Giants' Grant urges man coverage
Deon Grant signals no touchdown after the Giants defense stopped the Bears in the 4th quarter. (Aug. 22, 2011) Credit: David Pokress
Is it time for the Giants' secondary to man up?
Safety Deon Grant thinks so. He said the Giants have been playing too much zone coverage and they need to start being more aggressive.
"I think we just have to get back to challenging receivers," he said Monday. "When we go back into going out there, being physical, being aggressive, challenging the receiver, then we'll be successful."
The Giants are aware of just how good Plaxico Burress is getting off the line of scrimmage, so they may not be ready to crowd the receivers on every snap this week. But the fundamentals of their zone coverage have been lacking lately -- especially when rookies Prince Amukamara and Jacquian Williams are involved -- and perhaps they will go back to playing more of a basic, in-your-face style.
"That's when we have been successful," Grant said. "Stick to what's worked."
DA: Early in Boley case
The Etowah County (Ala.) district attorney said the investigation into allegations that Michael Boley abused his 5-year-old son is in the early stages.
"We've just been presented with some allegations that there was some child abuse inflicted on one of his kids here in Gadsden [Ala.]," Jimmie Harp, the DA, told The Associated Press. He said that the allegations were made by the child's mother and evidence will be presented to a grand jury if it's determined there is probable cause.
Harp said that he has not yet interviewed Boley.
Giant steps
The Giants did not issue a participation report from Tuesday night's practice, but they did give the names of the players who will appear on Wednesday's injury list. There were no surprises but for the lack of DE Justin Tuck (toe) on the list, meaning he is expected to be practicing fully this week. That should make Antrel Rolle happy.
. . . Victor Cruz could become the Giants' single-season receiving yardage record holder this week. He needs 150 yards in the final two games to pass Amani Toomer's record (1,343 set in 2002). Hakeem Nicks also has a chance to break that mark and needs 248 yards . . . When the Redskins converted 8 of 15 third downs Sunday, they became the fifth consecutive Giants opponent with a success rate of at least 50 percent. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, that's the first time that's happened to the Giants since the 1970 merger.
