Coughlin shrugs off Barber's barbs

Tiki Barber's name came up during Tom Coughlin's media briefing on Friday, but the Giants' coach refused to address his former running back's suggestion he is losing control of his football team.

"I'm not reacting to anything that's said by anybody along those lines," Coughlin said brusquely.

But when it was mentioned that former Giants coach Bill Parcells said he doesn't look at penalties as the fault of any coach, Coughlin refused to take the easy out, saying, "Whatever happens is my responsibility."

Referring to the 11 penalties charged to the Giants in their 29-10 loss to Tennessee, Coughlin said, "Some of the penalties that occurred were coming from veteran football players. I'm upset about that to the point that the players don't realize that this contributes to a loss."

It's a message Coughlin always has preached, but it was reinforced this week in preparation for Sunday night's game against the 3-0 Bears at New Meadowlands Stadium. Coughlin said his team has been focused in practice and added, "I think there has been a real serious approach to getting back on track."

It might turn out that the notion of a team in crisis, as Barber depicted in a video for Yahoo sports earlier this week, is exactly what the Giants needed to get them to tune into Coughlin's frequency.

To veteran Giants, there is some irony to the idea that a coach noted for his disciplined approach is portrayed as having lost control. "Honestly, it's a topic every week, and that's why it's surprising," defensive tackle Barry Cofield said of the mental breakdowns against the Titans. "Coughlin always preaches that discipline, always harps on those things.

"It's really not his fault. If he didn't talk about it every single day, every single week and always give stats to back up the importance of penalties and turnover differential, then it would be understandable. But he always focuses on that, so, we've just got to execute."

Does the reality of the atmosphere in the Giants locker room match the outside perception of a coach losing control? "No," Cofield said. "I do think that, once an outside rumor picks up steam, it becomes a reality outside of the locker room. But everybody else knows what type of coach Coughlin is, knows what he preaches, and I think everyone is still on board. Now, if we're 1-10, ask me again. But right now, I don't think anyone has jumped ship."

Notes & quotes: DE Osi Umenyiora (knee) sat out practice with some swelling and is questionable, but is expected to play . . . C Shaun O'Hara (ankle/Achilles) is out, and OLB Keith Bulluck (toe) is doubtful and likely to be replaced by Clint Sintim.