Angus
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Coughlin Has His Team's Back
September 5, 2007 4:00 PM
I made the quick trip out to the Cowboys' practice facility to visit with Giants head coach Tom Coughlin and quarterback Eli Manning via conference call this afternoon.
When Coughlin was introduced by someone in the Giants' P.R. department, classical piano music began to play, which could be part of Coughlin's image makeover that has caused some Giants fans to hate him a lot less.
He actually sounded more relaxed than usual. Even when talk turned to Tiki Barber's upcoming book, Coughlin remained calm. First of all, though, let's answer your injury questions.
Asked if defensive end Michael Strahan would be ready for Sunday night's game against the Cowboys, Coughlin said, "I'm reluctant to make a real quick decision on that...We have to know he can defend himself."
Coughlin said cornerback Sam Madison (hamstring) practiced today, but he's still unsure whether he'll be ready to go Sunday.
The Giants head coach also talked quite a bit about Manning's development. He said new quarterbacks coach Chris Palmer is trying to help Manning improve his accuracy, but more importantly, his leadership skills.
During my visit to Giants minicamp two months ago, GM Jerry Reese told me the organization had talked to Manning about his overall demeanor on the field. I've had two sources tell me that former Giants running back Tiki Barber used to return to the huddle and say helpful things like, "Watch your posture, Ellie."
Today, Coughlin admitted having at least one conversation with Manning about that hangdog expression that has driven Giants fans crazy over the past three years.
We also asked Coughlin about Manning firing back at Barber for comments the former running back made on NBC recently.
"The locker room was pleased to hear that," deadpanned Coughlin.
He then talked about the effort he's made to become more media friendly. Coughlin said he thought all the criticism he's received in the past actually deflected some of it from his players.
The obvious point he missed was that a lot of that criticism was coming from his own players. Coughlin said the Giants P.R. staff convinced him that he needed to take a little different approach with the New York media.
He responded by letting a couple of newspapers in the area do feature stories on him, but now says he only did it to help the organization.
I'm headed to visit with Wade Phillips. Back in a little while.
http://myespn.go.com/profile/hashmarks
September 5, 2007 4:00 PM
I made the quick trip out to the Cowboys' practice facility to visit with Giants head coach Tom Coughlin and quarterback Eli Manning via conference call this afternoon.
When Coughlin was introduced by someone in the Giants' P.R. department, classical piano music began to play, which could be part of Coughlin's image makeover that has caused some Giants fans to hate him a lot less.
He actually sounded more relaxed than usual. Even when talk turned to Tiki Barber's upcoming book, Coughlin remained calm. First of all, though, let's answer your injury questions.
Asked if defensive end Michael Strahan would be ready for Sunday night's game against the Cowboys, Coughlin said, "I'm reluctant to make a real quick decision on that...We have to know he can defend himself."
Coughlin said cornerback Sam Madison (hamstring) practiced today, but he's still unsure whether he'll be ready to go Sunday.
The Giants head coach also talked quite a bit about Manning's development. He said new quarterbacks coach Chris Palmer is trying to help Manning improve his accuracy, but more importantly, his leadership skills.
During my visit to Giants minicamp two months ago, GM Jerry Reese told me the organization had talked to Manning about his overall demeanor on the field. I've had two sources tell me that former Giants running back Tiki Barber used to return to the huddle and say helpful things like, "Watch your posture, Ellie."
Today, Coughlin admitted having at least one conversation with Manning about that hangdog expression that has driven Giants fans crazy over the past three years.
We also asked Coughlin about Manning firing back at Barber for comments the former running back made on NBC recently.
"The locker room was pleased to hear that," deadpanned Coughlin.
He then talked about the effort he's made to become more media friendly. Coughlin said he thought all the criticism he's received in the past actually deflected some of it from his players.
The obvious point he missed was that a lot of that criticism was coming from his own players. Coughlin said the Giants P.R. staff convinced him that he needed to take a little different approach with the New York media.
He responded by letting a couple of newspapers in the area do feature stories on him, but now says he only did it to help the organization.
I'm headed to visit with Wade Phillips. Back in a little while.
http://myespn.go.com/profile/hashmarks