Tom Coughlin, 09.10.09

We did elect three captains yesterday. I would be proud to announce that the three captains that were unanimously selected: specials teams Jeff Feagles, defense Antonio Pierce, and offense Eli Manning.  Players voted after meetings yesterday afternoon.  They certainly had a very strong statement about who they want to be as their leaders.  We also have our leadership council, as you know.  And so I feel good about that.  We may do some game captains along the way as well. But the three voted captains the players spoke very strongly about.  No change at all in the injury status.  I don’t know what else you could ask me.  I think I have answered every question.

Q:  RE:  Kevin Dockery

A:  They are still holding out that he is going to make it.  He goes through a jog thru.  He has got some issues but he moved better today than he did yesterday.

Q:  No hope for Ross?

A:  No, I don’t think so.  Not after today. 

Q:  If Dockery can’t go, that means you are going to start an undrafted rookie?

A:  That’s what it means. That’s it.  It has happened before.

Q:  Has he shown you enough this preseason to make you believe he can contribute?

A:  Well, he has made the team.  And as I say, compared to players that we have had in that slot in years past, he is very much in the mix. 

Q:   Dockery as a nickel back?

A:  We’ll see.  We’ll see how that goes.

Q:  Terrell Thomas said he is going to start.

A:  We’ll see how that goes.  No, he will start.

Q:  How about the weakside linebacker?  Blackburn?  Wilkinson?

A:  We’ll see. We’ll see how that goes.

Q:  Overall, is there a difference in feeling coming into a season coming off a Super Bowl as opposed to coming in off a playoff loss?

A:  Well, I think there are different questions being asked by the media all summer long and all winter long about the two situations.  On the one hand you have the questions that are asked about complacency and satisfaction and on the other hand you have the questions about how does your team feel about the disappointing loss in the playoffs.  So you have two different mindsets, really.  But as opening day appears, those things pale in comparison to the excitement that goes along with the start of the regular season.  So that is where we are.

Q:  Which of the two is a better motivating factor for your players?

A:  Oh, I don’t know.  I think they are both very – you take a position as to what your objectives are no matter what the situation is and the players are focused on all of those slogans and those comments and motivational features that you might give in regard to either one of those.  So I wouldn’t be able to separate which one.  I think the players become motivated on their own circumstance.