EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin is embracing the fact that his team has earned the top seed in the NFC playoffs and will receive a first-round bye this weekend.
“I think this is something we’re going to take full advantage of,” Coughlin said Monday, one day after the Giants (12-4) ended the regular season with a 20-19 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
“It’s very timely for us, because we’re going to be able to get some of our people rested,” he said. “We haven’t had time off in a while, so this gives our guys a chance to get better.”
The Giants had their bye in Week 4, on Sept. 28
“We’ve also had some competitive games in recent weeks, so this gives us a chance to recover a little,” Coughlin added.
Coughlin said the Giants will practice twice this week, but will approach it as if there were a game to be played on Sunday, instead of Jan. 11. The players are aware that there has to be improvement, Coughlin said, after losing three of four games in December.
“We’re stressing that. So it’s a combination of a work week and studying and analyzing ourselves. We will go full speed in practice and concentrate on getting better as a team. We’re going to take the things we haven’t been doing well and refine them.
“We have to make sure we come out of this week with something. It can be beneficial to us and we have to take advantage of that.”
Coughlin said the Giants came out of Sunday’s loss to Minnesota with few injuries, except for one big one: the broken ankle suffered by cornerback Sam Madison, who is more than likely done for the season.
“We’re talking about too short of a time to recover and come back, so unfortunately he’s finished and his season has come to an end,” Coughlin said. “But any time you have a guy who has been such a factor and has such a great attitude, especially with offering advice to the younger guys, it’s a great thing to have around.”
The other Giants injured Sunday were safety Michael Johnson, who had a quad contusion, and backup tight end Mike Matthews, who suffered a sprained ankle. Coughlin expected both players to be fine.
The coach also expects halfback Brandon Jacobs, the team’s leading rusher, to be ready to play. Jacobs was inactive Sunday, nursing an injured knee.
“It’s leaning towards Brandon being able to practice later this week,” Coughlin said. “He’s making progress and we’re counting on him to play. The rest is going to do him good, but I’d like to see him with some solid practice time this week.”
Cornerback Aaron Ross, who sat out Sunday with a concussion, will also be fine to play, Coughlin said.
Quarterback Eli Manning also applauded the idea of having the week off.
“It’s great for our team because it’s going to give the guys a physical and mental break,” Manning said. “Nothing from this point comes easy. It’s a major advantage to have the bye. It’s a great week to look at yourself as a team, tweak some things and improve on things.”
Notes: Coughlin didn’t want to talk about the firing of Jets head
coach Eric Mangini. “I’m very saddened by it,” Coughlin said. “I feel very bad for Eric and his family and that’s all I’m going to say.” … Coughlin also didn’t want to speculate on the Giants’ possible playoff opponent. The Giants have played both Philadelphia and Minnesota and have scouted Atlanta, the other team they could face. “It’s so early to start to speculate,” Coughlin said. “We’ll just play the waiting game. There’s no sense doing anything other than that.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
