FOR USE AS DESIRED
NFC-PM-4           1/3/03

GIANTS QB KERRY COLLINS, PACKERS LB NA’IL DIGGS

 & BUCCANEERS K MARTIN GRAMATICA

NAMED NFC PLAYERS OF MONTH FOR DECEMBER 

Quarterback KERRY COLLINS of the New York Giants, linebacker NA’IL DIGGS of the Green Bay Packers and kicker MARTIN GRAMATICA of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Month for December, the NFL announced today.

Collins helped the Giants to a 4-1 record in the month, including four consecutive wins to qualify for the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.  He completed 63.3 percent of his attempts (100 of 158) for 1,307 yards, nine touchdowns and one interception for a 105.6 passer rating in December.

With the Giants needing a win in the final weekend against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles, Collins responded, leading the team to 461 yards of total offense.  He completed 71.4 percent of his attempts (25 of 35) for 256 yards and one touchdown, helping New York to a 10-7 overtime win.

On December 22 against Indianapolis, with the team in a similar must-win situation, Collins turned in one of the best quarterback performances of the season.  Collins passed for a “perfect game” in the Giants’ 44-27 road win, completing 23 of 29 attempts for 366 yards, a career-high four touchdowns and no interceptions for a 158.3 passer rating, the highest possible rating a passer can achieve.

“One goal as a quarterback is that you would like to be consistent,” Collins said.  “To go to the playoffs one year and then not go for four or five would be inconsistent.  Now, we’re back in the playoffs and I think our offense has had a great second half.  The guys around me have been terrific, and now we have to keep it going.”

In his eighth season from Penn State, this is Collins’ first Player of the Month Award.

Diggs was honored for his role in the Packers’ 4-1 December, making several key plays that helped Green Bay to four consecutive wins in the month before dropping the December 28 finale to the New York Jets.

Diggs finished December with 37 tackles, including 30 solo, one interception, a forced fumble, fumble recovery and two passes defensed.  In a 10-0 shutout of the Buffalo Bills on December 22, Diggs intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble, helping Green Bay hold Bills running back TRAVIS HENRY to 46 yards rushing on 20 carries.  In an important 20-14 victory over San Francisco on December 15, Diggs took a lateral off an interception 33 yards to set up BRETT FAVRE’s five-yard touchdown pass to DONALD DRIVER six plays later for a 17-6 Packers’ lead.

On December 8 against Minnesota, Diggs was again a major contributor in the club’s 26-22 win.  With the Packers trailing 22-18 late in the fourth quarter, Diggs stopped running back MICHAEL BENNETT on a third-down screen pass, enabling Green Bay to gain possession and setting up the game-winning touchdown drive.  The victory helped keep the Packers undefeated at Lambeau Field in 2002.

In his third season from Ohio State, this is Diggs’ first Player of the Month Award.

Gramatica earned honors for connecting on 11 of 12 field-goal attempts in the month, including a franchise-record and career-high five field goals in last week’s 15-0 win over Chicago that clinched the No. 2 playoff seed and a first-round bye for the Buccaneers.

Gramatica, who totaled 41 points in December, posted career-highs with 32 field goals made and 128 points scored this season, winning him the admiration of head coach JON GRUDEN.

“I continue to believe that Martin is the best kicker in the game,” Gruden said.  “He has been a clutch performer for us throughout the season.”

In his fourth season from Kansas State, this is Gramatica’s third Player of the Month Award.

2002 NFC PLAYERS OF THE MONTH