By JOSEPH SPECTOR
Albany Bureau Chief
ALBANY -- In advance of the Super Bowl XLVI between the Giants and Patriots, Gov. Andrew Cuomo took some hits Thursday at the Patriots, saying no one even wants to claim them as their own.
"I'll let you what's interesting about the New England Patriots," Cuomo joked with reporters at the Capitol. "Isn't it interesting that no specific state identifies with the team? Like the Mid-Atlantic Chargers. Why didn't Massachusetts say, 'It's our team? Massachusetts Patriots. Vermont Patriots. New Hampshire Patriots.' They all have semi-deniability. That's what I think this is."
On the topic of whether New York or New Jersey can lay claim to the Giants, Cuomo tried to put an end to a dispute with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.
"He should read the helmets: New York," Cuomo smiled.
Christie has said he wants a parade in New Jersey, where the Giants play, if the Giants win the Super Bowl, which is to be played Feb. 5 in Indianapolis.
Christie said this week that, "The only thing New York about the Giants is the helmet. That's it."
Cuomo said he hasn't worked out a bet with Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick on the game, but they will come up with one.
And Cuomo felt confident about the Giants' chances, though didn't predict a score.
"Bet all your money on the Giants," Cuomo said, adding, "I said anything he wants to wager, I will wager. We're going to work it out."