Giants News

No 'snowball' chance in this Chargers visit
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November 7
New York Post
 
"The Chargers haven't played in Giants Stadium in nearly 14 years, but their last trip was a memorable -- and ugly -- one. San Diego beat the Giants, 27-17, in the regular-season finale on Dec. 23, 1995, but the outcome was nearly overshadowed by the behavior of the Giants' fans in what came to be known as the "Snowball Game." Chargers players and personnel were pelted with snow and ice from the stands throughout the game. "It was a miserable end to a miserable season," said Pat Hanlon, the Giants vice president of communications, who was the director of public relations at the time. "It was an absolute nightmare." The lowlight came when San Diego equipment manager Sid Brooks was knocked ..."
Giants bench Brown; LB Boley could start
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November 7
New York Post
 
"The Giants have lost three straight heading into tomorrow's game against the Chargers, surrendering at least 40 points in two of them, so something was bound to change on defense. That turned out to be good news for safety Aaron Rouse, who will replace C.C. Brown in the starting lineup. The Giants will find out soon whether it's good news for them. Brown seemed to agree with the decision. "There's nothing for me to get mad about," Brown said after practice yesterday. "I can't try to blame anybody but myself. It's my own fault." Brown was burned on several of the long passes during the Giants' recent slide. That leaves Rouse, who was signed after Kenny Phillips was lost for the season ..."
NY Giants' safety Aaron Rouse working with first-team defense ahead of C.C. Brown
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November 6
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Giants safety C.C. Brown has started since Kenny Phillips went on IR, but he was not working with the first team during Friday's practice. C.C. Brown told Jenny Vrentas Thursday it was his fault DeSean Jackson got wide open for a 54-yard TD. The Giants' coaches apparently agreed. Aaron Rouse, not Brown, was working with the first-team defense during the portion of Friday's practice that was open to the media. That's a pretty good indication Rouse has supplanted Brown as the Giants' starting safety. The coaches have apparently seen enough of Brown's mental and physical mistakes, which began with several miscues against the Saints and continued through Sunday's loss to the Eagles when he ..."
Boley and Canty set to return
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November 6
New York Post
 
"The battered and beaten Giants defense plans to welcome back two key performers this week, as expectations are that linebacker Michael Boley and defensive tackle Chris Canty will be on the field Sunday against the Chargers. Both injured players were able to practice for most or all of yesterday's practice. "I think this is a big step forward," said Boley, who was in for half the snaps. "In my mind, seeing how things go throughout the week, I could play, it's possible." Boley -- whose scientific name might as well be linebackus interruptus -- has led a now-you-see-him, now-you-don't Giants existence. He missed all of training camp after undergoing hip surgery and then had to sit out the ..."
Ways for Big Blue to turn season around
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November 6
New York Post
 columnist Steve Serby
"As the Yankees ride down the Canyon of Heroes today, the Giants hunker down inside their bunker and try to right a season gone terribly wrong and teetering ominously on a tightrope. New York's unrequited love belonged to them only two years ago, and they yearn for another exhilarating ride into the city's heart and soul, and do not care to wait nine years as the Yankees did. Even as we celebrate the Yankees today, we fix the Giants: YOU CAN'T BE ELI-TE IF YOU'RE NOT EFFICIENT: We're talking to you, Eli Manning. Just because you have single coverage deep down the sideline doesn't mean you should automatically take the shot EVERY TIME. If you need four yards for the first down, resist the ..."
Foundering Giants need to regain winning swagger
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November 6
New York Post
 
"So what has gone wrong for the Giants during their three-game slide? How about everything, says Sirius host and Giants' play-by-play man Bob Papa. "The thing that sticks out at me is they are breaking down in all phases," Papa said. "It's kick coverage, missed throws, missed blocks, missed tackles, guys out of position — it's un-Coughlin like to be honest with you. It's a lot of little things that have added up to big headaches and that's what they are dealing with right now." The Giants were 5-0 and considered by some to be the best team in the NFL. But that was before a home loss to the Cardinals was sandwiched between road thrashings by the Saints and Eagles. Big Blue returns to the ..."
Jints working on 'D' communication problems
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November 6
New York Post
 
"Several defensive players -- most notably Antonio Pierce and Justin Tuck -- this past week mentioned communication problems as part of the reason for the breakdowns in recent weeks as the Giants allowed 48 points to the Saints and weren't any better in last week's 40-17 loss to the Eagles. If that's the case, it's not apparent to the man in charge. "You have to ask them, I don't know what they're talking about," defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan said yesterday when asked about any communication problems. "They haven't come to me regarding that. They could explain to you what they're referring to. If there is I'd love to hear about it." Heeding Sheridan's suggestion, Tuck was asked for a ..."
Eli, Rivers to battle for 1st time since draft-day trade
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November 6
New York Post
 
""With the fourth pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, the Giants select Philip Rivers, quarterback, North Carolina State." Those words never triggered a rush of excitement from Rivers and never prompted the Giants to envision Rivers wearing their uniform. The intricacies of a draft-day trade necessitated the Giants taking Rivers three picks after the Chargers made Eli Manning the No. 1 overall selection, even though Manning had already stated he wanted no part of playing in San Diego. It didn't take long from there for the details to get ironed out and for the Giants to send three draft picks to the Chargers as the two teams exchanged players they hoped would develop into franchise quarterbacks. ..."
Hardwick unlikely to play vs. Giants
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November 6
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Hardwick, who had surgery Sept. 23 to repair ligaments in his left ankle, practiced for the fifth time. He has progressively done more, and he could be available in an emergency Sunday. Returning next week against Philadelphia or Nov. 22 at Denver is more likely. "I'm just going to listen to my body," Hardwick said. "You have to be able to perform at a high level.""
In a down economy, NFL viewership is up
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November 6
Washington Post
 
"When this NFL season began with some franchises struggling to sell tickets, there were concerns about the impact that the uncertain U.S. economy would have on the nation's most prosperous sport. While those concerns have turned out to be justified in a few NFL cities and unfounded in others, there has been an unforeseen development: The NFL's television ratings are soaring this season, and some analysts say it appears to be the result of consumers cutting back on other, more costly leisure activities in favor of watching pro football on TV. "I think there's only one answer and that is the NFL and television are actually getting the so-called 'benefit' of the recession," said Neal Pilson, ..."
Ex-QB Green: Eli throwing 'blind'
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November 5
New York Post
 
"Former NFL quarterback Trent Green analyzed Eli Manning's three-game slide on the NFL Network recently and, using video as evidence, suggested that the Giants quarterback's mechanics are not what they once were. Green said Manning has been adversely affected by pressure in the pocket, leading to poor footwork, a flattening of his shoulders along the line of scrimmage and vision that "sometimes gets locked in," causing "some blind throws." Manning didn't see it that way. "I think my mechanics are fine," he said yesterday. "It is something you work on constantly throughout the season. You can get off a little bit. You can see something from week to week that you want to fix or work on. I ..."
Boley and Canty set to return
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November 5
New York Post
 
"The battered and beaten Giants defense plans to welcome back two key performers this week, as expectations are that linebacker Michael Boley and defensive tackle Chris Canty will be on the field Sunday against the Chargers. Both injured players were able to practice for most or all of yesterday's practice. "I think this is a big step forward," said Boley, who was in for half the snaps. "In my mind, seeing how things go throughout the week, I could play, it's possible." Boley -- whose scientific name might as well be linebackus interruptus -- has led a now-you-see-him, now-you-don't Giants existence. He missed all of training camp after undergoing hip surgery and then had to sit out the ..."
Coughlin challenges Giants' big guns
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November 5
New York Post
 
"No one needs to hype the importance of Sunday's game against the Chargers to the Giants because Tom Coughlin already has. "The message really is that it is a one-game season for us," the Giants coach announced yesterday. Coughlin isn't actually staking the entire season on this game, but he is looking at it as a critical moment for his team. After this, the bye week arrives, making this in effect a one-and-done deal. "You don't always like to put too much pressure on one game," quarterback Eli Manning said, "but I think in this scenario that is kind of what you have to do." What Coughlin did this week is throw down a challenge to the players he considers his leaders to snap the Giants out ..."
Giants coach Tom Coughlin tells players it's a '1-game season'
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November 5
New York Daily News
 
"It's now or never. With the Giants reeling after a three-game losing streak, Tom Coughlin told his players Wednesday that their game against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday "is a one-game season for us." And judging by their response, that's a reality they already faced. "You don't always like to put too much pressure on one game, but I think in this scenario that's kind of what you have to do," said quarterback Eli Manning. "We need to get a win going into the bye week and get back to playing our style of football." "I can't say it's a 'do or die,'" added linebacker Danny Clark. "But it's a situation where the sense of urgency is now." At 5-3, the Giants are already in third place and ..."
Rivers, Manning forever linked by draft
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November 5
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"For all Philip Rivers and Eli Manning have been mentioned together, they have hardly ever met. So much time has passed, and the whole thing never was personal between them anyway. And they don't really play against each other. So this is all a little bit about nothing pertinent, really. Except that one will never be extricated from the other."
Three Injured Giants Are Making Progress
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November 5
New York Times
 
"Three key members of the Giants' defense reported progress in their recoveries from injuries Wednesday and expressed hope that they could play soon. Chris Canty, the defensive lineman, said he practiced fully and has recovered from a calf injury. He said he expected to be available Sunday when the Giants (5-3) try to break a three-game losing streak; they host the San Diego Chargers (4-3) at Giants Stadium. Michael Boley, the linebacker, said he practiced partially in his rehabilitation from knee surgery and might play against the Chargers. Aaron Ross, the cornerback who has been out all season with a hamstring injury, did not practice and said he would not be ready. But the Giants have a ..."
New York Giants Midseason Report Card: Eli Manning must curb turnovers
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November 4
New York Daily News
 
"Justin Tuck said the Giants might have lost their confidence. Corey Webster said they’re "a real angry team right now." Antonio Pierce called the defense "a complete embarrassment." Just imagine how they’d feel if they weren’t 5-3 and only a half-game back in the NFC East. The problem, of course, is what’s behind those numbers. They ran off to a 5-0 start against a pathetically soft schedule before collapsing in the face of the first real tests they faced. They have lost three in a row for the first time since 2006, and the defense has given up more points in the last three games (112) than in any three-game stretch since 1973. "This team, just three weeks ago, was not playing like ..."
Giants need a Charge to save their season
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November 4
New York Post
 columnist Paul Schwartz
"There comes a time when a season is either going to blossom or shrivel up and die well before the playoffs thaw. That time is now for the Giants, and get out the shovels if they don't come through. Unless this team is content with rolling around in the mire and mediocrity of a 9-7 season, banking on tiebreakers and wishing for losses elsewhere to somehow snatch a wild card spot, this three-game losing streak must end Sunday against the Chargers at Giants Stadium. It is barely November, but by the time the Giants next take the field the Yankees may be World Series champions. The game of summer will be pushed aside, finally, and the Giants will cross over into the second half of a season ..."
After three straight losses, New York Giants suffering from crisis of confidence
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November 3
New York Daily News
 
"The Giants have lost three straight for the first time in three years, and their defense is mired in its worst stretch in 36 seasons. But there's something else the Giants are experiencing now that they haven't felt in as long as they can remember. Doubt. Justin Tuck felt it creeping in among his teammates in the second half of their 40-17 loss in Philadelphia on Sunday, right after the Eagles scored twice in 68 seconds to take a 30-7 halftime lead. He noticed the Giants' "swagger" was missing, especially on the defensive side. "When they got off on their lead, I don't know if we honestly believed that we had the capability of coming back on them on that day," the defensive end said ..."
Burden of righting New York Giants falls on quarterback Eli Manning's shoulders
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November 3
New York Daily News
 columnist Gary Myers
"In the last three weeks, even the Rams have won more games than the Giants. So have the Raiders and Titans. It's about as bad around the Giants right now as at any time since Tom Coughlin nearly was fired following the tumultuous 2006 season. After a 5-0 start, the Giants have lost their way and dropped behind the Eagles and Cowboys in the NFC East. "We've got to get back on track before this thing gets out of hand," Eli Manning said Monday. It's time for the $106.9 million quarterback to step up and save the season instead of being one of the main reasons for the three-game losing streak. There are many culprits during this disappearing act during which the Giants have been outscored ..."
Return of Boley, Canty provide Giant upgrade
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November 3
New York Post
 
"Help is on the way to aid the ailing Giants defense. Linebacker Michael Boley and defensive tackle Chris Canty are both scheduled to take part in practice tomorrow when the Giants begin their on-field preparation for Sunday's game against the Chargers. Last week, the injured duo took part in some individual drills, but this week they will be pushed even further. They certainly are needed, with the Giants riding a three-game losing streak. Moving Boley, who has missed the last four games, to weak side linebacker and Canty, who has missed the past seven games, into the middle of the defensive line rotation would be significant upgrades for a defense that has allowed 112 points in the past ..."
Jints cannot 'wait' for big turnaround
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November 3
New York Post
 
"The core of this Giants team has risen to the challenge so often the past few seasons that even when darkness is shrouding the light there's the belief that some soothing rays of sunshine will soon peek through. That may sound comforting as a current three-game losing streak slaps the Giants with stinging harshness, but it may actually be masking part of the problem. As they figure out a way to save their season the Giants may have forgotten how they first gained a reputation for always bouncing back. "Sometimes you can fall into the fact that you think it's just gonna happen," Eli Manning said yesterday. "Hey, we played bad, next week we'll just play better. Especially how well we played ..."
Slumping Giants Are Struggling to Communicate
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November 3
New York Times
 
"Giants defensive end Justin Tuck was blunt Monday when he expanded on comments made Sunday by middle linebacker Antonio Pierce about how the defense had a communication problem during a 40-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Pierce refused to elaborate, but Tuck said he knew it was true "when a guy scores a touchdown and guys are looking at each other like 'I thought this' and 'I thought that.' " This seemed to suggest, in part, the positioning of the defensive backs, who did not always seem sure of whom to cover as Donovan McNabb threw three touchdown passes. Tuck's words also hinted that players were not always quick to follow the instructions of Bill Sheridan, the defensive coordinator ..."
Heavyweights too much for free fallin' G-Men
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November 2
New York Post
 columnist Steve Serby
"Lawrence Taylor and Harry Carson and Phil Simms must be wearing bags over their heads. These aren't the Big Bad Giants those proud old warriors are watching these days. They are the Incredible Shrinking Giants. The Giants stole a Super Bowl two years ago from Tom Brady with a clutch assassin quarterback and deadly defense. Right now Eli Manning -- two more interceptions yesterday, five in two games -- is in the throes of an alarming slump, and the Center for Disease Control might want to investigate whether plantar fasciitis is contagious, because Big Blue sure seems to have caught it from the quarterback. The quarterback swears his foot has not compromised his game or his team, even as ..."
Eli refuses to call foot fault
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November 2
New York Post
 
"Despite his recent struggles, Eli Manning yesterday again insisted his right foot is not an issue. "It feels great," Manning said after he threw two interceptions in a 40-17 loss to the Eagles. "It hasn't bothered me all week. I'm not taping it, I'm not doing anything with it any more. That's not the problem." In the Oct. 4 victory in Kansas City, Manning went down with an injury to his plantar fascia in his right foot, missed practice time the next two weeks but did not miss any games. Tom Coughlin yesterday said there's been a few times where he's noticed Manning is not pushing off his right foot. Manning looked as if he was floating his passes several times against the Eagles."
McNabb, Eagles soar with Giant blow out
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November 2
New York Post
 
"As he left his team in the visitors' locker room at Lincoln Financial Field, Tom Coughlin kept calm as he waded through the wreckage of yesterday's 40-17 loss to the Eagles that suddenly left the once 5-0 Giants mired in a three-game losing streak at mid-season. In what was described as a firm but not loud address, Coughlin laid out the facts in the most basic of terms to players who at the moment have no answers and, at times, no clue as to what's transpiring out on the field. "I just told the players, 'Nobody said this was going to be easy,' " Coughlin said. "We're going to fight until there's nothing left of us; those who will fight, we're going to fight our way out of this. All off a ..."
New York Giants WR Steve Smith's boasts get Philadelphia Eagles defense fired up
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November 2
New York Daily News
 
"After spending his first four years in the NFL with the Patriots, current Eagle cornerback Ellis Hobbs has seen a lot of pregame trash talk blow up in opponents' faces. So it was Sunday after the Giants' Steve Smith predicted receivers would be open all day long against the Eagles' man coverage. The end result, a 40-17 Philadelphia rout, didn't exactly go according to Smith's script. "Oh yeah. We read it. We understood it," Hobbs said. "It is what it is. It's nothing I'm not used to, especially coming from New England. I think we did well today, across the board." Indeed, it was total domination on defense, offense and special teams as the Eagles beat the Giants for the third straight ..."
Manning faults his bad decisions
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November 2
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Eli Manning insists he isn't hurt, even though his coach, Tom Coughlin, said he has seen the quarterback not push off correctly when he throws in practice because of an injury to his right foot. The Giants receivers are banged up, but they are no worse than they were earlier in the season, when New York jumped out to a 5-0 start. And the rushing game has been a good enough second option to threaten opposing defenses.So what's wrong with Manning and the slumping passing game?"I don't know," Manning said after the Eagles thumped the Giants, 40-17. "But I know I can play better and have to play better."For the second straight game, Manning threw more interceptions (two) than touchdowns (one). ..."
Eagles punch out Giants, 40-17
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November 2
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Eagles coach Andy Reid has compared NFC East games to a heavyweight bout. If he's right, then the New York Giants must have felt like they just had their ears bitten off when they left Lincoln Financial Field late this afternoon. It was difficult to tell exactly which Eagles punch was the most devastating because they threw so many lethal left hooks and right uppercuts that the defending division champions never had a chance. The cumulative damage, on the other hand, was unmistakable: Eagles 40, Giants 17. "I think we did send a statement," defensive end Trent Cole. "Now we want to keep building upon that statement." Cole helped provide the relentless pressure that forced Giants ..."
Communication problems plague Giants' defense
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November 2
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"SURRENDER 88 points in two losses and everyone recognizes there's a problem."I ain't gonna lie," Giants cornerback Corey Webster said. "It's a concern. You can't play 50 snaps, and play focused on 40 of them and not be focused on the other 10."For 2 of the past 3 weeks, he said, that has been the case. It is how 5-0 and a cruise back to the top of the NFC East becomes 5-3. Those three straight losses aren't all by inches. Two were by miles.The Giants allowed New Orleans 48 points, hung tight with explosive Arizona in a loss last week, then got waxed, 40-17, yesterday by the Eagles. Still, they entered the game ranked first in fewest total yards allowed and 14th in points allowed.They gave ..."
Between the tackles: Weaver gets into the act
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November 2
Philadelphia Daily News
 columnist Paul Domowitch
"One number tells you all you need to know about the role of the fullback in the Eagles' running game under Andy Reid.The number is 59, which is the total number of rushing attempts by Eagles fullbacks in Reid's first 10 seasons as the team's head coach."I knew what I was walking into when I signed [as a free agent in March]," said Leonard Weaver. "I expected to come in and run-block for the most part. Maybe catch the ball a little bit. Maybe run a little bit. But mostly run-block."That's pretty much what Weaver did in the Eagles' first six games. Caught the ball a little bit (seven catches). Ran the ball a little bit (just four rushing attempts). But mostly served as a lead-blocker for ..."
Eagles give Giants healthy dose of McNabb
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November 2
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"After two fairly unimpressive showings against Oakland (a loss) and Washington (a win), quarterback Donovan McNabb snapped out of it yesterday in that 40-17 drubbing of the New York Giants. Saying earlier in the week that he planned "to go back to basics," McNabb did just that as he employed his array of offensive weapons to their fullest potential.It was a sharp effort.And one that left the 32-year-old quarterback saying with a grin, "I still feel young."Young, and he could have added "healthy again." While he said he is still not back 100 percent from the rib injury suffered in the season opener against Carolina that sidelined him for two games, McNabb continued to iron out what coach ..."
Effective work from offensive line helps Eagles against Giants
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November 2
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"Maybe the most reassuring thing about the Eagles' 40-17 victory over the Giants yesterday was the way the offensive line seems to be coming together, after so much injury and uncertainty."We're a little bit more healthy," offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said, after his unit ran for 180 yards and threw for 240 against what had been the NFL's top-rated defense. "The last couple of weeks, now? These guys are tough guys, and they gutted it out."Mornhinweg has said left tackle Jason Peters (knee, ankle) and right guard Nick Cole (knee) have been more limited lately than they've let on. Left guard Todd Herremans, of course, played for just the second time yesterday after suffering a ..."
McNabb, running game, defense lead Eagles to rout of Giants
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November 2
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"THIS WAS THE GAME fans circled on the schedule back in the offseason, then underlined when so many of the Eagles' early opponents turned out to be even more hapless than imagined.The Nov. 1 Giants game will tell us, the keepers of the conventional wisdom solemnly intoned. Then we'll know what kind of Eagles team this is.Well, Eagles 40, Giants 17, game over by halftime, when the Birds held a 30-7 advantage.So, whaddaya know?Well, apparently this Donovan McNabb fellow (17-for-23, 240 yards, three touchdowns, 146.7 passer rating) is not washed up, or hopelessly addicted to throwing passes at his receivers' feet, as some of his critics have implied in recent weeks."I guess I was pretty ..."
Giants Fall Apart in Third Straight Loss
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November 2
New York Times
 
"In the final two minutes of the Eagles' 40-17 victory over the Giants on Sunday, the hosts tried to end the embarrassment mercifully. Donovan McNabb fell to one knee after a first-down snap to run down the clock without scoring anymore or risking anyone's health. But Giants Coach Tom Coughlin refused to concede. He called timeouts, forcing the Eagles to run plays and then punt. When the Giants got the ball back, Coughlin used Eli Manning until the last snap, on which Manning was sacked."
Eli Manning, New York Giants embarrassed in blowout loss to Philadelphia Eagles
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November 2
New York Daily News
 
"One bad loss didn't make the Giants worry, and two straight weren't enough to make them panic. So what about now? Panic can't be all that far off after the Giants crashed into what they can only hope is rock bottom yesterday. The Giants were humiliated, 40-17, by a Philadelphia Eagles team playing without the injured Brian Westbrook, thanks to another shaky performance from Eli Manning and a terrible game from a defense that Antonio Pierce called "a complete embarrassment and disappointment." They're now in third place in the NFC East, thanks to a three-game losing streak that has spoiled their 5-0 start and is threatening to ruin this once-promising season. It's gotten so bad that, for ..."
4-get the Series, this 1 is all about the Eagles
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November 1
New York Post
 columnist Steve Serby
"This isn't Game 4 of the World Series for the Giants. It is Game 1 against the Eagles. And they want Game 1 against the Eagles today at the Linc every bit as much as the Yankees want Game 4 of the World Series tonight against the Phillies. They want Game 1 against the Eagles for all the usual reasons, dating back to Bednarik and Gifford, to Parcells and Buddy Ryan. They want Game 1 against the Eagles because they need to stop their two-game losing streak and silence whispers that they are a fluke team that can only beat the dregs of the NFL. And they want Game 1 against the Eagles because they remember what it looked like when Donovan McNabb picked up that phone on their sidelines, they ..."
Punter playing keep-away from DeSean
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November 1
New York Post
 
"There is no more dangerous big-play threat in the NFL than DeSean Jackson, the Eagles' do-everything receiver. He has a touchdown of at least 60 yards in four of the first six games, and all five of his touchdowns have covered at least 50 yards. "His breakaway speed is incredible, so if he doesn't get corralled early in the down, he can just run away from people and he does," defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan said. Of particular interest to Jeff Feagles is that Jackson had an 85-yard punt return for a touchdown against the Panthers in Week 1. "He's one of those special athletes that can make a play at any time in the game," the Giants' punter said. "He's fast and he'll also sacrifice ..."
Big Blue out to get back at Birds, stay in first
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November 1
New York Post
 
"There are rivalries galore for the Giants, but nothing quite like their feelings about Philadelphia, which is why having the Eagles win two games at Giants Stadium last season — including a playoff-ousting defeat — was disturbing to the Giants on so many levels. Losing two straight after a 5-0 start, the Giants realize they need to stop the bleeding today at Lincoln Financial Field, not only to retain their hold on first place in the NFC East, but also because there's nothing that promotes more misery than losing to the Eagles. "One of those games where it's gonna be the last man standing," said left tackle David Diehl, who squares off with sack-happy defensive end Trent Cole."
Eagles' relentless Cole a Giant-killer
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November 1
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Trent Cole, an avid hunter, knows he can sometimes be the bait.On Sundays in autumn, the Eagles defensive end lures offensive linemen the way he may entice a wild boar: with cunning and patience.The game isn't blowing by linemen, however. It's sacking quarterbacks. And Cole has become one of the best in the NFL. He might not get the national attention of, say, Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck of the New York Giants - the Eagles' opponent today - but Cole has, at the very least, gained the respect of his teammates and coaches. And, based on how the fifth-year pro has terrorized New York, he has most certainly earned its admiration."You got to be smart knowing where he is and get a double-team ..."
Manning's slump threatens Giants
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November 1
Philadelphia Inquirer
 columnist Ashley Fox
"He looks the same. Still rumpled and boyish, Eli Manning seems as if he just rolled out of bed, even though it's after 2 o'clock on a rainy afternoon last week at the New York Giants' expansive new practice facility.Barefoot and in sweats, Manning delivers bland words in a monotone, about how the Giants need to regain their consistency and avoid penalties and not miss opportunities. Through the first five weeks of the season, when he completed 64.4 percent of his passes for more than 1,200 yards against what turned out to be some of the NFL's weakest teams, Manning was making a run at league MVP. But after two straight losses, to New Orleans and Arizona, he's back to being Captain Obvious ..."
Former New York Giants RB Rodney Hampton helps Big Blue play it safe
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November 1
New York Daily News
 
"Rodney Hampton hasn't suited up for the Giants in 12 years, but when Plaxico Burress put a bullet through his leg last November, it hurt him as much as the players that still run out of the tunnel on Sunday at Giants Stadium. The former Giants running back never carried a gun in his eight seasons in the NFL. Rather, he employed a friend who worked for the Hackensack police to protect and chauffeur him and his family. When the Burress news broke, all Hampton could do was shake his head. "It was something (the Giants) couldn't control," Hampton said. "The organization had to pay for it over something that could have been avoided." That's why Hampton has partnered with Player Protect, a ..."
New York Giants need to restore order by beating Philadelphia Eagles across the street from Series
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November 1
New York Daily News
 
"There is no finger on the panic button - at least not yet. That's what Tom Coughlin has stressed to his team all week: that the Giants are still in pretty good position at the top of the NFC East standings, as they join the Yankees in invading Philadelphia Sunday. There's no reason to be worried, even after two straight crushing defeats. "We have a half-game lead in the division and we have absolutely nothing to be moping around about," Coughlin said. "A loss is a loss. Move on. You have to bounce back." It's really as simple as that as the Giants (5-2) get back into division play this afternoon against the Philadelphia Eagles (4-2). At another time, this game might have been a grudge ..."
Mario sits, but says he'll play
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October 31
New York Post
 
"Mario Manningham sat out yesterday's practice after landing on his left shoulder trying to catch a pass on Thursday. But the wide receiver, who is emerging as a prime target for Eli Manning, said he would be on the field when the Giants visit the Eagles tomorrow. "I'll be out there, no question," said Manningham, who rode the stationary bike yesterday and was listed as questionable. The second-year receiver has battled other injuries this season, including one to the same shoulder against Dallas. Nevertheless, he said wasn't concerned. "It's just a little bruise," said Manningham, the team's second leading receiver (28 receptions, 439 yards and four touchdowns) behind Steve Smith."
Pierce: Vick a threat despite playing little since return
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October 31
New York Post
 
"As familiar as the Giants are with the Eagles, they haven't seen them with Michael Vick. Antonio Pierce (listed as probable with an ankle injury) said he isn't sure what to expect from the versatile quarterback. When asked to compare Vick's play now with what it had been before he was forced from the league for his role in a dogfighting ring, the linebacker said, "That is tough. I don't think that is fair to Vick." Pierce also said he hasn't seen enough of Vick in his return to form a judgment, but knows he remains a threat. "He has only been on the field maybe 20-30 times this season," Pierce said of Vick, who was suspended to start the year and has thrown just six passes and run nine ..."
Giants tight end still searching for first TD
Comment
October 31
New York Post
 
"Kevin Boss caught plenty of passes in the end zone yesterday, as the Giants practiced their red-zone (or "green-zone" in coach Tom Coughlin-speak) offense. But the tight end still is waiting to actually score a touchdown in a game this season after hauling in six a year ago, which is at least partly why the Giants haven't been very effective in that area. "I wouldn't say it's a concern of mine that I haven't gotten one yet," Boss said. "Obviously, I would like to score some touchdowns, but I just haven't had the opportunity like last year." He'll try to change that trend tomorrow against the Eagles, but Boss already has surprised some of his coaches and teammates by practicing this week ..."
Giants waiting on Eagles' Westbrook
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October 31
New York Daily News
 
"The Giants have seen enough of Brian Westbrook over the years to know one thing for sure: They're much better off if he's not on the field. They might get their wish tomorrow, too, since Westbrook, the Eagles ' running back and one of the biggest Giant-killers of them all, has been sidelined all week with the after-effects of a concussion. Even though the Eagles list him as "questionable," Westbrook hadn't even been cleared to work out as of Friday. His status will be a game-time decision, said Eagles coach Andy Reid , but the team is obviously being cautious since Westbrook was knocked unconscious for close to a minute on Monday night and was still experiencing mild headaches on ..."
Rolle fined for hit vs. Giants
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October 31
Arizona Republic
 
"Last Sunday's game against the Giants was a costly one for several members of the Arizona Cardinals. Safety Antrel Rolle was fined $7,500 for unnecessary roughness for striking a defenseless receiver, tight end Kevin Boss. No penalty was called on the play. Tackle Levi Brown was fined $5,000 for a chop block that was called."
Reid won't rule Westbrook out
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October 31
Camden Courier-Post
 
"Either it's a smoke screen the size of South Philadelphia or blind optimism, but Eagles coach Andy Reid hasn't ruled out Brian Westbrook for Sunday's showdown against the Giants, even though the running back sustained a concussion five days ago. In his last press conference before the Eagles and Giants meet to decide first place in the NFC East, Reid said Friday that Westbrook is listed as questionable on the official injury report -- which indicates a 50-percent chance to play -- and said the final decision probably won't be rendered until right before Sunday's kickoff. "This is going to end up being a game-day decision I'm sure," Reid said. "These things take time and they're all ..."