2007 NY Giants Articles and Video

[jerseygiantfan]

Giants name Michael Strahan, four others team captains

 

BY RALPH VACCHIANO

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

 

Saturday, September 8th 2007, 4:00 AM

 

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When Michael Strahan returned from his 38-day holdout, he said he wasn't worried about how his teammates would receive him. He was convinced, even after skipping all of training camp, he still had their respect.

 

Yesterday they proved that he does.

 

Just three days after finally rejoining his teammates, the 35-year-old Strahan was elected captain by his peers - a title he'll share with four others for the season. The other captains are quarterback Eli Manning, center Shaun O'Hara, linebacker Antonio Pierce and punter Jeff Feagles.

 

And Strahan's co-defensive captain admitted there aren't many NFL players who could have sat out all summer, then come back and been declared a leader by player vote.

 

"There ain't too many at all," Pierce said. "That's just what he's meant to the guys that are here. He's a guy that for 14-15 years has been a productive player as well as a leader on the team. Everybody thought we were going to turn our backs on him. That shows you how tight this team is."

 

Strahan, who has served as a game-day captain on countless occasions during his 14 NFL seasons, admitted the honor was "a really big deal" because "it shows guys respect you." He also said it's more proof that his summer "break" was irrelevant to his teammates.

 

"That training-camp thing meant nothing," he said. "That was more of a figment of the imagination of the pens and papers than actually the players. Players don't care about none of that. You come out here, you play. That's what matters."

 

Electing five permanent captains was a departure for the Giants and for Tom Coughlin, who in the past had the coaching staff select different captains for each game. The NFL is pushing teams to select year-long captains this season, in part for marketing reasons so they can wear jerseys with the captain's "C" on the chest.

 

Still, Coughlin wasn't willing to make the policy switch until he discussed it with his newly formed, 10-player "leadership council," which endorsed the idea in a morning meeting before the team vote.

 

The selection of Strahan, who on occasion during the last four years has made life difficult for Coughlin, did not seem to catch the coach by surprise.

 

"He's been a solid individual in the locker room for the players," Coughlin said. "He's been a solid guy in the locker room for this coaching staff, and I think that was recognized by the players as well. There isn't any question he's a tremendous football player and a tremendous addition to that group and they admire him."

 

The only remaining question, of course, is if they get to play with him tomorrow night when the Giants open the regular season in Dallas. The Giants have until 4 p.m. today to add him to the active roster.

 

It seems a lock they will do that since Strahan said his right foot, which he sprained last year, "feels fine" after participating in all four practices this week.

 

Strahan did say there was a possibility he'd play only in "certain situations" and on a limited basis. "I'm pretty sure that might be the case," he said.

 

DECISION AROUND CORNER: CB Sam Madison (hamstring) practiced again, but he'll be a game-time decision. "He's done everything we've asked him to do," Coughlin said. "It's just a question of whether we think it's been enough."... Jared Lorenzen will be the No. 2 QB. ... Dallas receiver Terry Glenn will miss tomorrow's game after injuring his right knee, which was operated on in the preseason.

 

[jerseygiantfan]

Giants DE Umenyiora, RB Jacobs leave with injuries

 

ESPN.com news services

 

Updated: September 9, 2007, 11:23 PM ET

 

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IRVING, Texas -- The New York Giants lost their top defensive player, end Osi Umenyiora, and their new starting running back, Brandon Jacobs, to knee injuries early in the opener against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night.

 

Giants backup cornerback Kevin Dockery left the game late in the third quarter with a right ankle injury.

 

Umenyiora landed awkwardly while making a tackle on the Giants' first defensive stand. Team officials said X-rays showed no break, but they were planning on getting further tests done upon returning to New York.

 

Jacobs had six carries for 26 yards in his first start, replacing the retired Tiki Barber. Then he sprained a knee in the second quarter and was ruled out, too.

 

Dallas also lost nose tackle Jason Ferguson to an elbow injury in the first quarter. He was declared out for the night, although he returned to the bench still in pads with the elbow heavily bandaged.

 

Umenyiora, who led the NFC with 14½ sacks two years ago, was hurt while dragging down Dallas running back Julius Jones. He spent a few plays trying to get comfortable on the sideline, then went to the locker room, accompanied by several team staffers. He walked under his own power.

 

As expected, Cowboys cornerback Terence Newman was inactive, and Giants defensive end Michael Strahan was on the field.

 

Strahan sat out all of training camp while contemplating retirement before he decided to rejoin the Giants this week. The seven-time Pro Bowler was in uniform for the start of his 15th season.

 

Newman has a partial tissue tear in the base of his right foot that kept him out of the last three preseason games and practice this week. Jacques Reeves, a fourth-year player, made his second career start in Newman's spot.

 

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

[jerseygiantfan]

Giants lose key players in loss to Cowboys

 

ESPN.com news services

 

Updated: September 10, 2007, 12:20 AM ET

 

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IRVING, Texas -- The New York Giants lost more than a game on Sunday.

 

Quarterback Eli Manning bruised his throwing shoulder late in the game and left before the Giants fell short to the Dallas Cowboys 45-35 on Sunday night.

 

After the game, Manning said the shoulder was just bruised and sore but he did say that he would have an MRI.

 

In addition, top defensive player, end Osi Umenyiora, and the Giants' new starting running back, Brandon Jacobs left with knee injuries.

 

Giants backup cornerback Kevin Dockery left the game late in the third quarter with a right ankle injury.

 

Umenyiora landed awkwardly while making a tackle on the Giants' first defensive stand. Team officials said X-rays showed no break, but they were planning on getting further tests done upon returning to New York.

 

Jacobs had six carries for 26 yards in his first start, replacing the retired Tiki Barber. Then he sprained a knee in the second quarter and was ruled out, too.

 

Manning threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Derrick Ward with 7:20 left that got New York within 38-28. After botching a 2-point try, the Giants got the ball back on Romo's only interception. Manning followed with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress, their third connection of the night, to make it 38-35.

 

Hurd, getting key playing time because of Terry Glenn's injury absence, put Dallas comfortably back ahead by turning a slant into a long touchdown with 3:03 to go.

 

But Manning didn't return, sidelined by a bruised throwing shoulder, and the Giants were out of rallies.

 

Manning was 28-of-41 for 312 yards and four touchdowns with an interception.

 

Dallas also lost nose tackle Jason Ferguson to an arm injury in the first quarter. ESPN's Ed Werder reported on Sunday night that Ferguson is lost for the season with a torn biceps.

 

He returned to the bench still in pads with his arm heavily bandaged.

 

Umenyiora, who led the NFC with 14½ sacks two years ago, was hurt while dragging down Dallas running back Julius Jones. He spent a few plays trying to get comfortable on the sideline, then went to the locker room, accompanied by several team staffers. He walked under his own power.

 

As expected, Cowboys cornerback Terence Newman was inactive, and Giants defensive end Michael Strahan was on the field.

 

Strahan sat out all of training camp while contemplating retirement before he decided to rejoin the Giants this week. The seven-time Pro Bowler was in uniform for the start of his 15th season.

 

Newman has a partial tissue tear in the base of his right foot that kept him out of the last three preseason games and practice this week. Jacques Reeves, a fourth-year player, made his second career start in Newman's spot.

 

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

[jerseygiantfan]

Brandon Jacobs out with injury, Derrick Ward in

 

Monday, September 10th 2007, 4:00 AM

 

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IRVING, Tex. - The biggest worry about Brandon Jacobs heading into his first full season as a starter was whether he could stay healthy for all 16 games.

 

He didn't even last one.

 

The Giants' replacement for the retired Tiki Barber took himself out of the game on the Giants' fourth offensive series, early in the second quarter, with what was later diagnosed as a sprained MCL in his right knee. He will undergo an MRI in New York today.

 

The good news, though, is that the Giants discovered they have a backup, just in case Jacobs is out for awhile. Derrick Ward came in and rushed for 89 yards on 13 carries, and caught four passes for 27 yards, including a 9-yard touchdown in the second quarter of the Giants' 45-35 loss.

 

"He played very well," Tom Coughlin said. "He certainly made his presence felt."

 

Ward's longest play was a 44-yard run at the end of the third quarter that set up a field goal. But his biggest was the touchdown catch with 7:20 remaining that pulled the Giants within 10 points, 38-28.

 

"That's why they tell you to be prepared at any time," Ward said. "I prepare like I'm going to be the starter every practice, so when it comes time in a game I'll be ready."

 

Ward, a third-year player with the Giants, may need to be ready to start next week too, if the news on Jacobs' knee isn't good. Jacobs had gained only 26 yards on six carries before he hurt the knee on a two-yard run that was wiped out by a holding penalty on guard Chris Snee. As he turned upfield, he appeared to kick the back of Dallas defensive end Anthony Spencer and his lower right leg bent awkwardly to the side.

 

MORE PAIN: K Lawrence Tynes was suffering cramps in his right leg during the second half and collapsed after a fourth-quarter kickoff. However, he stayed in the game and connected on a 24-yard field goal and an extra point. ... TE Jeremy Shockey (5-41) was dehydrated at the end of the first half. ... CB Kevin Dockery injured his ankle. ... DT William Joseph suffered back spasms during warmups and was not activated for the game. DT Manny Wright took his place.

 

WARPED 45: The 45 points the Giants gave up were the most they've ever allowed in a season opener, surpassing the total from a 42-40 win in Green Bay in 1971.

 

[jerseygiantfan]

 

Eli Manning's injury ruins good performance

 

Monday, September 10th 2007, 4:00 AM

 

 

IRVING, Tex. - Eli Manning relied on his left hand to tighten the knot on his tie and then he carefully put his right arm into the sleeve of his sports jacket as he stood in front of his locker late last night at Texas Stadium.

 

He goes for an MRI today on his right shoulder. It was bruised when Cowboys rookie Anthony Spencer threw him to the turf and Manning landed on his shoulder on a failed two-point conversion attempt midway through the fourth quarter of the Giants' wild 45-35 season-opening loss. It forced him out of the game for the Giants' final drive with the game out of reach.

 

Manning didn't seem worried that he will miss any time. The Giants' season depends on his MRI. If he's right and there is no damage, the Giants only lost one game last night. If he's wrong and he's out for an extended period, the season could be over before it really gets started. This is the first time he's ever hurt his shoulder.

 

"It just feels a little tight, a little sore right now," Manning said. "I think I just bruised it. I'm still able to throw on it. I threw the last touchdown to Plaxico (Burress) on the last drive with it. So I can still make all the throws."

 

Manning played the best game of his career last night. He threw for 312 yards and four touchdowns. The only interception came when Burress slipped and fell as Manning was releasing. He displayed fire in the huddle and on the sidelines and showed toughess coming right back in the game after he was hurt and throwing his third TD to Burress.

 

His teammates didn't even know he was hurt until Jared Lorenzen replaced him with 3:03 remaining after the Cowboys had increased their lead to 10 on a 51-yard touchdown pass from Tony Romo to Sam Hurd with 3:03 left. If the Giants' defense, which gave up 478 yards and the most points in the first game of the season in the franchise's 83-year history, had been able to hold the Cowboys right there, Manning said he would have come back in the game.

 

"He played phenomenal," Burress said.

 

"I had no idea he was hurt," tackle David Diehl said. "He played tough. He sat in the pocket and made adjustments he needed to make. He was vocal on the sidelines."

 

But Manning was not able to overcome the Giants' defense, which was gassed and sucking air most of the night. This game had such the feel of last year: The defense couldn't stop anybody and the injuries are once again threatening to ruin the season.

 

Osi Umenyiora injured his knee in the first quarter, forcing Michael Strahan to play more snaps than planned, running back Brandon Jacobs hurt his knee in the second quarter and Manning was hurt in the fourth quarter. They are all going for MRIs today.

 

The Giants' defensive strategy needs to go for an MRI today, too, to dissect exactly what went wrong. New defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo came from the Eagles and brought along Philly's pressure defense scheme. But if the quarterback is not uncomfortable, it opens up the defense to huge plays unless the secondary is made up of All-Pros. That clearly is not the case with the Giants.

 

Tony Romo was sacked just once. Terrell Owens, held without a catch in the first half, scored on 22- and 47-yard plays in the second half. Marion Barber broke tackles by Antonio Pierce, James Butler and Corey Webster in the first half to score from 18 yards. And tight end Jason Witten ran through the middle of the Giants defense to catch six passes for 116 yards and was wide open in the end zone to catch a 12-yard TD from Romo, who thew for 345 yards.

 

Manning gave the Giants just about everything they always wanted from him last night: improved accuracy, leadership, better body language and indications he could be off to a Pro Bowl year if he's not seriously hurt.

 

Manning threw a 9-yard TD pass to Derrick Ward - who also rushed for 89 yards replacing Jacobs - that cut the Cowboys' lead to 38-28 with 7:20 left in the game. Tom Coughlin elected to go for two in an attempt to get the Giants within a touchdown and two-point conversion of tying the game. Smart move. But Manning was sacked by Spencer and thrown the turf.

 

"Clean hit," Manning said.

 

He landed on the shoulder and was visited by Dr. Russell Warren when he came to the sideline. Manning rotated his arm. "I threw one ball on the sideline and made the throw," Manning said. "I said, 'I can go in there and still get this done.'"

 

There was no time to argue. The offense was right back on the field when Romo was intercepted by Gibril Wilson on first down. Manning completed all four of his passes on a quick 22-yard drive, getting the Giants within 38-35 when he hit Burress from the 10 with 4:09 left. But when Romo found Hurd to get the lead back to 10 with 3:03 to go, Manning was done.

 

"After that, we made sure to get it iced down so we could get it under control," Coughlin said.

 

Realistically, even if Lorenzen had scored quickly, the Giants defense probably would have given up another touchdown. "As time went on, it got a little more sore and tightened up," Manning said of the shoulder. "When they got the final touchdown, it was a situation where I didn't want to go in there and make anything worse, land on it or get hit on it where I would miss next week."

 

This is now Manning's team. This is a very important MRI coming up today.

[jerseygiantfan]

Eli Manning and Giants pounded by Cowboys

 

BY RALPH VACCHIANO

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

 

Monday, September 10th 2007, 10:46 AM

 

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IRVING, Tex. - The Giants didn't just lose a game last night. They very nearly lost their season.

 

As it is, they will be holding their breath today awaiting the results on three critical MRIs - one on Osi Umenyiora's knee, another on Brandon Jacobs' knee and the big one on Eli Manning's right shoulder. All three players were casualties last night, in the Giants' otherwise thrilling, season-opening, 45-35 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

 

They lost Umenyiora on the first defensive series and Jacobs early in the second quarter. But the near-killer came with 7:20 left when, on a failed two-point conversion, Manning was slammed to the ground by rookie defensive end Anthony Spencer.

 

Manning got up and came back in to throw a touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress a few minutes later, pulling the Giants within 38-35. But he was unable to come back out with 2:54 remaining and the Giants down 10, leaving backup Jared Lorenzen to lead the desperation drive.

 

"It got a little tight and as time went on it got a little more sore," Manning said. "I didn't want to go in and make anything worse."

 

Manning had an otherwise spectacular night, completing 28 of 41 passes for 312 yards, four touchdowns (including three to Burress) and one interception that only happened because Burress slipped. He said he would have gone out for one more drive if the Giants were still within a touchdown.

 

"But when they got the final touchdown," he said, "I wanted to make the smart decision."

 

The final touchdown - a 51-yard pass from Tony Romo to Sam Hurd with 3:03 remaining - was the final nail in what Antonio Pierce called an "embarrassing" performance by the defense. After the Giants lost Umenyiora to a left knee injury in the first quarter, they struggled to generate a pass rush. That left the secondary exposed, and Romo (15-for-24, 345 yards, four touchdowns) ripped them apart.

 

He did most of his damage in the middle of the field, playing catch with tight end Jason Witten (6 catches, 116 yards, 1 touchdown). But he and Owens hooked up for two second-half scores, including a 47-yarder that gave the Cowboys a 38-22 lead early in the fourth.

 

The Cowboys scored four times in the second half and they burned the Giants for a total of 478 yards.

 

"We didn't get the pressure on the quarterback that we thought we were going to get," Tom Coughlin said. "When you rely on (an attacking) type of defense, you have to get to the quarterback. But that doesn't take away from the coverage aspect. The coverage was kind of baffling."

 

"It was obviously embarrassing for all of us," Pierce added. "The tackling, the coverage, everything. Nothing went well for us."

 

They had no such issues on offense, even after they lost Jacobs to a sprained right MCL early in the second quarter when he appeared to awkwardly kick the back of Spencer on a two-yard run that was negated by a holding penalty on Chris Snee. At first, without Jacobs, the Giants had difficulty running the ball. But his replacement, third-year player Derrick Ward, eventually warmed up and finished with 13 carries for 89 yards.

 

And Manning - who hit Burress (8-144-3) for a 60-yard touchdown on the third play of the game - never stopped moving the ball. With the Giants trailing 17-6 late in the first half, he led a two-minute drive that resulted in Burress' second touchdown. And after the Cowboys fumbled the ensuing kickoff, they added the second of Lawrence Tynes' three field goals to pull within 17-16.

 

Then the second half became a shootout. Romo hit Owens for two scores and ran one in for himself, giving the Cowboys a 16-point lead with 11:43 remaining. Manning answered with a a 9-yard pass to Ward with 7:20 remaining, pulling the Giants to within 38-28 (the two-point conversion try failed).

 

Still hurting, Manning said he "didn't really have any option" to sit out the next series after Gibril Wilson quickly picked off a Romo pass deep in Dallas territory. And he looked fine when he hit Burress in the back of the end zone from 10 yards out to make the score 38-35. Just 66 seconds later, Romo put the Giants out of their misery. All that was left was the body count.

 

And the count was undoubtedly high, though the extent of any of the injuries won't be known until today. Manning optimistically said he doesn't expect to miss any time.

 

"But we'll see how it feels (today)," he said. "We'll see what the X-rays and the MRIs say, and we'll go from there."

 

[jerseygiantfan]

BIG D' A BIG PAIN FOR BIG BLUE

ELI, OSI, JACOBS INJURED IN LOSS TO COWBOYS

By PAUL SCHWARTZ

 

 

September 10, 2007 -- IRVING, Texas - At the finish, Eli Manning was on the sideline, his right shoulder bruised and tight, his evening over and done after a sterling performance in the season opener was washed over by an overflow of rotten defense.

 

Manning, running back Brandon Jacobs and defensive end Osi Umenyiora were all injury casualties last night as the Giants engaged in a shootout and ultimately fell victim to their own defenselessness in a 45-35 loss to the Cowboys at hooting and hollering Texas Stadium.

 

All of a sudden, this new season is at a crisis point for the Giants, not because they are 0-1 but because three key players are hurting. Jacobs in the second quarter of his first career start went down with a sprained medial collateral ligament that figures to keep him out at least a few weeks. Umenyiora didn't make it out of the first defensive series and though X-rays taken of his knee came back negative, there's concern about his status.

 

Manning (28 of 41, 312 yards) played one of the best games, matching a career high with four touchdown passes, three to Plaxico Burress. But with 7:20 remaining and the Giants trailing 38-28, he was thrown to the turf by rookie linebacker Anthony Spencer on a failed two-point conversion pass. Manning bruised his throwing shoulder on the play but returned to the field after Gibril Wilson intercepted Tony Romo, giving the ball back to the Giants. Manning threw a 9-yard scoring pass to Burress to close the deficit to 38-35 and would have come back in the game again if his defense could have come up with a stop.

 

It could not, as Romo fired a 51-yard scoring strike to Sam Hurd, who beat a badly trailing R.W. McQuarters to put the game out of reach.

 

"It got a little tight as time went on," Manning said of his ailing shoulder. "It got a little more sore. If we had gotten the ball back I would have gone in and tried to win the game. When they got that final touchdown and I talked to the coaches. I didn't want to hurt it worse."

 

Jared Lorenzen finished up for Manning, who will undergo an MRI exam today to uncover the extent of the injury. "I think it's just soreness and we'll be able to get it worked out," he said.

 

"He played very, very well," Tom Coughlin said of Manning. "It's just a shame we didn't get the win out of it."

 

The fingerprints of this loss were left by a Giants defense that was even more shabby than last year, despite the presence of a new defensive coordinator, Steve Spagnuolo, and a supposedly more aggressive scheme. Romo looked like Roger Staubach, compiling 345 passing yards and four touchdown passes, two to Terrell Owens. Tight end Jason Witten (6-116, one TD) ran free all night, often easing past a confused-looking Mathias Kiwanuka in his first game at linebacker.

 

"We couldn't stop them," Coughlin said. "We didn't get the pressure on the quarterback we thought we would get and the coverage aspect of it is kind of baffling."

 

Michael Strahan did not start after his 36-day holdout, but played quite a bit after Umenyiora was forced out.

 

"It's very easy to say it's a new defense but we're not going to make any excuses," Strahan said. "We got beat, that's the bottom line."

 

The Giants amassed 22 first downs and 438 total yards but could not get the Cowboys off the field. The Giants trailed 17-16 at halftime, fell behind 38-22 and then staged a comeback that fell short because their defense could not come close to containing Romo.

 

"We feel like we let the whole offense down," safety Gibril Wilson said. "They scored 35 points and that should be enough."

 

Derrick Ward replaced Jacobs and rushed for 89 yards and caught a touchdown pass.

[jerseygiantfan]

 

DEFENSE TRULY RESTS FOR GIANTS

 

 

By MIKE VACCARO September 10, 2007 -- IRVING, Texas - The quar terback's right shoulder is a concern, because the quarterback's shoulder will always be a concern when it leaves a game bruised, when it departs a city a little less healthy than when it arrived.

 

So the Giants will hold their breath with Eli Manning this week, they'll see how the wing responds to ice and to treatment and they'll hope he'll be at full strength next week, when the Packers come to Giants Stadium for the home opener. As well as Manning played last night against the Cowboys, it's enough to make you wonder what the season holds in store for him.

 

But as poorly as the Giants' defense played last night, it's enough to make you want to shrug your shoulders - even bruised shoulders - and wonder something else:

 

What good will an ascendant Eli Manning be to the Giants if he can throw for 312 yards and four touchdowns and put 35 points on the board on the road . . . and still lose by 10?

 

"The Cowboys," defensive end Justin Tuck said, "definitely put a kink in our plans."

 

They kinked up the plans and they tore up the blueprints and they dented and chipped and splattered everything else wearing blue last night. This woeful night should best be remembered by four numbers, in ascending order of importance:

 

There is one (1), which is how many punts the Giants defense forced, which is almost hard to believe. There is 142, the number of yards the Cowboys gained on the ground, and 345, which is how much Tony Romo collected through the air. And, most shameful, there is 45. When you surrender 45 points on opening night, it doesn't often inspire happy harbingers of what's to come.

 

"Nothing went well for us," linebacker Antonio Pierce said. "And it's hard to win when you don't do anything well."

 

"We let the whole offense down," added safety Gibril Wilson, who did make the defense's one notable contribution, picking off a foolish Romo pass midway through the fourth quarter that temporarily offered an illusion of escape, which helped set the offense up to make it 38-35 with time left for a stop and a score.

[jerseygiantfan]

Manning (shoulder) in doubt for Giants

FOXSports.com, Updated 41 minutes ago

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Giants coach Tom Coughlin reacts to a report that QB Eli Manning will miss a month with a shoulder injury suffered in N.Y.'s loss to Dallas.

Manning had an MRI on Monday that revealed a contusion to the acromioclavicular joint, near the collarbone.

 

"They have put it in my hands," Manning said of his playing status. "It's how you heal, and when you start to feel good and when you can make the throws. It's not a certain amount of time. It's how long you take to heal. I hope I'm a fast healer."

 

Manning called his injury a bruised shoulder. Giants coach Tom Coughlin said it was sprained. The Giants public relations staff labeled it a bruised AC joint.

 

Manning's shoulder will be iced and get electrical stimulation over the next two days. The Giants start practicing for the Packers on Wednesday.

 

"Everything is probably as good as it can be from the test results," Manning said of the injury to the top of his shoulder. "It's just a matter of when do you have the strength and when do you feel you can throw it full strength, and you'll be out there playing."

 

The Giants got other good news on Monday. Former Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora irritated the cartilage in his left knee in the first quarter, and his status is day to day. Halfback Brandon Jacobs, who sprained his right knee, will be week to week.

 

Manning, who has started 42 straight regular-season and playoff games for the Giants dating to 2004, said he wasn't in a lot of pain on Monday evening. He even joked with reporters. He said he brushed his teeth with his right hand, started his car with his right hand and then stuck out his right hand and shook hands with one reporter.

 

Walking off the field on Sunday night after the 45-35 loss to the Cowboys in Dallas, Manning only stuck out his left hand to greet opponents.

 

For effect on Monday, Manning even grabbed a pair of shorts hanging in his locker and lifted them three times in a weightlifting move.

 

"I am not in pain or hurting in any way," said Manning, who completed 28 of 41 passes for 312 yards, four touchdowns and one interception in the loss. "When I can throw the ball, I will be out there throwing."

 

Manning and Coughlin denied an ESPN report that the quarterback had a separated shoulder and would be out four weeks.

 

"I don't know where that report came from and I don't know where the information supposedly came from," Coughlin said, adding that if Manning can't play this week "it will be another week."

 

Jared Lorenzen, who finished up in the Giants' final series, will start if Manning can't go Sunday.

 

Manning was hurt on a failed two-point conversion attempt in the fourth quarter when he was hit by linebacker Anthony Spencer.

 

"I knew it didn't feel good," said Manning, who has never missed a game at any level because of an injury. "Sometimes you'll get hit and you'll lose some strength and it will come back. I was just hoping that that's what it was, but I knew it was a little bit more than that."

 

Following Gibril Wilson's interception, Manning went right back out and threw his third touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress.

 

After Dallas scored on a third-down, 51-yard touchdown pass on a play in which officials missed an illegal procedure by Cowboys receiver Patrick Crayton, Coughlin and Manning decided it would be best for him to take the rest of the night off.

 

"I knew there was something wrong," Manning said. "I knew it had gotten a little tighter and I felt more pain, I guess, after sitting a little more time on the sideline. I didn't want to make anything worse. If we had stopped them on the third down and gotten the ball back, my competitive nature, I would have gone back in there and tried to win that game."

 

 

 

Notes

Derrick Ward will start for Jacobs with Reuben Droughns getting more time as his backup. ... The Giants are considering moving LB Mathias Kiwanuka back to defensive end if Umenyiora takes a while to heal. ... The Giants signed DT Russell Davis, a nine-year veteran who has played for Chicago, Arizona and Seattle. They have until 4 p.m. Tuesday to make a roster move to clear space for Davis.

[jerseygiantfan]

Tom Coughlin annoyed over non-call on Romo-Hurd TD

 

BY RALPH VACCHIANO

 

 

 

Tuesday, September 11th 2007, 4:00 AM

 

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According to Tom Coughlin, the 51-yard touchdown pass from Tony Romo to Sam Hurd that sealed the game for the Cowboys in the fourth quarter Sunday never should have happened.

 

Apparently, receiver Patrick Crayton went in motion and then took a step forward, but a penalty flag wasn't thrown.

 

"They've got an illegal procedure which is very obvious but is not called," Coughlin said yesterday. "It would've been interesting. It would've been third-and-12. What happens there? You're going to have to punt the ball if you don't convert. And then what happens?"

 

 

 

[jerseygiantfan]

Derrick Ward ready to step in for Brandon Jacobs

 

BY RALPH VACCHIANO

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

 

Tuesday, September 11th 2007, 4:00 AM

 

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For three years, Derrick Ward has toiled near the bottom of the Giants' roster in relative obscurity, overshadowed by other running backs and kick returners on the team.

 

Sunday night he took his first steps out of the shadow. On Sunday, he'll likely take a few more.

 

The 27-year-old Ward is expected to start in place of the injured Brandon Jacobs when the Giants play their home opener against the Green Bay Packers. Ward took over for Jacobs on Sunday night, rushing 13 times for 89 yards and catching four passes for 27 yards and a touchdown in the Giants' 45-35 loss in Dallas.

 

According to his teammates, that was only a small taste of what the former Ottawa (Kan.) University product can do.

 

"Well, he's definitely been a guy that's flown under the radar," said center Shaun O'Hara. "Last year with his injury he just didn't have a chance to get out there and participate in the season. But you saw (Sunday) he's got good vision and he's got the physical tools to make plays."

 

Ward, picked out of his tiny NAIA school in the seventh round by the Jets in 2004, mostly has been used as a kick returner in his three seasons with the Giants, averaging 23.1 yards on 39 returns. In 2005, as Tiki Barber's backup, he rushed 35 times for 123 yards. But behind both Barber and Jacobs he didn't get a single carry last year.

 

Part of the reason for that was because of what O'Hara called "his unfortunate foot situation." Wearing his cleats on the way to a team meeting over the summer, he slipped on the floor and ended up with a fractured foot that cost him the first six and last two games of the season.

 

Now the 5-11, 228-pound Ward is healthy, and Tom Coughlin says there is a lot to like.

 

"His quickness, his speed, the fact that he's 230 pounds - a lot of times people don't even recognize that fact," Coughlin said. "He has played enough now to be a guy that has a little savvy about the spot. He's certainly proved in training camp that he deserves the opportunity and he certainly will get some more."

 

He should get plenty of opportunities until Jacobs returns from his sprained right MCL, though Reuben Droughns likely will see an increased workload as well, and quarterback Eli Manning said the Giants might even work in rookie running back Ahmad Bradshaw.

 

If they have to give most of the work to Ward, though, the Giants trust he can do the job.

 

MATH MAJOR: With Osi Umenyiora out at defensive end, could Mathias Kiwanuka be back in?

 

Less than 24 hours after Umenyiora injured his left knee, Coughlin refused to rule out switching Kiwanuka back from linebacker to his original position in the coming weeks.

 

"There will be more discussions in the next day or so," Coughlin said. "We need to get a handle on where Osi is."

 

Umenyiora is expected be out for at least a month, according to a source close to the defensive end. Justin Tuck played well there Sunday night, but 35-year-old Michael Strahan wasn't much of a factor and he's still practiced only four times since the end of his 38-day holdout.

 

[jerseygiantfan]

Manning has sprain; Jacobs, Umenyiora more serious

 

BY RALPH VACCHIANO

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

 

Tuesday, September 11th 2007, 8:59 AM

 

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Eli Manning had a feeling that the injury to his shoulder injury wouldn't turn out to be serious. It looks like he was right.

 

But his teammates weren't as lucky.

 

While Manning holds out hope that he'll be able to play in the Giants' home opener against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday despite a sprained right shoulder, defensive end Osi Umenyiora and running back Brandon Jacobs will be lost for awhile. Jacobs, according to a league source, will miss 3-5 weeks with a sprained MCL in his right knee. Umenyiora has what the Giants are calling irritation to the lateral meniscus in his left knee and, according to a source, is expected to be out a month.

 

The Giants were much more optimistic, calling Umenyiora - who missed five games with a torn hip flexor last season - "day to day." Jacobs is listed as "week to week."

 

Still, the consensus in the organization seemed to be that it had dodged a big bullet yesterday when the MRI on Manning's shoulder showed nothing but a sprained A-C joint. He suffered the injury Sunday night, when he was thrown to the ground by Dallas linebacker Anthony Spencer on a failed two-point conversion in the fourth quarter of the Giants' 45-35 loss.

 

He went back out on the next series and threw his fourth touchdown pass of the game. But after that, his shoulder tightened up and he took himself out of the game.

 

Yesterday, Manning said he was "sore," but said the fact he was able to throw that 10-yard touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress after the injury "makes me feel positive about my status this week." He insisted there was no structural damage to his shoulder and dismissed reports that he'd be out for a month.

 

Just to be sure, Manning's MRI will be reviewed this week in Alabama by orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews, though Manning has no plans to travel there himself. In fact, he's going to try to practice tomorrow, which will be the first test to see if he'll be ready to make his 43rd consecutive start.

 

"How I feel later this week will be the big factor," said Manning, who was outstanding before he got hurt in the loss to Dallas, completing 28 of 41 passes for 312 yards and four touchdowns. "I've got to be smart with it, listen to the coaches and trainers and what they say. They really put it in my hands. It's a matter of when you feel good, when you feel that you can throw the ball at full strength and don't feel like it's going to hurt when you're doing it."

 

If Manning can't go, Jared Lorenzen likely would get the start, according to Tom Coughlin, though the coach wouldn't rule out veteran third-stringer Anthony Wright. For the moment, though, the Giants are focused solely on Manning and the continued hope that he won't miss any time.

 

"We're just going to have to see how it is and whether he can practice or play on a daily basis and when he'll be able to do the things he needs to be able to do," Coughlin said. "Quite frankly if it's not possible this week, then it'll be another week."

 

According to a source who has spoken to Manning, the quarterback's hope is that if he has to miss any time, it won't be more than a week or two.

 

"I'm trying to be conscious of (the shoulder)," Manning said. "I don't want to make anything worse or strain it. I'll just really try to rest it. They asked if I wanted to be in a sling just for comfort or to keep me from using it. I said, 'I'm not in any pain. I'll be smart with it. I won't try to lift up a bed or move a couch or anything.'"

 

Meanwhile, neither Jacobs nor Umenyiora spoke to the media yesterday. Umenyiora was spotted "limping badly" as he walked into the locker room early in the day, according to one witness. Derrick Ward, who rushed for 89 yards on 13 carries Sunday night, likely will start for Jacobs against the Packers. And with Umenyiora out, Justin Tuck and Michael Strahan will start at defensive end.

 

[jerseygiantfan]

Eli takes snaps, hands off at practice

Associated Press, Updated 32 minutes ago

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - Giants quarterback Eli Manning was at practice Wednesday, taking snaps and handing off as he tested his bruised right shoulder.

 

He was scheduled to throw later in the day.

 

Giants coach Tom Coughlin gave no indication whether Manning would play Sunday against the Green Bay Packers but said, "I am encouraged by his progress."

 

Coughlin also said Manning is not as sore as he was a few days ago and that the swelling in his shoulder had subsided.

 

Jared Lorenzen took snaps with the first team, and would make his first career start if Manning can't play.

 

Manning, who was hurt in the fourth quarter of Sunday night's season-opening 45-35 loss at Dallas, has started the last 42 regular season and playoff games for New York.

 

Coughlin said Manning's status is day-to-day.

 

"We'll take everything into consideration, realize that he wants to play and is extremely competitive, and at the right time, we'll make the proper call," Coughlin said.

 

Coughlin refused to set a deadline for Manning, who completed 28-of-41 passes for 312 yards and four touchdowns in the loss.

 

"We'll give him every opportunity," Coughlin said.

 

Coughlin also was encouraged by the injury report on defensive end Osi Umenyiora. He hurt a knee in the first quarter against Dallas. He also is being listed as day-to-day.

 

Halfback Brandon Jacobs will be out up to a month with a knee injury.

 

Kicker Lawrence Tynes did not practice Wednesday because of a calf injury. He is expected to kick on Thursday.

 

Coughlin said that free agent Josh Huston, who was barely beat out by Tynes in training camp, would be among his top choices if New York needed a new kicker this weekend.

[jerseygiantfan]

Coughlin 'encouraged' by Eli Manning's progress

 

BY RALPH VACCHIANO

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

 

Thursday, September 13th 2007, 4:00 AM

 

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Eli Manning took his injured right shoulder out for a test drive yesterday, and Tom Coughlin insisted he's "encouraged" by his quarterback's progress. But his status for Sunday's home opener remains uncertain.

 

And the mystery surrounding him grows deeper every day.

 

While the Giants continue to say Manning is "day-to-day," a source who has spoken with Manning and is familiar with the team doctors' diagnosis told the Daily News that Manning was initially told by Dr. Russell Warren, the team physician, that his recovery time would be 3-4 weeks. The source said Dr. Warren diagnosed a second-degree sprain of his right shoulder and that Dr. James Andrews, the orthopedic surgeon who reviewed the MRI in Birmingham, Ala., agreed.

 

That seems to confirm a report that has been running all week on ESPN, despite vehement denials from Manning, Coughlin and various other sources inside and outside of the Giants organization. The Giants are calling Manning's injury an AC joint contusion, although Coughlin has called it a "sprain."

 

Technically, a sprain is a slight separation. A second-degree sprain means that ligaments in the joint are torn. However, one team source insisted Manning's ligaments were only "stretched," which would make it a first-degree sprain. And the team continued to strongly deny that Manning was ever told his recovery would take 3-4 weeks.

 

Even if he was, one team source said, his actual recovery time was always going to be tied to how his arm felt and his ability to play through the pain.

 

"He refuses to even think he's hurt," Coughlin said. "So for him, and for all of us, we're staying as positive as we can. When we got the news, which was distributed to you properly the first time, we all felt better about it."

 

One source close to Manning who previously told the Daily News that Manning was day-to-day, changed his story yesterday because "I'm hearing conflicting things. I don't know what to believe anymore." The source added that he was "hopeful" that Manning would have to miss only one game, at most.

 

So what's the truth? That might not be clear until Sunday afternoon, since Manning's status for the Packers game is expected to be a game-time decision. And if he misses the game, snapping his streak of 42 consecutive starts, the truth might not be known for awhile since, like most teams, the Giants are very tight-lipped about injuries.

 

Last year, for example, Coughlin called defensive end Osi Umenyiora "day-to-day" with a hip injury, but he ended up missing five games. Defensive end Justin Tuck was "day-to-day" up until he opted for season-ending foot surgery that cost him the final 10 games. And when Michael Strahan sprained his foot on Nov. 5, the team issued a statement quoting trainer Ronnie Barnes saying Strahan would miss "anywhere from 2-4 weeks."

 

Strahan missed seven of the final eight games.

 

Nothing was cleared up yesterday. Manning, according to Coughlin, was scheduled to do "a little light soft-toss on the side," but all of that took place after practice was closed to the media. And neither Coughlin nor Manning spoke to reporters after practice was over.

 

During the first half-hour, which the media are allowed to watch, Manning mostly stood around wearing his helmet, but no pads. In individual drills, he took a few snaps, dropped back a few steps and faked a few handoffs. The only time he lifted his right arm over his shoulder was to flip the ball gently to assistant equipment manager Tim Slaman, who was standing a few yards away.

 

In team drills, backup quarterback Jared Lorenzen was expected to get all of the first-team snaps.

 

Coughlin said he'll huddle with the trainers and doctors this morning before deciding whether Manning will do any more at practice today. Lorenzen said he expects a final decision to be made on who will start the 1 p.m. game at "about 12:50" on Sunday afternoon.

 

"If I were a betting man I'd say he was going to play," Lorenzen said. "He's a tough guy. He showed a lot of grit out there last week getting in there and going 4 for 4 and throwing a touchdown (after the injury). So if there's any possibility of him playing, he will."

 

[jerseygiantfan]

Manning still taking wait-and-see approach

Associated Press, Updated 18 hours ago

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - Jared Lorenzen and Derrick Ward have run plenty of plays together for the New York Giants during the last few years.

 

Trouble is, most of them have come in the preseason or during practice with the scout team. Both players will be on a much larger stage Sunday when New York plays its home opener against Green Bay.

 

Ward will start at running back in place of injured Brandon Jacobs, while Lorenzen could start if Eli Manning's right shoulder has not healed sufficiently to allow the fourth-year pro to suit up and play.

 

"Could" has been the operative word around the Giants this week. Lorenzen continued to take snaps with the first team Thursday, as he has all week, while Manning threw on the sidelines and didn't take any snaps.

 

Afterward, Manning said his shoulder felt better than it did Tuesday or Wednesday, but said he would have to wait until the weekend to make his decision.

 

 

"I'm improving, but I still have some work to do," he said. "I know my body better than anybody. We'll just make a decision in the next couple of days. Hopefully, I can keep improving and get better. If I feel I can make all of the throws and help out this team and put us in a situation to win, then I will play."

 

Manning sprained his shoulder in Sunday night's 45-35 loss at Dallas when he was hit by linebacker Anthony Spencer on a failed two-point conversion attempt in the fourth quarter. Jacobs sprained his right knee in the first half and is considered week-to-week.

 

Manning said Thursday he was mystified by initial media reports that he would be out a month.

 

"I was surprised when I heard that, because I knew it wasn't going to be that long," he said.

 

While Lorenzen only ran four plays after Manning left the game — one completion, two incomplete passes and a 2-yard run — Ward was impressive with 89 yards on 13 carries and four catches for 27 yards.

 

He entered the season having carried the ball a total of 35 times in three seasons with the Giants, who have used him more as a kick returner — he averaged 27.3 yards on 16 returns in 2004, and ran one kick back for a 92-yard touchdown.

 

For the rest of the time, Ward has been the personification of the loyal soldier, never reaching the top of the depth chart but willingly playing the role of the opposing team's running back each week with the Giants' scout team, often with Lorenzen under center.

 

"Me and Jared have been together for three years, so I pretty much know his style and the way he plays," Ward said. "It'll be pretty easy going into a game with him."

 

Lorenzen is in his third year with the Giants, but had never thrown a regular-season pass until last Sunday. He said this week he has gradually become more comfortable with his new role and with looking up in the huddle and seeing Jeremy Shockey, Amani Toomer and Plaxico Burress staring back at him.

 

"I just need to sit down and watch more film, start spitting it out and understanding it, watching more film of the Packers and what they do," he said. "But the confidence is coming. There were definitely a lot more plays I was confident with today than yesterday."

 

Lorenzen was quick to add that he still thinks Manning will play, though it was hard to tell whether his assessment was grounded in fact or was the product of wishful thinking.

 

"This is his deal," Lorenzen said. "He's one of the toughest kids I know. If he can do it, he's going to go."

 

A loss Sunday could drop the Giants two games off the pace in the NFC East if Washington or Dallas wins, and would be New York's first 0-2 start to a season since 1996, Dan Reeves' last season as coach.

[jerseygiantfan]

Giant defense still Favre from good

 

Friday, September 14th 2007, 4:00 AM

 

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Eli Manning's sore wing and the Belichickanery of New England's favorite sideline video voyeur have provided great cover for the Giants defense this week.

 

Lost amid the questions about whether Manning can lift his arm to brush his teeth or what Bill knew and when he knew it is the clunker that Big Blue's defense threw up against Dallas in Week 1.

 

Hopefully, new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has used the quiet time to figure out how to get more pressure on the quarterback, how to cover a tight end down the middle and how to keep track of receivers in the defensive backfield.

 

Hey! There goes Jason Witten and T.O.! Just kidding, guys.

 

But seriously, this is not your father's Giants defense. What happened to that attacking defense we thought we were getting when Spagnuolo came over from the Eagles? Will we see it Sunday against Green Bay?

 

Don't count on it. With Brett Favre and the Packers in town, we're about to find out whether the Giants defense is that bad or whether the Dallas offense and Tony Romo are that good. Romo is what Favre used to be - a gunslinger who likes to move out of the pocket and find the open guy. Favre still moves, but not as fast as he used to. And he tends to make more mistakes now when he's on the run. And he may even let Michael Strahan sack him once or twice.

 

The Giants' defensive players don't downplay Favre's current abilities or the weapons around him.

 

"After playing Romo last week, we're definitely going to see more of a guy who knows how to get out of the pocket and avoid the rush and still deliver the ball with accuracy to receivers who know how to make plays," cornerback Sam Madison said yesterday in the Giants locker room.

 

The three things that haunted the Giants defense against Dallas will still be hovering overhead against the Packers. Defensive end Osi Umenyiora is out with a sprained knee; Mathias Kiwanuka is still learning how to play outside linebacker and Strahan is trying to play himself into shape.

 

Linebacker Antonio Pierce called it an embarrassing performance to get 45 points slapped on them in a loss. Terrell Owens told Dallas reporters this week that the Cowboys could have scored over 50 points on the Giants, but they missed three big plays.

 

"In no way did we see that performance coming in the way that we played the last three preseason games," Pierce said of the Giants defense. "Whenever we're looking at that stat sheet you think sometimes they're blown out of proportion. But this stat sheet wasn't wrong."

 

Those stinking stats - 45 points, 478 total yards allowed - matched what they saw in the film room on Monday. While he called it a forgettable game, Justin Tuck said the film of the performance was instructive.

 

"One thing that came out of that was we saw where we're weak," Tuck said. "We came in this week and the first two days and really did a good job of working on those."

 

Bottom line is that Strahan, their best pass rusher, is still out of shape, Kiwanuka is still out of place, and Umenyiora, the other Pro Bowl pass rusher, is still out of the game.

 

Kiwanuka did not back away from his terrible performance.

 

"I'm definitely still learning it," he said. "The bottom line is I have to play better. I'm not going to make any excuses. I can't sugarcoat it. Once you get to this level, you know you're a good athlete, but you're expected to perform at a certain level."

 

Tom Coughlin said he's not going to switch Kiwanuka back to defensive end while Umenyiora is down. That's probably a good idea considering the Giants are expecting Umenyiora back in a couple weeks and this was just the first week of Kiwanuka at the linebacker position.

 

Madison said Kiwanuka is an intelligent player and should pick up the new position soon.

 

"He has to understand that when you move from one position to the next, people are going to game plan (against) you," Madison said. "Now he needs to remember the things that happened to him because they're going to happen again. This is a copycat league. That's what football is - learning, getting better and storing those plays in your head. Am I worried about him? No. I think he's going to get better."

 

The Giants better hope their defense gets better - and quick. They believe they have everything they need in the locker room to make the repairs. We'll see against Green Bay.

 

"There's nothing about tweaking," Pierce said. "We're going to make up our minds to play better. You get all 11 guys with a winning performance, we should come out on top."

 

tsmith@nydailynews.com

[jerseygiantfan]

Eli Manning passes test, may play against Packers

 

BY RALPH VACCHIANO

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

 

Saturday, September 15th 2007, 4:00 AM

 

 

 

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Eli Manning returned to practice yesterday and took a huge step toward starting tomorrow's game.

 

In fact, a lot of people in the Giants organization will be surprised if he doesn't.

 

Multiple team sources and several of Manning's teammates said yesterday they expect him to start in the Giants' home opener against the Green Bay Packers, although the final decision belongs to Tom Coughlin and it likely won't be made until just before kickoff. It also will depend on how Manning's injured right shoulder feels tomorrow morning.

 

Yesterday, however, all the news about the quarterback seemed to be good.

 

Despite still nursing a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder, Manning took about half of the snaps in the Giants' final practice of the week - his first practice action since he got hurt in Dallas on Sunday night. And he looked so good and seemed to be so pain-free that his teammates all sounded confident he will be ready to go.

 

"I'll be very surprised if he doesn't play, knowing the way he feels," said running back Brandon Jacobs, who'll miss the game with a sprained knee. "I ask him every day how he's feeling and he gives me a positive answer, saying he feels good. That makes me feel good."

 

It made everyone in the locker room feel good to see the 26-year-old Manning making throw after throw yesterday. He made 14 throws, ranging from 10 to 30 yards in the half hour that was open to the media. The deeper passes were lobs and several seemed to wobble, but on the shorter throws his passes seemed to have plenty of zip.

 

After the media left, Manning apparently did much more. Coughlin said Manning "seemed to throw the ball pretty good."

 

Backup Jared Lorenzen said he watched Manning make every throw that a quarterback is expected to make in a game.

 

"He was throwing fade routes, some nice hard slant routes," Lorenzen said. "He can make all the throws. That's what I'm seeing out there."

 

"He looked fine," added receiver Sinorice Moss. "Normal motion and everything. He wasn't complaining about anything."

 

Even though the return of Manning would mean Lorenzen, the would-be starter, would be forced back to the sideline, Lorenzen said it was "awesome" to see Manning back at practice. On Wednesday and Thursday, Lorenzen took all the first-team snaps while Manning did some soft tossing on the side.

 

"If he can play, he's going to do it," Lorenzen said. "He took probably about half of (the snaps) in every session that we had. He threw some good balls. I think he can go out there and play."

 

Coughlin said the key is, "How is he going to be in the morning, and then what are the medical people going to say?" For the moment, the only one who really knows how he feels is Manning, and he wasn't available to talk to reporters yesterday. His final status will depend on how his shoulder responds to yesterday's work today.

 

If Manning is relatively pain-free when the Giants hold their walk-through at the stadium today and doesn't have a setback before game time tomorrow, the Giants are ready to let him start. How much he plays would depend on how his shoulder feels and if he's able to avoid taking any direct hits.

 

Just the fact there's a chance he's going to play is impressive since, according to once source close to Manning, he initially was told that his second-degree sprain came with a normal recovery time of three to four weeks. He was also told he could play much sooner if his shoulder felt OK and his pain tolerance was high.

 

Still, many in the Giants' organization were bracing for the possibility that he'd have to miss one game, at least. Yesterday, he seemed to put those fears to rest by looking better in practice than anyone thought he would.

 

"I think he makes great throws anyway," Lorenzen said. "But to have that (injury) happen and for him to be out there on a Friday making plays, that's incredible."

 

ANOTHER FAST HEALER: DE Osi Umenyiora (knee) returned to practice way ahead of schedule yesterday, and even though he said he did only "a little bit," he is listed as "probable" for tomorrow's game. ... CB Sam Madison (hamstring) is listed as questionable, but said he's ready to go. He'll likely start in place of R.W. McQuarters, who will probably be shifted back to nickel back. ... K Lawrence Tynes (calf) is questionable, but said he'll play.... Rookie LB Zak DeOssie (back) did not practice and is questionable, t

[jerseygiantfan]

Giants collapse in all phases in blow out against Packers

 

BY RALPH VACCHIANO

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

 

Monday, September 17th 2007, 4:00 AM

 

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Eli Manning did all he could, turning in a gutty performance just one week after spraining his right shoulder. It was just too much to ask him to have to shoulder the defense, too.

 

For the second week in a row, it was the defense that doomed the Giants, as they dropped their home opener to the Green Bay Packers yesterday, 35-13. While getting off to their first 0-2 start since 1996, the Giants have given up 846 total yards, 621 passing yards and a ridiculous 80 points.

 

The Giants hadn't given up that many points in back to back games since 1973. And to find a worst defensive performance in the first two games of the season, you have to go all the way back to 1966.

 

"I think we're a better football team than we showed," Tom Coughlin said. "Obviously I don't have any real grounds for saying that."

 

Well, there was the solid performance by Manning, who completed 16 of 29 passes for 211 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Beyond that, Coughlin was right: There wasn't much evidence that the Giants (0-2) are a better team.

 

The defense was, once again, defenseless. The pass rush was nonexistent. And while the coverage wasn't necessarily "baffling," as Coughlin called it last week, it wasn't exactly tight as eight different receivers caught passes from Brett Favre.

 

Favre (29-for-38, 286 yards, three touchdowns, one interception) opened the second half by completing 14 consecutive passes, completing the streak with a three-yard touchdown pass to tight end David Lee in the fourth quarter that gave Green Bay (2-0) a 21-13 lead. Favre added one more touchdown pass on his way to his NFL record 149th career victory, as the Packers used 21 fourth-quarter points to pull away.

 

The Giants, as usual, helped - and not just with a porous defense. After Favre's first touchdown pass, Manning drove to the Packers' 8, but they had to settle for a field goal after a killer 15-yard taunting penalty was called on mild-mannered receiver Amani Toomer. A similar thing happened to them in the first half when Jeremy Shockey short-circuited a drive by drawing a five-yard delay of game penalty for spiking the ball after a first-down catch near the Packers 15.

 

The Giants had to settle for one of Lawrence Tynes' two field goals (48, 32) there, too.

 

"We know better than that," Manning said. "These guys know better than that."

 

"We made some stupid penalties," Coughlin added. "We have no excuses. There's no explanation for it. We gave ourselves some opportunities and that took it away. We became our own worst enemy, at least for a while."

 

There were other gaffes too, like when rookie Ahmad Bradshaw fumbled a kickoff return, setting up Favre's final touchdown pass, a 10-yard strike to Donald Driver. But their real worst enemy has been new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's defense, which is supposed to be aggressive and attacking but so far has been neither. In two games, the Giants have two sacks - both by Justin Tuck. And like Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo one week ago, Favre was hardly hit or hurried.

 

That was most evident in the second half when he broke open a game with 14 consecutive completions, including a two-yard touchdown pass to Bubba Franks and the fourth-quarter one to Lee. In the second half, Favre was 18-for-21 for three touchdowns and 147 yards.

 

"It's just frustrating," said defensive tackle Barry Cofield. "He's in a rhythm and he's doing what he wants. That's about as bad as you can imagine."

 

And with not much of a pass rush, that left the Giants' secondary exposed for Driver (eight catches, 73 yards) and James Jones (4-75).

 

"Obviously there was some elusiveness that we didn't necessarily contend with," Coughlin said.

 

Manning deserved much better. Shaking off an injury that he finally admitted doctors had told him would likely keep him out "a few games," he made some impressive throws. His touchdown came on a two-play, 66-yard series that featured one 40-yard pass to Toomer and a 26-yard touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress that he somehow fit in just over the hands of Packers safety Atari Bigby.

 

On the next drive, right after Shockey's spiking penalty, Manning scrambled right and made a throw across his body and back across the field that Shockey dropped inside the 5. In the third quarter, he just missed hitting Toomer in the end zone from 21 yards away on a pass that was just a bit too high.

 

In the end, though, it only amounted to 13 points, which wasn't enough for a defense that is beginning to look like one of the worst in the league.

 

"We're not going to get any worse," vowed defensive end Osi Umenyiora. "I'm not saying I'll guarantee we're going to win the game (Sunday in Washington), but I guarantee we'll play better."

 

"We've got to fix it and fix it fast," added cornerback Sam Madison. "If not we're going to just keep running down hill."

 

[jerseygiantfan]

Eli Manning guts through injury, but fails to lift Giants to win

 

Monday, September 17th 2007, 4:00 AM

 

 

 

 

He started, as we figured he would. Eli Manning is a tough kid behind the goofy, amiable facade. The Giants' team doctor told him last Monday he'd need a couple of weeks for the injured shoulder, but Manning never really listened.

 

"It doesn't mean I have to believe it," Manning said. "If I feel I can play, I'm going to play."

 

Manning threw in practice on Friday and felt fine by yesterday morning, warming up on the field with Jared Lorenzen before the game. He would give it a go. Then Eli came out against the Packers, feeling and looking very much like Eli - which is to say he played well enough to win or lose, depending on his teammates.

 

He lost badly, 35-13. And this is going to be a problem for Manning, with or without a sore shoulder, because his teammates are not good at all and the losses this season will be embarrassing and numerous. His defense can't stop the pass. There's no rush. His running backs and receivers can't break big plays. Key skill players lose their heads and commit stupid penalties in the red zone.

 

So yesterday we saw the difference between one quarterback who is serviceable, who suffers along with his team's obvious shortcomings, and another one who can lift an entire mediocre team to victory. We saw that Manning still has a long, long way to go before he becomes Brett Favre, who picked apart the Giants by himself while completing 29 of 38 passes for 286 yards and three touchdowns.

 

"Brett's a great player, but I thought we had some opportunities," Manning said. "We had some penalties, we had some mistakes. That's something we've got to fix."

 

It was unfortunate for Manning that this game would be scheduled against Favre, for it otherwise might have been a day to celebrate the Giant quarterback's durability and spirit. Manning showed us something this week, shaking off the sprained shoulder while never really doubting he would be ready to play a key home game.

 

But even on the iron-man front, he was badly outgunned by Favre. The Packers' quarterback played in his 239th straight game, his 259th straight including playoffs. How would it look for Manning to sit out the game with a mere sprained shoulder, considering all the problems suffered with great dignity by Favre over the years?

 

Manning played on, finishing at 16-for-29, with one touchdown and one ugly interception on a botched screen. He said his shoulder was fine, that he could air it out whenever he wanted. He missed Amani Toomer on one possible touchdown in the back of the end zone, and couldn't quite get enough zip on another ball to Jeremy Shockey, throwing against his body on the run.

 

Basically, it was a typical Eli performance. He moved the team, failing to make big plays or score enough points. Shockey, characteristically, and Toomer, uncharacteristically, sabotaged two drives with post-play temper tantrums.

 

That's not going to change for Manning either, at least where Shockey is concerned.

 

"I've always played like that," Shockey said. "Other people do it and they don't call it."

 

Everything looked all too familiar, a throwback to the end of last season: The unimaginative play calling ... the absence of a no-huddle offense ... the commitment to small ball.

 

If Tom Coughlin has gambled with defensive changes, he seems unwilling to try much on offense. He still views Manning as a game manager, not a leader. This, unfortunately, may be an accurate assessment. It sure looked that way again yesterday, when Manning was pedestrian while Favre completed 14 straight passes to start the second half and break the game open.

 

Which comes first - the boring quarterback or the boring game plan? This lack of imagination and risk-taking may be excused to a degree by the injuries to Manning and to Brandon Jacobs, but it did the Giants no good at all. In the end, there was no wiggle room for errors, and the Giants made plenty of them.

 

"I think we're a better football team than we've shown," Coughlin said, "obviously, I don't have any real grounds for saying that."

 

The Giants are 0-2 and 2-9 over their last 11 games, including the playoff loss in Philly. We all know where this is going. Soon, Coughlin's job status will make all the big headlines around this club and Manning will slip back into his usual, quiet status of neither-here-nor-there.

 

And that's not going to be good enough, on a lousy team.

 

fjbondy@netscape.net

 

[jerseygiantfan]

Tom Coughlin's job may soon be in doubt with slow start

 

 

 

 

This year's Tom Coughlin Watch can officially start now that the Giants are off to their first 0-2 start in more than 10 years and the defense has given up the second-most points in the first two games of the season in their 83-year history. It's only mid-September, but the playoffs aren't looking so good.

 

This is not the way for Coughlin to go about saving his job. It's never good when two games into the season the coach is already saying everybody is "embarrassed."

 

He was handed a mandate by ownership when he was given a modest one-year extension in January to eliminate the chaos that ruined last season and get the Giants back into the playoffs. He has changed his ways, has lightened up, become more player-friendly and has yet to explode, which may be the most astounding development of the young season.

 

But the Giants have done the one thing the coach didn't need: They are off to a dreadful start. Bill Parcells always said until you win the first one you don't know if you ever will. That's how the Giants look right now.

 

They finish up the first month with division games against the Redskins and Eagles. This could get really ugly before October. They will be a desperate team next week in Washington.

 

"I think we are a better football team that we have shown," Coughlin said after the 35-13 loss to the Packers. "Obviously, I don't have any real grounds for saying that. It is just a belief. I do believe we are all in it together and I do believe that we are all embarrassed."

 

They are 0-2 for the first time since 1996. Eighty points in two games - the most the Giants have allowed in more than 40 years. At this pace, the Giants would give up 640 points, shattering the NFL record.

 

"We are not going to get any worse. That I can promise," defensive end Osi Umenyiora said. "We're only going to get better. There's not going to be a guarantee we are going to win the game, but I guarantee we're going to play better."

 

After hitting the halfway point last season at 6-2, the Giants have lost nine of their last 11 games, including being eliminated by the Eagles in the wild-card game. Last week, they set a franchise record for the opening game by giving up 45 points to the Cowboys. And yesterday, they gave up five touchdowns to the Packers, who did not score an offensive touchdown when they beat the Eagles last week. The Giants trailed 14-13 after three quarters and were outscored 21-0 in the fourth.

 

"I've seen worse," Michael Strahan said. "Trust me, I've seen worse. No hope is lost here. We are professionals. We take our whipping like a man. But one thing you can't do - you never quit."

 

Coughlin had to fire defensive coordinator Tim Lewis after last season. The players didn't believe in him and didn't want to play for him. But with Coughlin in a must-win situation, all three of his coordinators have changed - offensive coordinator John Hufnagel was fired after 15 games last year and special teams coordinator Mike Sweatman retired.

 

He promoted from within to replace Hufnagel and Sweatman but he took a risk in hiring Eagles linebackers coach Steve Spagnuolo, who brought with him the pressure approach of Philly defensive coordinator Jim Johnson. The problem is by the time the Giants adjust to the new scheme and acquire the personnel to properly run it - cornerbacks who can cover - Coughlin may be out of a job.

 

Brett Favre handed Strahan the sack six years ago that set the single-season NFL record. But Strahan never came close enough to Favre yesterday for the Packers quarterback to take a dive so he could set the Giants career sack record. In two games, Strahan has two solo tackles, two assists and no sacks. He hasn't been in the same area code as Tony Romo and Favre. He's playing like he didn't show up for training camp. By the time he is in mid-season form, it could be mid-season.

 

Only in 1966, when the Giants finished 1-12-1, have they given up more points (86) over the first two games. It's the first time they have given up at least 35 points in back-to-back games since 1973. "What are we going to do?" Umenyiora said. "We can't kill ourselves or nothing."

 

They made the old Favre look like the Favre of 10 years ago. He hit his first 14 passes of the second half. He was letting it go off quick drops and the Giants corners couldn't handle it. He rarely threw long because it wasn't necessary. In the process of setting the NFL record with his 149th career victory, Favre completely exposed the Giants defense.

 

Injuries and a lack of discipline have been impossible for Coughlin to fix in his four years with the Giants. Yesterday, a mild celebration by Jeremy Shockey, when it appeared he just punched the ball out of his own hands after making a catch, and Amani Toomer retaliating after he felt Packers linebacker Nick Barnett was holding him down, resulted in penalties and effectively ended potential touchdown drives when the game was still close.

 

Two veterans making rookie mistakes. A defense that has already given up 846 yards. Another loss. And one step closer to Coughlin getting fired at the end of the year.

 

"The key thing is don't panic," Strahan said. "You can't feel like it's all lost. We got a long season to go. We got 14 more of these things."

 

So, is that good news?

 

gmyers@nydailynews.com

 

[jerseygiantfan]

Giants defense has been terrible first two games

 

BY RALPH VACCHIANO

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

 

Tuesday, September 18th 2007, 4:00 AM

 

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While viewing the horror film that was the Giants' defensive game tape yesterday morning, Tom Coughlin didn't exactly leave the room screaming. He watched intently as his defense got ripped to shreds again, and somehow managed to find a few a positive things.

 

"Well, the first- and second-down run defense obviously got better during the game," said the straight-faced coach, one day after the Giants fell to 0-2 with a 35-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers. "They ran to our right side and we did do a better job there as the game progressed. I think there's continuous technical advancement in trying to get better in those areas."

 

In all the other areas - including most of the ones that count - the Giants' defense is a complete mess. It ranks 29th in the NFL, including 31st against the pass. No team has given up more than the 80 points the Giants have surrendered in the first two weeks of the season. In fact, no Giants team has given up that many points in back-to-back games in 34 years.

 

Unfortunately for the Giants, the optimism that somehow still exists in the locker room is covered by this reality: They believe they can turn their sinking defensive ship around, but nobody is quite sure how.

 

"Really and truly, I don't know what it is," said cornerback Corey Webster. "If anybody knew, we'd already have it corrected."

 

Webster may not have any answers, but at least he was in the locker room yesterday to acknowledge the defense has a problem. Most prominent defensive players, including Michael Strahan, Osi Umenyiora and Antonio Pierce, bolted the locker room without speaking to reporters, though Strahan spoke briefly in the parking lot. Pierce, usually one of the more accessible Giants, didn't even speak after Sunday's game, when he led the Giants with 10 tackles.

 

Of course, those who did speak weren't able to say much. Despite all the evidence to the contrary - the 846 yards they've given up, the seven touchdown passes they've allowed, the 35 fourth-quarter points they've surrendered, and the 71% completion rate from two opposing quarterbacks who have been sacked only twice - the Giants still insist their defense won't be that hard to fix.

 

"I feel like we're inches away from turning this thing around," safety Gibril Wilson said. "The guys have a lot of confidence and a lot of pride in that room. I mean, we know. We look each other in the mirror every day and we know we're not getting it done."

 

"I think its way better than what we've shown," added linebacker Kawika Mitchell. "But you have to have the effort, you have to have the attitude out there, and you have to be consistent with it. I think we're capable of way better than what we've put out there."

 

If that's true, the Giants better prove it quickly, because this season is in danger of getting out of hand before it starts, and there really isn't much Coughlin can do to change things. He answered "maybe" when asked if he planned any personnel changes on defense this week, but aside from possibly starting rookie corner Aaron Ross over Webster or linebacker Gerris Wilkinson over Mitchell, he doesn't have many options.

 

"The players that we have are the players that we have," Coughlin said.

 

Those players have already put the Giants two games back in the division race and face two more NFC East opponents, Washington and Philadelphia, in the next two weeks. And since the NFL went to a 16-game schedule in 1978, only 26 teams that started 0-2 have rebounded to make the playoffs.

 

The Giants have started 0-2 in 17 previous seasons. Only five times did they rebound to finish with a winning record. And only once were they able to rebound in time to make the playoffs - and that was way back in 1934.

 

Of course, that '34 defense didn't give up 40 points per game.

 

"There are a lot of areas that we can improve upon," Coughlin admitted. "You know, you'd think that some of the things you'd have ironed out for Week 2. We didn't get that part of it done. There's obvious reason for that. But still they're facts."

 

[jerseygiantfan]

From ESPN

 

Packers 35, Giants 13

 

Before the season started, I wondered if Tom Coughlin would make it to December. Now I wonder if he'll make it to October. And if so, why? The G-Men have allowed 80 points in two double-digit losses and are clearly heading in the wrong direction. As part of his irrational martinet act, Coughlin likes to say "if you're on time, you're late." Well, it's time to fire him, which, by his logic, means it should have happened at the end of last year.

[jerseygiantfan]

New defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo not to blame, yet

 

BY RALPH VACCHIANO

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

 

Wednesday, September 19th 2007, 4:00 AM

 

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Steve Spagnuolo was the cult hero of the summer, as far as the Giants were concerned. He was the savior of the defense, and its biggest reason for hope.

 

The little defensive coordinator with the fiery attitude was going to bring some much-needed aggressiveness to a beleaguered unit. He was going to revive the lost-cause secondary by letting it play press coverage and the man-to-man scheme the players prefer.

 

Even better, the players said, was the fact that Tim Lewis was gone. They had complained that their old defensive coordinator ruined their confidence and made them look weak with his read-and-react zone coverage. With Lewis fired and Spagnuolo imported from Philadelphia, they promised, everything would change.

 

So, as one NFL assistant coach said yesterday, "Who are they going to blame now?"

 

Lewis, whom Tom Coughlin fired at the end of last season and who is now the Carolina Panthers secondary coach, was a convenient scapegoat for the Giants last season. His defenses regressed in his three years as coordinator, particularly against the pass.

 

So far, though, Spagnuolo - who learned at the feet of master blitzer Jim Johnson in Philadelphia - hasn't done much better. It's only two games, but the Giants' defense ranks 29th out of 32 teams, giving up 423 yards per game. Big Blue has also given up 80 points, its worst two-game total in 24 years.

 

Even worse, the defense isn't doing what everyone was led to believe it would. The blitzing is ineffective, so there's no pressure on the passer. The corners don't appear to be playing much press coverage, and too often seem to be in an ineffective zone.

 

The lack of a pass rush certainly is the worst part. It has not helped that Osi Umenyiora missed most of the first game with a knee injury that probably slowed him in Game2, too. And Michael Strahan, fresh off a 38-day holdout, has looked like a shell of his former self.

 

More troubling has been the ineffectiveness of Spagnuolo's blitzes, on which his players have shown a startling inability to get to the quarterback. Against one fairly mobile quarterback - Tony Romo - and another with a lightning-quick release - Brett Favre - the Giants have generated only two sacks, both by defensive end Justin Tuck.

 

From there, it's been a bad chain reaction. Without a pass rush, the secondary has been exposed. If the corners played press coverage, the Packers receivers didn't notice it as they said they were barely touched coming off the line. The linebackers, which include two playing a new position (former defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka on the strong side, and former middle linebacker Kawika Mitchell on the weak side) have been unable to cover tight ends.

 

This has nothing to do with adjusting to a new system because, as Coughlin says, the Giants have run a "pretty basic" defense so far.

 

The only logical conclusion is that it has to be the players, since it is mostly the same group that Lewis had last year - with the exception of those two linebackers and recently cut safety Will Demps.

 

The Giants still have 14 games to prove that theory wrong. For now, however, Lewis - whose secondary was shredded by the Matt Schaub-led Texans last Sunday - has to be smiling about the fact that he is no longer responsible for the mess he left behind.

 

Two-timers: The Giants have started 0-2 in 17 previous seasons, and finished with a losing record 12 times. The last time they began 0-2 and finished with a winning record was in 1972 when they ended up 8-6. ... A Coughlin team has not been 0-2 since his Jacksonville Jaguars started 0-4 in their first season, 1995, when they went 4-12.

 

[jerseygiantfan]

5. Bad Apple: Jets, Giants to go winless in 2007

 

New York Giants

 

AP Photo/Bill Kostroun

Here's what you have to know about going winless in the NFL: It's probably more difficult than winning every game. The Jets still play in the AFC East and the last time I checked, Buffalo and Miami hadn't won any games, either. The Giants are a different story. Their defense is lousy but they'll improve once Michael Strahan works himself into good enough shape to help their feeble pass rush. The bottom line is that neither team will enjoy the rest of the season. But they also won't be this miserable for 15 more weeks. -- Jeffri Chadiha

 

No team has ever gone 0-16 in a season, so it's hard to fathom a city going 0-32, even as poorly as the Jets and Giants are playing (especially on defense) right now. New York, New York, with teams so bad they made every fan sad? Well, that could happen. But a couple of goose eggs? Nope. It's just about as difficult to lose every game in the NFL as it is to win 'em all. Now that the Jets can get back to football, and quit worrying about someone deciphering the signs from their defensive staff, they'll grab a win this week against the Dolphins. Can't say the same for the Giants, though, who could go into October without a victory.

-- Len Pasquarelli

[jerseygiantfan]

5. Bad Apple: Jets, Giants to go winless in 2007

 

New York Giants

 

AP Photo/Bill Kostroun

Here's what you have to know about going winless in the NFL: It's probably more difficult than winning every game. The Jets still play in the AFC East and the last time I checked, Buffalo and Miami hadn't won any games, either. The Giants are a different story. Their defense is lousy but they'll improve once Michael Strahan works himself into good enough shape to help their feeble pass rush. The bottom line is that neither team will enjoy the rest of the season. But they also won't be this miserable for 15 more weeks. -- Jeffri Chadiha

 

No team has ever gone 0-16 in a season, so it's hard to fathom a city going 0-32, even as poorly as the Jets and Giants are playing (especially on defense) right now. New York, New York, with teams so bad they made every fan sad? Well, that could happen. But a couple of goose eggs? Nope. It's just about as difficult to lose every game in the NFL as it is to win 'em all. Now that the Jets can get back to football, and quit worrying about someone deciphering the signs from their defensive staff, they'll grab a win this week against the Dolphins. Can't say the same for the Giants, though, who could go into October without a victory.

-- Len Pasquarelli