Upon further review, Coughlin begs to differ
Head coach Tom Coughlin of the New York Giants looks on from the sidelines against the Green Bay Packers during their NFC Divisional playoff game at Lambeau Field. (Jan. 15, 2012) Credit: Getty Images
The Giants won Sunday, so their disapproval of the officiating was reduced to a smolder instead of a conflagration. But it was not entirely extinguished.
Tom Coughlin said he doubts he'll get an explanation from the NFL about referee Bill Leavy's decision to not only rule the Packers' Greg Jennings down by contact before he fumbled but to confirm the call on replay. Coughlin, who came out of the regular-season loss to the Packers with a photo he thought proved that Jake Ballard was in bounds on a catch in the end zone that was ruled out of bounds, hinted that he might have similar evidence this time.
"There is," he said when asked if there was anything on videotape that made the call clearer, "but I won't go into it."
Coughlin did address the penalty against Osi Umenyiora for a "blow to the head" of Aaron Rodgers. He said he had "no idea" why that was a penalty.
"It was an aggressive football play," he said. "The quarterback is following through as he releases the ball. The hit is from the side, there's no helmet involved, it's from shoulders to waist. We'll coach that one forever."
Commercial success
Eli Manning beat Rodgers on the field Sunday, but how about during the commercial breaks? On his weekly spot on 1050 ESPN radio, Manning was asked to compare Rodgers' State Farm ads with his own Toyota ads. "I think both are good," he said. "But I think the Toyota commercials hold their own and my teammates seem to like them and quote them and give me grief about them."
Giant steps
Coughlin said the Giants came out of the game without major injuries but said it would not be clear until practice Wednesday .
