"The Patriots do have a pass-rusher or two who can affect a quarterback like Giants menaces Jason Pierre-Paul and Justin Tuck.

Mark Anderson, for example, had 10 regular-season sacks. Before his injury, Andre Carter was similarly effective.

But their best and most disruptive players are busy preparing for the Giants offensive line, not toiling on the scout team to imitate their defensive counterparts. That's why, as the Pats geared up for Super Bowl XLVI, they took a creative approach to readying Pro Bowl guards Logan Mankins and Brian Waters, tackle Matt Light and the rest of the offensive line.

Instead of using defensive linemen as rushers in practice, coach Bill Belichick had much lighter players — mostly linebackers — attack the unit from all angles.

They won't replicate the size of the Giants players, such as the 6-foot-3, 255-pound Osi Umenyiora. So they focused on the speed."