Rookie CB Amukamara might start vs. Packers

Prince Amukamara stood in front of a small group of reporters, detailing how this week potentially could be the biggest of his five-month pro career.

Despite the steep NFL learning curve, the Giants cornerback said Mondayhe's still "pretty confident" in his ability and that regardless of the magnitude of Sunday's playoff game in Green Bay, "I just know I'm going to be ready."

Then an unexpected inquiry caught him off guard.

"So, Prince, I have a question," defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy said from the back of the scrum. "Do you think you're going to do cardio before you leave?"

Amukamara paused for a moment, then quietly replied: "Oh, there's cardio today?"

Being a rookie isn't easy. And things could get even tougher for Amukamara come Sunday. He likely will get his first start -- at Lambeau Field, of all places -- if fellow cornerback Aaron Ross can't play. Ross and running back D.J. Ware suffered concussions during Sunday's 24-2 rout of the Falcons.

Tom Coughlin said Ross and Ware went through the necessary concussion screenings Monday. The coach said team doctors are treating Ross "as if it was a concussion.''

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Ross' uncertain status means more eyes will be on Amukamara, but the 6-foot, 207-pounder doesn't seem fazed by the daunting task of slowing the pass-happy Packers.

"That's what I was drafted here to do," said Amukamara, who replaced Ross in the third quarter against Atlanta. "The coaches have always had high expectations for me and my job is to exceed them."

Said Coughlin: "He's gaining more experience and that's exactly what he needs. He is physical. He will hit you."

Amukamara's introduction to the NFL has been anything but typical.

"Everything started off real fast in the beginning, but now I think everything's starting to slow down," said the Nebraska product, who missed the preseason and nine regular-season games after fracturing a bone in his foot on his second day of training camp. He later hurt his back trying to compensate for the foot injury.

Corey Webster warned Amukamara that Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan would test him as soon as he went into the game. But that, to Amukamara's surprise, never happened. The rookie held his own, making two tackles. "I think [Sunday] was a great confidence boost for me."

His teammates seem just as confident that he can cover the Packers' collection of weapons.

"I couldn't be more proud of Prince," said safety Antrel Rolle, who added that Webster and Ross have been instrumental in the rookie's development. "We've been on him hard. We expect a lot of great things from Prince. We only want the best for him because we know what kind of player he is."