Boss' concussion is at least his second

Kevin Boss missed most of the first game of the season after suffering a concussion on the fourth offensive snap. It should have been a penalty, but we'll get into that matter in a moment. For now, the Giants are concerned about Boss because this is his second concussion in less than a year.

But wait. The Giants were adamant that Boss did not suffer concussions in the games against the Cardinals or the Chargers last year when he received hard shots to the head and admitted to balcking out.

The Giants just clarified that Boss suffered a concussion against the Broncos in the Thanksgiving Day game. They say he went through the necessary tests required by the league and he was cleared to play and practice the following Wednesday when the team returned to work. That's why he never appeared on the injury report.

"I'm sure that will be one of the major concerns, sure," Tom Coughlin said of Boss' history with concussions. He also said the neck part of the injury is a non-factor.

As for the hit, which was put on Boss from behind by Sherrod Martin, Coughlin said it was illegal. Or at least it should have been. (Martin might have gotten away with it in the criminal trial, but he's sure to get nailed in the civil trail by the league with a hefty fine.)

"If people are following the rules, the kid doesn't get touched," Coughlin said. "That was as blatant and obvious as anything you'll see. No call, no nothing. But we lose a player after a few players in the game and now we wait to see what his status will be."

Hits to the head on defenseless players was supposed to be a point of emphasis for NFL officials this year. Ask Antrel Rolle about that, he was flagged and fined for a preseason hit against Mark Clayton, then of the Ravens. But the officials weren't pointing or emphasizing this hit apparently.

"I didnt get anything," Coughlin said of an explanation on the no-call. "I went out, they didn't have any idea that it happened."