Ryan Mundy is used to filling in for star safeties

So, who is Ryan Mundy?

Well, he played for three seasons at Michigan and one year at West Virginia after he graduated. He was drafted by the Steelers in the sixth round in 2008 and played on their practice squad team that year. In four seasons on the Steelers’ active roster he played in 64 regular-season games and started five. He has one career interception. And, if Antrel Rolle is still sidelined by his sprained ankle in 25 days, he’ll be the starting safety for the Giants on opening day against the Cowboys.

“I’m not sure of the timetable of Antrel’s return, but this is a road that I’m very familiar with from my time at Pittsburgh,” Mundy said yesterday. “I was a primary backup to Troy (Polamalu) and Ryan (Clark), so this is a role that I know how to function in and I know how to prepare for.”

Mundy has been preparing for it since he signed with the Giants.

“From day one, coach (David) Merritt came in the room and said, ‘We all have to prepare as if we’re going to start the game,’” Mundy said. “That really sets the tempo, sets the attitude for our room. Because you never know who could go down, or when they could go down, but you know our job as professional athletes is to be ready.”

Mundy is a physical player, known as a big hitter. That was the same reputation Stevie Brown had. The two of them were teammates at Michigan for one season, so they are familiar with each other. Which is good. Because they might have to play side-by-side.

“I do have a reputation for hitting people,” Mundy said. “My time in Pittsburgh I did whatever was asked of me. If Troy was out of the game, then I was playing strong safety. If Ryan Clark was out of the game, then I was playing free safety. That’s just been my whole approach to be a professional. Whatever I need to do to help the team out, I’m more than willing to do.”

SEE PHOTOSHit or miss: Giants 1st-round picks since 1986