Tom Coughlin, 09.01.09

Q: Were you and Osi (Umenyiora) able to put everything behind you?

A: Yes, we had a good discussion. Osi came in yesterday afternoon. We sat down, we had an opportunity to say what needed to be said and he was very good about it. He was humble, indicated that he knew he was wrong. He apologized, we had some thoughts exchanged about going forward and he had an opportunity to meet with Bill Sheridan and his position coach Mike Waufle as well. Those conversations, although I was not in the room, were again in the spirit of trying to get better. That’s what everybody is here for, everybody is here to try and be the best possible team we can be and there is absolutely nothing but good feelings about this one. When we talk about team we are all trying to be the best we can be and be the part of…‘one team, one chance’ is what we talk about. It was very good that Osi did come in. That issue has been resolved. We put that behind us and we are moving forward.

Q: Are you confident that this type of thing won’t happen again?

A: Oh, I’m very confident it won’t happen again.

Q: Was Osi unhappy with Bill Sheridan or did something happen?

A. No, I don’t think so. I think he (Osi Umenyiora) got emotional and did something that he wished he didn’t do, but he did it.

Q. Will he be punished at all?

A. That is between the player and myself.

Q. Did he come back in on his own or did you ask him to come in?

A. He came back in.

Q. Is it natural to have an adjustment period when there is a new coordinator?

A. There’s always that type of thing, I would say, but I don’t know if this is any type of adjustment here. It’s the process of preseason, trying to get better and the thing about it is and the point that was made is the communication part. Everybody is a man here. If you have something that needs to be discussed, you go ahead and make an appointment and get that discussed.  That’s where we left it.

Q. Do you consider Osi one of the leaders of the team and did you have that conversation with him?

A. I do, and he’s very much aware of that.

Q. Did he say anything to the team at all and apologize to them?

A. I don’t know. There was no calling of the team together that I know of, but I do know that he was interested in speaking to individuals one on one and I believe he took care of that.

Q. You mentioned Bill Sheridan. What affect did this have on him?

A. I don’t think it had any effect. Obviously his concern is for the best interest of the player, for the best interest of our team. I think once the conversation between Bill (Sheridan) and Osi (Umenyiora) took place, everyone felt good about that.

Q. Any thought about how many series Eli (Manning) might play against New England?

A. We’ll see how that goes. Normally in this game we play about a quarter with the starters, but there are a couple of thoughts that I have had about the various positions that I’m going to think further about before I decide.

Q. Will the two young quarterbacks (Andre Woodson and Rhett Bomar) get most of the work?

A. Yes, they will get work, that’s for sure.

Q. Roughly speaking, about how many roster spots could be won or lost in this game?

A. To tell you the truth, I wouldn’t even be able to put a number on that. There are a number of situations when you stop and think about how your team is going to be put together that have an opportunity in this game to assert themselves and leave a very good impression and influence perhaps the final roster. So that’s the way I look at it.

Q. David Tyree expressed yesterday that he felt like he needed to be out there tomorrow night but I know he wasn’t practicing today. Does he have a shot at playing?

A. I don’t think he does, no. The medical people have decided that he’s not ready.

Q. (Chris) Canty just did individual stuff?

A: Canty just did individual, which was encouraging. We took him around and introduced him to the other players. (Laughs) He had shoulder pads and we tried to help him put those on. He worked and it was good to see him out there. He was good about it too, his attitude was great.

Q. Are you inclined to hold (Antonio) Pierce out?

A: Not necessarily, but I’m not going to tell you exactly how that’s going to go. I’m going to think about that and talk to medical people a couple more times.

Q. Do you have thoughts about how many quarterbacks you want to keep?

A. Yes.

Q. And they are? (Laughs)

A. Next question.

Q. David Tyree sounded like a guy who felt he was in a lot of danger on the roster. I know he means a lot to this organization. Whatever the decision is do you anticipate that being an emotional or difficult one for you?

A. Well, I don’t know what that decision is just yet. You will have to wait and see on that.

Q. With (Andre) Woodson we know he had a good spring, decent training camp. How do you think he played in the preseason games this year?

A. Um, good and bad. He has had some good plays. His practices, by and large, have been good. I think that’s the solid impression that we have.

Q. You would like to see that maybe translate to the playing field?

A. Like to.

Q. With (David) Diehl and (Guy) Whimper out today we saw (William) Beatty with the first team. Was that just something you wanted to see today or does (Kevin) Boothe move outside or something like that for the game?

A. Well, we have had Boothe at tackle, we have that option.  Beatty obviously was drafted as a left tackle. He has the athleticism, he just needs time. The good thing about it is when he is in there he’s either next to Boothe, who’s at the guard, or next to Richie (Seubert), who’s at the guard, so you can have a quick half-second point out if that is necessary. The confidence factor, because of communication, I think is better. So that will help him come along, too.