Eli: Giants should get focused early

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – When Eli Manning talks, the New York Giants listen.

Making a rare mid-week address, the Super Bowl MVP told his teammates Tuesday to take care of personal business early so they can focus on preparing to play the New England Patriots in the super sequel Feb. 5 in Indianapolis.

In other words, use the next 48 hours to buy tickets for family and friends, book air fares and hotel rooms and show up Thursday ready to start practicing for the title game.

Manning seemed ready to go Tuesday. He had little to say about the 20 or so times the 49ers hit him or knocked him down during the 20-17 overtime win in the NFC title game Sunday in San Francisco.

The 30-year-old said he had a workout and was fine when asked about his health. He was more concerned about the Giants being ready for the rematch with Tom Brady and company.

“I just told them a little bit how to prepare for this,” said Manning, one of 15 Giants who played in the Super Bowl XLII win against New England. “Just handle your business with tickets and get that stuff done, and just a few things on the mindset of this week. We have to have great preparation.”

Manning said the week leading up to the Super Bowl tends to throw teams off because they have to take bus rides to practice and their routine is thrown off. He believes the Giants will have 95 percent of their game plan practiced by Saturday, and they will be reviewing things in their week in Indianapolis.

Safety Antrel Rolle, who went to the Super Bowl with Arizona and lost in 2009, said Manning’s message was excellent.

“He doesn’t say much and when he says something, he means it,” Rolle said. “It’s about business, and that’s basically what the message was about. We’ve got to go out there and take care of business.”