GIANT NOTES
William Joseph and Fred Robbins started again last night at the two defensive tackle spots for the Giants, knowing they needed to greatly improve on last week’s poor showing in Baltimore. Tom Coughlin made it clear he was not satisfied with the play of the interior of the defensive line in last week’s 17-16 victory over the Ravens, and demanded a better performance against the Chiefs.
No doubt, Coughlin wanted to look long and hard not only at Joseph and especially Robbins at nose tackle, but also rookie Barry Cofield and Damane Duckett. Showing just how eager the Giants are for answers at nose tackle, they brought in veteran Grady Jackson yesterday for a visit. Jackson, an unsigned free agent, is a nine-year veteran who last season played for the Packers. He left without an offer and will likely make other visits. “I’ve got four teams lined up,” said Jackson’s agent, Angelo Wright.
And the Giants have other nose tackles lined up. Today, Brentson Buckner, 34, arrives in Albany to take a physical and meet with the Giants coaches.
Buckner, who started the past seven years for the Panthers, played for Giants defensive coordinator Tim Lewis when the two were in Pittsburgh. Unlike the massive (360 pounds or more) Jackson, Buckner is about 305 and was once a strong run-stuffer in Carolina.
“He’s in pretty good shape … I think they’re going to be impressed,” said Buckner’s agent, George Mavrikes. “A lot of teams like to see their young talent and then they realize the guys they have, once they put the pads on, aren’t the answer.”
Robbins and Joseph fared better this time around against the Chiefs, as Larry Johnson rushed for only eight yards on his four rushing attempts in the Giants’ 17-0 victory last night.
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TE Visanthe Shiancoe had three receptions for 18 yards in the first half. . . . Rookie S Charles Peprah failed to hold on to a would-be interception, instead deflecting the ball in the air and allowing Chiefs TE Kris Wilson to make the catch.
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RB Brandon Jacobs fought for extra yards on a second-quarter carry and was called for a fumble when he lost the ball. Coughlin, on the urging of Jeremy Shockey, challenged the ruling on the field and the replay reversed the call. . . . CB Curtis Deloatch made a strong special teams tackle in punt coverage, pinning the Chiefs back on their own 9-yard line when he tackled dangerous return man Dante Hall for no gain.
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Held out with injuries were LB Carlos Emmons, CB Sam Madison, WR Sinorice Moss, G Rich Seubert, WR David Tyree, RB Derrick Ward and S Jason Bell. . . . CB R.W. McQuarters started in place of Madison. Brandon Short started for Emmons.
