Giant Football Blog

CC Brown demoted

After three straight awful performances by the Giants' defense, it was clear to everyone that something had to change. And safety C.C. Brown was pretty sure he knew what that change was going to be.

So it was no surprise to the much-maligned Brown Friday when he was told he had been demoted to the second team. Aaron Rouse will start in his place against the San Diego Chargers tomorrow as the Giants' defense tries to put an end to its worst three-game stretch in 36 years. "I mean, I pretty much knew after the game there was going to be a switch somewhere," Brown said. "In this business if you're not on your 'A game' all the time things like this are going to happen." Continue

Giants' D expect Boley and Canty back for Chargers

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 opener serving a one-game NFL-mandated suspension for violating the player conduct policy. Boley played in three games, and in his third put on a terrific display in Kansas City, before suffering a torn meniscus in his right knee that required surgery and knocked him out of commission for the last four games. Continue

Coughlin lays it on the line

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 QB 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 LB Danny Clark. "But it's a situation where the sense of urgency is now." Continue

Eli has to lead Giants' turnaround

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 112-61 by the Saints, Cardinals and Eagles - can this secondary cover anyone? - but Manning is the highest-paid player in the league because he's supposed to lift his team and make everyone around him better. Continue

What happened to Giants' D?

There’s something missing from the Giants defense right now.

Fight? Confidence? Pride? Awareness? All of those received at least some resistance when presented to the players and coach Tom Coughlin in the wake of Sunday’s 40-17 loss to the Eagles.

But there was one word that kept popping up that no one debated. One word that defines exactly what’s been absent when the Giants defense has stepped onto the field lately.

“The right word is ‘swagger,’” defensive end Justin Tuck said Monday. “That’s what we need to get back, and we haven’t had it the past few weeks.”

Not since they got blown out by the Saints — a bad loss from which they still haven’t recovered.

“You look at us on film, we feel it. We’re human,” linebacker Antonio Pierce said in his weekly interview on WFAN. “But we have to break that. We have to break that spirit. We have to get back our energy and our enthusiasm, get back that swagger about us that we had when we were 5-0.” Continue

Giants crushed by Eagles, its an official tailspin

For two weeks and two losses, the Giants kept insisting it was not time to panic.

So how about now?

This once powerful team hit what they can only hope is rock bottom Sunday, when the Giants were embarrassed by the Philadelphia Eagles, 40-17, at Lincoln Financial Field . For the second straight week, Eli Manning was inept, throwing two more interceptions, and for the second time in three weeks the Giants' defense was a disaster, giving up 391 total yards.

That's three-straight losses for the reeling and fading Giants who, just three weeks after getting off to a 5-0 start, are sitting in third place in the NFC East for the first time in two years.

The Giants (5-3) deserve that less than lofty place in the standings their absolutely dreadful performance against an Eagles team that was playing without Giant-killer Brian Westbrook(concussion). They were down 13-0 before anyone broke a sweat on the Giants offense. And as soon as they made it a game, closing to within 16-7 late in the first half, the Eagles turned it into a blowout before anyone could blink their eyes. Continue

Giants need to right ship vs Eagles

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 match for the Giants, who were punched out of the playoffs by the Eagles last year at home in the divisional round. But they've got more important issues to deal with now, such as a defense that was humiliated in a 48-27 loss in New Orleans two weeks ago, then gave up a few too many big passing plays in a 24-17 loss to Arizona last Sunday night. And an offense that has been out of sync for two weeks, directed by a quarterback who is in a two-game slump. Continue

Super Mario expects to play vs Eagles

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. Continue

Bradshaw to play with broken bone in foot

When Ahmad Bradshaw went to North Carolina to visit a noted orthopedist about his nagging foot injury, he wasn’t sure if he’d return as an active member of the Giants’ roster or a player on his way to injured reserve.

But Bradshaw got the blessing of Dr. Robert Anderson, a renowned ankle and foot specialist, so there he was Thursday, wearing his familiar walking boot while pedaling on the exercise bike on the sideline during practice.

“I had to go get a second opinion to see if I should be playing now,” Bradshaw told reporters afterward. “I’m very relieved to hear I’ll be on the field.” For now. Continue

Reese remains calm

Nearing the midpoint of their season, riding a two-game losing streak and facing a trip to Philadelphia for a tangle with their fierce NFC East rival, it sure appears to be a crossroads moment up ahead for the Giants.

Three players who were supposed to anchor their defense -- linebacker Michael Boley, cornerback Aaron Ross and defensive tackle Chris Canty -- are getting healthier, but not enough to play this Sunday. It's a tenuous time around the Giants, but the architect of the roster is keeping calm.

"You have to win the game some kind of way, you have to manufacture some wins if you have to," GM Jerry Reese yesterday told The Post. "I don't think we're in a panic stage. We're 5-2, we're No. 1 in our division. Continue