Mario Manningham was finishing up an interview when a booming voice interrupted asking, “Who’s your best friend on the team?’’
The question came from Damontre Moore, a second-year defensive end who likes to have fun in the locker room. Manningham didn’t answer and didn’t really look all that amused.
A moment earlier, Manningham was talking about the difference he sensed rejoining the Giants, now as a veteran entering his seventh NFL season as opposed to the rookie he was when he first arrived in 2008. As a young player, Manningham observed a whole lot more than he spoke, which is not the way Moore and some other youthful Giants go about their business.
Manningham said he and Victor Cruz recently discussed this change in the locker-room culture when it was mentioned he had evolved into someone who now polices the room as opposed to someone who was a delinquent in the room.
“I like being the delinquent,’’ Manningham said, laughing.
That is not the role the Giants envision for Manningham, who is forever a part of franchise lore for his dramatic over-the-shoulder catch that helped set up the winning touchdown in Super Bowl XLVI. That stirring 38-yard reception tip-toeing the left sideline was followed by two more catches for Manningham, who terrorized Bill Belichick and the New England defense as the perfect companion to Cruz and Hakeem Nicks.
It appeared those would be the last highlights for Manningham with the Giants, as he hit free agency and went to the 49ers, the team the Giants beat that year for the NFC Championship. The Niners didn’t get much for their two-year investment, however. Manningham caught 42 passes for 449 yards and one touchdown in 2012 before going down late in the season with a serious left knee injury. Manningham made it back for six games in 2013, but admittedly wasn’t ready and didn’t last long before ending the year on injured reserve.
“Yeah, I came back fast,’’ Manningham said Wednesday after a mini-camp practice he watched. “What player doesn’t want to go out there and test his leg or whatever he got going on? There was no pressure, I just wanted to go play. The decision was made for me to come back so I came back.’’
Still in need of repair, Manningham had an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee in January and he has been rehabbing ever since. He signed a one-year deal in March to return to the Giants and says he expects to be cleared to practice in time for training camp.
“There was a serious procedure, so he’s still coming back,’’ coach Tom Coughlin said. “He played a little bit [last season] and didn’t help himself. I hope he can make a play like the last time he was here.’’
Eli Manning, of course, has fond memories of one of the greatest throws of his career, a toss that landed in Manningham’s hands. At present, Cruz and third-year receiver Rueben Randle are the starters and Jerrel Jernigan is No. 3, with rookie first-round pick Odell Beckham Jr. slowly getting into the swing of things after tweaking his hamstring. At best, Manningham could slide in as the No. 4 receiver, but he needs to get healthy and show he is what he once was.
“Obviously we know his skill set and what he’s going to do for us,’’ Manning said. “He played well for us in the past.’’
Manningham’s game was all about quickness, agility and cutting and he needs two fully functioning knees to regain those physical attributes. The key, he says, is “just confidence, putting my foot in the dirt and leaving somebody.’’
With the 49ers, Manningham learned the West Coast offense that has been installed for the first time this offseason with the Giants and first-year offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo. That’s helpful. So is his familiarity with his surroundings.
“When I came back I just fit in like I never left,’’ Manningham said. “When I make a play in camp it’s going to be like ‘Yeah, that’s what he does.’ It’s different coming back, it’s my seventh year versus me being a rookie or a couple of years in. They know I can play, they just want to see if it’s still there, which I know it is once I get 100 percent.’’