Eagles' Maclin fires back at Giants' Rolle

Antrel Rolle said he can cover DeSean Jackson. Jeremy Maclin thinks he's covering something else.

"A lot of times when people talk, they're either insecure or scared," the Eagles receiver said. "You choose."

It was the latest verbal volley between teams that will face each other Sunday for the first time since the Giants blew a 21-point lead in the fourth quarter of their game last December.

Rolle, in his weekly segment on WFAN Tuesday, said he has covered Jackson one-on-one in the past and sees no reason he wouldn't be able to do it again if that's his role. He also said he hopes Michael Vick plays Sunday so the Eagles will have no excuses "when we go down to Philly and put it to 'em."

Wednesday, Rolle was less vitriolic about the Eagles. "The game is played on the field," he said. "It's not played with words. It's not played in the media."

But his comments Tuesday had already made their way to Philadelphia and a team that has won six straight against the Giants.

"They have no business talking because they haven't done anything in the last six times,'' Maclin added. "I don't know what he's trying to do, but he's not going to intimidate anyone in this locker room."

Asante a future Giant?

Asante Samuel used to be the No. 1 cornerback for the Eagles. Now he's No. 3 behind Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, which may be why he's considering a change of address.

Asked if he could ever see himself playing for the Giants, Samuel showed a hint of his unhappiness in Philadelphia.

"The way things are going this year," he said, "I guess I probably could."

Ross to return

With Domenik Hixon out for the year, Tom Coughlin said Aaron Ross would become the punt returner. Ross returned punts Monday night after Hixon was injured. Ross also was benched in the third quarter for poor play on defense. Coughlin said he planned on speaking with Ross about that decision after Wednesday's practice.

"We'll have it all straightened out," Coughlin said. "He wants to do the right thing."

Giant steps

Coughlin described DE Osi Umenyiora (knee) as "day-to-day" and said he still hopes to have him practicing Thursday. Umenyiora did not participate in Wednesday's's walk-through . . . TE Travis Beckum (hamstring) was limited in the walk-through . . . The NFL reversed a statistical decision and awarded Hakeem Nicks a 23-yard reception on the one-handed grab he made along the left sideline Monday night. The play officially had been ruled pass interference, but the Giants declined the penalty.

With Barbara Barker in Philadelphia