the regular season) didn’t gain any attention with his offensive numbers, but he did during Super Bowl week with his fancy Patriots themed haircut (see right), which he posted to his Twitter account. But the biggest attention getter? The Patriots cut him, just 24 hours before the big game. Brutal!

29. Archie Manning

With one son playing in the Super Bowl and another son being a main reason for the existence of the game’s location, it’s clear that Archie Manning will be heavily entrenched in the spotlight during the big game. Expect a lot of camera shots on the Manning family throughout.

28. Kyle Arrington

Arrington had a great year with the Patriots, accumulating 88 tackles (second most on the team) and seven interceptions during the regular season (tied for most in the NFL).

27. Rodney Harrison

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Whether Rodney Harrison wants to talk about it or not, “The Catch” will be mentioned ad nauseum during Super Bowl XLVI

Harrison retired from the NFL more than two years ago, and currently serves as an analyst on NBC Sports’ Football Night in America. But during this Super Bowl, Harrison will be frequently mentioned and highlighted as the player that defended David Tyree during “the catch” play in the Super Bowl matchup between the Patriots and Giants four years ago.

26. Julian Edelman

Edelman is a multi-dimensional player who has great value for the Patriots, not just serving as a wide receiver on offense, but more so recently on special teams and on defense as a member of the secondary.

25. Dan Patrick

Formerly as an anchor on SportsCenter, Dan Patrick left ESPN years ago, and now has arguably the best sports radio show in the country. He also serves as a co-host for NBC Sports’ Football Night in America, and will be handing out the Vince Lombardi Trophy to the winner of Super Bowl XLVI.

24. Osi Umenyiora

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Former Miss Hooters Anna Burns is clearly playing with a full deck.

Another of New York’s talented defensive linemen, Umenyiora was fined $20K for bailing on the media during Super Bowl week. He later apologized. With 5 ½ sacks in four January games, don’t expect any more absences from Osi.

23. Anna Burns

Hitting headlines in recent weeks, Burns is now engaged to New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker. If the former Miss Hooters (see right) is going to be present at this year’s Super Bowl, then it’s a liklihood that we’ll be seeing a lot of her on camera. At least, we hope so.

22. Hakeem Nicks

At times, Nicks (76 receptions, 1,192 yards and 7 TD’s during regular season) was second fiddle to Victor Cruz in the pass game, but he remains the deep threat in the Giants’ offense and the clear number one receiver on the team.

21. Deion Branch

Branch was targeted 90 times by Tom Brady during the regular season, which was fourth most on the team. While he hasn’t been the clear target in the pass game, Branch brings with him plenty of Super Bowl success, most notably in Super Bowl XXXIX, when he was named MVP of the game after tying a record with 11 receptions.

As MVP of Super Bowl XXXIX, Deion Branch proved that he can make a super impact

20. Mark Herzlich

Herzlich’s story is one of the most inspirational stories of the NFL season. After tons of success at Boston College, Herzlich was diagnosed with bone cancer in 2009, at the age of 21. Signed by the Giants as an undrafted free agent, Herzlich made the team and saw some playing time during the regular season.

19. Bill O’Brien

In a few days, Bill O’Brien will be hanging out with the Nittany Lion

O’Brien is serving as the offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots. Weeks back, he agreed to become Penn State’s next head football coach, replacing the late Joe Paterno. Juggling two jobs and facing an uphill climb with the Nittany Lions, O’Brien now finds himself with a chance to leave the NFL on top.

18. Antrel Rolle

Statistically, Antrel Rolle gains plenty of attention, accumulating 96 total tackles during the regular season, the most for the Giants. But he gains even more attention with his mouth, openly telling the media that “we are expecting to win” the Super Bowl. You have to love his confidence, but only as long as his teammates continue to back up his words.

17. Robert Kraft

Bob Kraft could easily be higher up this list. By now, many are familiar with the statement made by Colts center Jeff Saturday. Saturday credited Kraft for having a key role in getting the NFL’s CBA issues resolved. In addition, the Patriots as a franchise have clearly flourished with him as owner, winning 12 AFC East division titles, countless playoff games and three Super Bowls. As a family, the Krafts have also donated millions to numerous good causes.

16. Madonna

The Super Bowl halftime show will be performed by Madonna this year. Therefore, expect plenty of wardrobe, but likely no wardrobe malfunctions. Right, Janet? Clearly, the superstar pop legend is already getting heavily involved in the game itself, most notably during a recent press conference, when she broke out some salsa dance moves, as inspired by New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz.