The New York Times-20080126-Webster Rebounds As Giants Roll On

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Webster Rebounds As Giants Roll On

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Corey Webster of the Giants has an appropriate locker at Giants Stadium -- in the corner of the room, on the edge, a logical place for a cornerback.

It is one of the few dressing stations in the sprawling room with a full-length mirror next to it, in case Webster becomes reflective about playing one of football's most exposed positions.

His cubicle also is the closest to the door, and that could have been symbolic during the regular season when Webster fell on the depth chart from starting cornerback to nickel back to dressed but idle to healthy scratch.

But Webster has made a comeback in the playoffs, the sort of surge that mirrors that of his team. The Giants will play the undefeated New England Patriots a week from Sunday in Super Bowl XLII in Glendale, Ariz.

In last Sunday's 23-20 victory over the Green Bay Packers in the National Football Conference championship game at frigid Lambeau Field, Webster intercepted a pass by Brett Favre in overtime to set up the game-winning 47-yard field goal by Lawrence Tynes.

And if Favre should retire after 17 seasons, Webster could become the answer to a tricky trivia question: Who caught the last N.F.L. pass of Favre's Hall of Fame career?

Hmmm, ha! Webster said, when asked about that possibility. You always dream about going out there and playing in games like that but I never dreamed about that.

His interception was probably the most important play of his three-year career, but did Webster save the ball? No, actually, I gave the ball to Lt. Greg, Webster said.

He was referring to Lt. Col. Greg Gadson of the United States Army, who lost his legs in an explosion in the Iraq war. Gadson has inspired the Giants in several games this season with his speeches and his presence.

Gadson watched Sunday's game from a wheelchair near the bench. Him and his son were on the sideline and I gave him a hug and he took the ball, Webster said.

Now, Webster is preparing to try for more souvenirs when he faces Tom Brady, who will attempt to beat Webster by connecting with receivers like Randy Moss, Donte' Stallworth and Wes Welker.

To help him pick off passes, Webster is picking other people's brains. He says he gets advice from the veterans Sam Madison and R. W. McQuarters.

They treat me just like a little brother and try to help me any way they can, Webster, 25, said. I'm like a sponge around them. I try to soak up as much information as I can get.

They were particularly helpful, Webster said, when he did not play in two games in November. They were always encouraging, always saying, 'Hey, we're going to need you one of these days, just keep working at your craft and don't put your head down,' Webster said. That's what I did.

As is often the case for cornerbacks, successful moments are blended with less successful ones. Early in the Green Bay game, Webster stumbled when covering Donald Driver, who caught a pass for a 90-yard touchdown play.

In the previous game at Dallas, Terrell Owens caught a touchdown pass against Webster on a 5-yard play. Obviously, you have to have a short memory and not let that bad play affect any other plays in the game, Webster said.

In the game before that, a victory at Tampa Bay, Webster recovered a Buccaneers' fumble on a kickoff and intercepted a pass on defense when Jeff Garcia tried to throw to Joey Galloway. In the playoff-clinching victory at Buffalo on Dec. 23, Webster scored on a 34-yard interception return, his first N.F.L. touchdown.

Part of the reason for Webster's improvement this season has been a change in defensive coordinators, with Steve Spagnuolo replacing Tim Lewis. The change allowed Webster to play more press coverage instead of zone schemes.

It is the sort of style he played at Louisiana State. The Giants made him their first draft choice in the second round in 2005.

It worked out for me, Webster said of his season. I never let up. Never got depressed or angry. I just took everything for a positive and tried to capitalize on all the opportunities the coaches gave me.

[Illustration]PHOTO: Corey Webster, left, intercepted a pass by the Packers' Brett Favre in overtime, setting up the Giants' winning field goal.(PHOTOGRAPH BY DOUG MILLS/THE NEW YORK TIMES)