From Tiger Stadium to NFL glory

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Corey Webster keyed Giants’ Super Bowl run and hasn’t looked back

By RICHARD FISCHER
Tiger Rag Assistant Editor

In today’s feature on a former Tiger in the pros, we’ll take a look at 2003 BCS Champion and Super Bowl XLII Champion, Corey Webster.

After being moved from wide receiver following his freshman season, the Vacherie native started two and a half seasons at cornerback for the Tigers.

In his sophomore season, Webster only started the second half of the season, but he managed to lead the SEC with seven interceptions.

Webster would go on to intercept 16 passes in purple and gold en route to becoming a three-time first-team All-SEC selection and a two-time first-team All-American.

The New York Giants selected Webster in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft with the 43rd overall pick.

He started only two games in his rookie campaign and failed to make an interception, but he forced two fumbles and made 37 tackles.

The following season, Webster made his first career pick and recorded 41 tackles and two forced fumbles in 10 starts.

But it was the back end of his third season that it all started to come together for both Webster and the Giants.

Webster made his first interception in Week 16 against the Buffalo Bills and returned it for a touchdown in a game key to the Giants even making the playoffs.

Then in the first round against Tampa Bay, Webster intercepted a Jeff Garcia pass and recovered a Micheal Spurlock fumble.

The Giants then shut down the potent offense of top-seeded Dallas in the Divisional Round and earned a trip to the NFC Championship against the Green Bay Packers, where Webster made an overtime interception that set up a game-winning field goal to send the Giants to the Super Bowl. That also turned out to be Brett Favre’s last pass in a Packer uniform.

And then, as we all know, the Giants ruined the Patriots’ bid for a perfect season in Super Bowl XLII with a 17-14 victory.

Since winning the Super Bowl, Webster has started in every game he’s been healthy for the Giants and has made seven interceptions in that span.

The former LSU standout has three interceptions so far this season and continues to be one of the most consistent corners in the NFL.

CLICK HERE for my previous installment highlighting WR Dwayne Bowe’s rise to NFL stardom.

CLICK HERE for my previous installment highlighting LB Bradie James’ continued stellar play for the Cowboys.

*Check back to Tigerrag.com throughout the month of December for more updates on former Tigers in the pros.