Coughlin mostly mum

Tom Coughlin wasn’t in a chatty mood today. I guess that was his way of saying that the Giants are going back to work. All of the casual banter is being left in August. But he did give a few nuggets of information that are good to know. Such as:

All training wheels are off of Kenny Phillips. “The easing part, I think, is over,” he said. “We’re going to see what he does. He’ll try and practice without reservation, and see how it goes.” Coughlin wouldn’t say whether or not Phillips will start, though.

As for Keith Bulluck, Coughlin said: “I think he’ll be ready to go.”

Shawn Andrews is getting closer to being ready to play. Not start, but play in a game. “He’s coming,” Coughlin said. “We have lengthened him out each time we’ve worked him. We feel like he’s getting there and he’ll have to contribute.” Does Andrews have to get more up to speed on the Giants’ offense or just a return to football in general? Both, Coughlin said.

Coughlin said besides Darius Reynaud, they will have D.J. Ware and Hakeem Nicks available as kickoff returners.

Coughlin did remind the team of last year’s loss to the Panthers this morning. He pointed to the screen behind him where there was apparently a message about just that when the players were in the room. What was written there? “It’s not for family entertainment,” he said.

It might not have been a Rex Ryan press conference, but apparently the team’s meeting this morning had a few Rex-bombs. Now let’s go get a G.D. snack!