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 at 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 who is at least 360 pounds, is a nine-year veteran who played last season for the Packers. He left without an offer and likely will 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 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 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 fared better this time around, as Larry Johnson rushed for only eight yards on his four rushing attempts. Robbins last night said he was unaware the Giants were exploring options outside the organization.
“Regardless, I got to keep competing and keep fighting,” Robbins said.
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Several youngsters on defense made impressions. First-round pick Mathias Kiwanuka, coming off an impressive first game, was back at it, sacking and forcing a fumble by Damon Huard not long after arriving on the field. Later in the second quarter, DE Justin Tuck dropped Casey Printers for a sack. LB Chase Blackburn had seven tackles.
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RB Brandon Jacobs (9 carries, 40 yards, 1 TD) ran harder than he did in the preseason opener . . . Rookie S Charles Peprah failed to hold onto a would-be interception, instead deflecting the ball in the air and allowing TE Kris Wilson to make the catch . . . 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.
