Ugly loss to Vikings motivates Giants
Giants coach Tom Coughlin during the 2010 season. (Dec. 5, 2010) Credit: David Pokress
The Giants' 2009 season may have been forgettable, but where and how it ended are very much on the players' and coaches' minds this week.
"Let's just say we haven't forgotten what happened there," guard Chris Snee said Monday of the 41-7 loss in January that punctuated a disappointing 8-8 season. "We know what the final score was and we know what happened in there. It's already been talked about."
Tom Coughlin actually mentioned it in his postgame address to the team Sunday.
"Last year's loss in Minnesota left a bad taste in a lot of guys' mouths, and the new guys, that will be brought up," Barry Cofield said. "I would hope that everyone has all the motivation that they need."
Snee made it clear that he is more focused on improving upon the Giants' poor performance that day than on exacting revenge on the Vikings for running up the score.
"What we showed on that field was not indicative of the team that we are, the reputation that we've had over the years of a team that is going to play you for four quarters. We didn't do that,'' Snee said. "Most guys were embarrassed by that performance, me included. I never want to have that feeling again.''
Diehl, Smith likely back
David Diehl and Steve Smith were listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Redskins and did not play. This week, expect there to be a lot less doubt.
Coughlin sounded more optimistic about Smith (pectoral). "Hopefully, we'll be able to move him along," he said. Coughlin said Diehl (hamstring) will continue to practice.
He said he had no updates on Hakeem Nicks (leg) other than that he is expected to resume running; he was unsure if that means he can practice. He also wasn't sure if Shaun O'Hara (foot) will be able to practice and said Shawn Andrews (back) has improved but that his status for tomorrow's practice is unclear.
Giant stepsCoughlin was pleased with the special-teams play, noting tackles by Brian Jackson and Deon Grant and the tackle and blocked punt by Devin Thomas . . . Cofield said he was talking with the defense when the Giants had to burn a timeout to get him on the field for a field-goal attempt in the fourth quarter. He ran on in such a rush that he had a ski hat on under his helmet.
