After reviewing tape of the 24-10 preseason loss to the Ravens, Tom Coughlin today said “I’m not going to change my tune from being disappointed” and stressed “overall I did not see the kind of execution I was anticipating.” While assessing the effort of his team, Coughlin said “I expected more” but did see examples of satisfactory effort being made.
“I just think yeah, there was effort,” Coughlin said. “A lot of young guys who had the opportunity of a lifetime, I’m not going to say it wasn’t there. I am going to say it can be better.”
Other tidbits:
Coughlin said he’s continuing to search for answers in the kickoff and punt return game and he did like the way Tim Brown brought back two punts for an average of 13 yards. Coughlin also stated the front office will take a look at the first round of cuts around the league. “We’re continuing to try to resolve that issue and try lots of people and keep an open mind on what’s going on in the league and see what’s available,” he said.
Rookie punter Matt Dodge was more consistent than he’s been. “They certainly weren’t all great punts but the work is helping him tremendously,” Coughlin said. “The more he plays the more consistent he gets.” It appears as if the Giants will stick with him for now.
Coughlin said he’s “never been tempted” to sit his starters in the final preseason game and seems determined to go with his usual strategy of playing his starters no more than one quarter Thursday night against the Patriots. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with playing your starters for a quarter or some length of time,” he said. “I’ve never thought of that as something that was detrimental.” Coughlin likes the fact that after this last preseason game his team has 10 days before the regular-season opener, allowing for extra rest.
Jim Sorgi tore his right shoulder capsule in the first preseason game and he said last week he was doing everything he could to get on the field this week, as he feared for his roster spot. Coughlin said Sorgi has not been cleared to practice tomorrow.
Rookie LB Adrian Tracy is expected to be out 2-3 weeks with a dislocated shoulder. He probably is destined for the practice squad.
LB Gerris Wilkinson is getting tests for a possible groin strain.
Defensive linemen Chris Canty and Jason Pierre-Paul both sat out the game in Baltimore with strained groins. Coughlin said both should work tomorrow on a limited basis and are improving.
LB Keith Bulluck and S Kenny Phillips, both coming off knee surgery, got more extensive work and both came out of the game with no physical setbacks. “They were rusty but they’re starting to get a little bit more in the groove,” Coughlin said.
Bulluck after playing only six plays in his preseason debut last week estimated he was on the field for 30 in Baltimore. He didn’t make a big impact (two tackles) as he was used for the first time with the Giants as an outside linebacker.
“It was actually a good test as far as my endurance,” said Bulluck, coming off reconstructive knee surgery last December. “As far as the calls coming in quick and me having to line up and get people lined up it was a great test for me and I think it was a great test and an eye-opener for our defense.”
WR Sinorice Moss will get a second opinion today of the problem in his groin/pelvic area.
Coughlin said he’s seeing “power, seeing strength and I saw him finish” when asked about Justin Tuck, who had two sacks vs. the Ravens.
Tuck showed some of the burst that was missing last season when he injured his shoulder in week two and dealt with it the last 14 games. He had two sacks vs. the Ravens. “I have two shoulders this year,” Tuck explained. “You ever see a duck fly with one wing? That’s kind of what it was last year.”
Rookie WR Victor Cruz continues to earn his way onto the roster, continuing to make plays to show that his first-game eruption (three touchdown catches vs. the Jets) wasn’t a one-shot deal. Cruz in the second half had four receptions for 76 yards, including a lob from Rhett Bomar for 35 yards and a 1-yard scoring flip from Bomar in the fourth quarter.
Today was a day off for the players but Shawn Andrews said he planned to meet with his coaches to further advance his knowledge of the offense. “Try to get this thing so i could play and not think,” said Andrews, the former Eagles offensive lineman who signed on the last day of training camp. Andrews played well in Baltimore in his first game since back surgery in December and continues to stress the difference between the Giants and Eagles. “Even though I’m at my new home with the G-Men, I have to say it feels like much more of a family atmosphere than what I’m used to in the past,” he said. “It feels like home, and I’m not just saying that just to say the right thing, it really does.”
