NEW YORK — Mario Manningham had already gotten a sneak peek at the Super Bowl XLVI Champions DVD he and four of his teammates helped premiere this evening.

In particular, the Giants' wide receiver noted the part where Patriots coach Bill Belichick tells his defense to continue focusing on Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks and force Eli Manning to go elsewhere during the late stages of the Super Bowl.

Right before Manningham's 38-yard catch up the sideline to spark the game-winning drive, in fact.

“Um, thank you. That’s all,” Manningham said when asked his reaction before heading into a theater at Regal Cinemas in Times Square to view the film again. “Thank you. I appreciate it. I was just trying to go out there and make a play. I don’t really have too much to say.”

He added, “I know what I can do, I know what I’m capable of doing. I’m glad he did that. Thank you. But I know what type of player I am."

Manningham surely saw it as a sign of disrespect Belichick would rather see the ball go his way. But frankly, it was a matter of picking one’s poison when defending the Giants’ trio of receivers this past season. Even Manningham realizes that.

“This year it seemed like everybody needed three or four good wide receivers on their team,” he said. “I feel like any of us can make a play at any time. You need a lot of good receivers these days.”

Which leads us right back to where we’ve been for a few weeks now in discussing all things Manningham: If it’s so great to have all three on the field at once, why would he head elsewhere?

Well, because the Giants probably won’t be able to match the kind of offer Manningham will get from another team. Not with their being over the salary cap right now and needing to worry about paying Nicks and Cruz in the near future. So these things tend to be great while they last but don’t last very long.

Manningham said there’s been no progress in talks between his agent Drew Rosenhaus and the Giants, and he still expects to hit the free-agent market. Once he does, odds are he won’t be coming back.

Even if he wants to.

“I don’t wanna go nowhere but if it’s somewhere else, that’s’ where my path continues,” he said, adding this when asked why he wants to stay: “Because I feel like we can do a lot of damage in these next four to five years, that’s just how I feel. We’re all young, so … I don’t know. It’s not up to me. I want to stay.”

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When asked how he balances his wanting to stay and wanting to get paid at the same time, Manningham replied, “It’s a business, too. You’ve got to look at it like that. That’s just how it is. It’s a business. Their decision might come down to you. You have to look out for you and your family. That’s how it is.”

Manning is hoping Manningham is going to be back, though he’s not spending too much time worrying.

“You never know what’s going to happen and with free agency over the years,” the Giants’ quarterback said. “I’ve kind of learned if you get caught up in it wondering, debating and asking about it, it’s not going to solve anything. You just kind of gotta sit, ride it out and see what happens.

“Hopefully, we have Mario back. He’s had a tremendous playoff run, he’s stepped in when Hakeem was hurt or Victor was down. He started for us, he made big plays and he’s been in this offense a long time, knows it and obviously has big-play potential. Hopefully he’s back. If not, we’ll deal with that.”

* * * *

The interview process continues for the Giants in their search for a new assistant offensive line coach. This thing is taking a while and there have been plenty of candidates in for interviews. I know I mentioned Temple's Matt Rhule was the "lead dog," per a source, but it's unclear exactly where things stand now.

What I can tell you is three more names have surfaced in a stack of guys that’s at least over five. They are: former Columbia head coach Norries Wilson, Penn State assistant offensive line coach Bill Kenney and a name that should be familiar to Giants fans – Grey Ruegamer.

After spending his final three NFL seasons with the Giants from 2006-09, Ruegamer began his coaching career. He’s worked with the University of Washington’s tight ends the past few seasons.

It’s unclear whether all three of these guys have interviewed but it sounds like the process isn’t done yet, so it could be a few days before a replacement for Jack Bicknell Jr., who left for the Chiefs, is named.

* * * *

Back to this evening’s event for a quote from Manning on this Super Bowl victory vs. the last one.

“It’s a little different,” he said. “Last time, it’s the first time and everything’s new, you’re (in a parade) in New York City for the first time and there’s a lot of excitement. You want to take it all in and soak it up and didn’t want to ever leave town. This one was a little different.

“I went out with my teammates and celebrated with them for a few days and then it was like, ‘All right, I need some rest. I’m tired and it’s been a long season so I just want to get away for a little bit, soak it all in, get regrouped.’ This is kind of the first time back in action in about a month. I’m excited about being here and seeing all the great plays throughout the whole season.”

Manning said he just started workout out heavily again last week after resting his body for a while.

* * * *

I had a few people on Twitter ask me where and when the DVD the Giants’ players premiered tonight will be available. It goes on sale tomorrow. You should be able to find it pretty much anywhere but I can guarantee from what Vivendi Entertainment has told us it’ll be available at FYE, Best Buy, Walmart and Modell’s.

* * * *

Nicks said his shoulder, which bothered him in the postseason, is improving and didn’t require surgery. He doesn’t believe there will be any setbacks.

Mike Garafolo: mgarafolo@starledger.com; twitter.com/MikeGarafolo