Ramses Barden can't wait to contribute to cause

Is it hot in here or is it just Week 7?

In Ramses Barden's case, it's the latter. The wide receiver is now eligible to come off the PUP list and rejoin the team.

"I'm ready to go," he said. "I can't wait. I'm sweating right now talking about it."

He thought he'd practice Tuesday, but he was held out because once he practices the team has three weeks to either activate or put him on IR. That window would have started -- during the bye -- had he practiced.

Barden said he expects to be active when the team returns to work on Monday and while offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride suggested there will be a "tremendous amount" of rust, Barden wants in. Fast.

"Mentally, I plan on playing [against the Dolphins]," he said. "I plan on being in the game plan and I plan on contributing in whatever way the team sees necessary. I can't wait."

Coughlin's challenge

Tom Coughlin said he challenged the ruling on the Mario Manningham play in the end zone last Sunday even though he was almost certain he would lose. "Why would I let a play like that go by?" he asked. "I just felt that I did not want that to go by if there was any chance at all that it would be overruled and it would be called a touchdown."

The play was ruled incomplete thanks to the "Calvin Johnson Rule," which states if a player goes to the ground in the act of catching a pass, he must maintain control of the ball.

Making Coughlin more frustrated was watching Detroit's Nate Burleson later that day score on a very similar play.

"There have been three or four of these plays where there has to be some consistency established from a standpoint of getting it one way," Coughlin said.

Prince's plan

Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell said the return of Justin Tuck will allow Jason Pierre-Paul to play about 10 fewer snapswhich should help his production. "He plays slow at times," Fewell said. "We think that's because he's winded. If he had that little breather on the sideline, he could come in and produce and do some things that we feel like can accelerate his game to a different level." . . . CB Prince Amukamara (foot) said the plan is for him to participate in individual drills with the team on Monday and possibly participate in team drills. . . . S Kenny Phillips (ribs) did not practice . . . Coughlin gave the players an extra day off during the bye. They were dismissed and will report back Monday morning.