The New York Giants' win over New England last week in Super Bowl XLVI means the reigning Super Bowl champion will play the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium for the second consecutive year.
The Panthers don't have as many of their own free agents to sign as they did last year. And this year's group might not have the big names who will be eligible for free agency in 2013.
Scott Fowler: Jerry Richardson has long been known to pick up the phone and call a random fan or three.
The player whose Hail Mary touchdown catch helped keep the New York Giants rolling in the postseason, had to watch from the sideline Sunday as New England tried its own Hail Mary - this one with the Super Bowl on the line.
Leading the Super Bowl with a minute remaining, New England let Ahmad Bradshaw score a touchdown to make sure Patriots quarterback Tom Brady would get the ball again. But the New York Giants' defense wouldn't let Brady add to his legacy or his ring collection.
On a night that featured a variety of surprising moments - including a safety, several critical dropped passes and Tom Coughlin, the 65-year-old New York Giants coach, embracing rapper Flavor Flav in celebration - the most bizarre moment Sunday surely was Super Bowl XLVI's final touchdown.
Giants defensive tackle Chris Canty, the former Charlotte Latin star, gave the New York tabloids plenty of headline fodder last week.
I didn't really care who won this Super Bowl. I had picked the New York Giants to win in the newspaper, so I kind of wanted that to turn out correctly, but mostly I just wanted to see a great game.
Charlotte-area student James Gale delivers the Super Bowl game ball.
The Observer's Joseph Person will be providing updates through the night via Twitter. Live tweets
Video: Singer Katy Perry presented Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton with his rookie award during Saturday night's "NFL Honors" on NBC.
Carolina's Cam Newton among players honored.
