There is lots of New York Giants stuff to talk about today. So, I hope you have some time on your hands as we wind our way toward the weekend. We'll go topic-by-topic.
Lawrence Tynes and his "shaken" confidence
If you play golf, which I do, you know what it is like to stand over a seemingly simple three-foot putt with a million thoughts running through your head and zero belief that you can actually put the ball in the hole. Or, to tee off and hit what feels and looks like a solid drive only to have it go 50 yards left or right of your intended target simply because you lined yourself up incorrectly.
These are the analogies I can draw with what seems to be going on with Tynes right now.
"His confidence is shaken, but the team has a lot of confidence in him. He just has to go out and make some kicks," said special teams coach Tom Quinn. "You fall into some bad habits at times and you’ve got to work yourself out of it."
Quinn said Tynes has -- somehow -- not been aligning himself correctly on his field goals. I can understand a weekend golfer screwing up his alignment, but I don't get how a a veteran kicker like Tynes can suddenly not know how to line himself up to kick a short field goal.
""Those are kicks that have to be made in this league. I have to make those kicks because in December and January those are going to be huge kicks, huge points, especially when you are playing some of those NFC East opponents. I am just going to keep grinding and I will make those kicks from here on out. It’s to the point where you just go to kick it. Don’t aim it, don’t try and guide it in there," Tynes said.
"It’s something I need to fix, for sure. It’s bothering me. I am letting the team down. Those are points that should be automatic on the board."
The slow start of Brandon Jacobs
Brandon Jacobs bristled Thursday when asked about the comments made by FOX commentator Tony Siragusa that he wasn't running hard enough. "Next question, please. I don’t want to talk about Tony Siragusa. Not at all. Not worth it," Jacobs said.
Jacobs said simply that he is trying to stay patient and wait for his blocks.
"I feel like I’m running the same way I was running last year. Getting a little bit smarter, being patient, let the scheme happen for me. You just can’t run in there and think that you can outrun your blocks," he said. "It is going to come together for me, I am not pushing it, I am not rushing. It is going to start popping open for me. It’s a long season."
Interestingly, it might be that patience that has been somewhat detrimental to Jacobs thus far.
Here is Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride discussing Jacobs first three games.
"I see a guy that is still energetic, is physical, is passionate about doing whatever he can to help us win. If there is an error that is slowing him down, it is because he wants to be perfect. He is trying to make the perfect read, if that is it. If there is anything, that would be it, he is just trying so hard to do everything perfectly," Gilbride said. "Sometimes you just have to trust your instincts and go out and play. But I certainly don’t see anybody that is tip-toeing."
FOX commentator Daryl Johnston, who was in the booth for Sunday's game against Tampa Bay, made a similar observation.
"He's such a unique style of running back that I don't think he's using his best asset, the things that separate him," Johnston said. "He's too big and too physical to be able to be stopped for two yards or less that many times (32 times in 58 carries). That's a guy who's looking for the home run, a guy looking for that big play."
My take: In the end, as long as Jacobs is healthy, I think his numbers will be pretty much what they have been the past couple of seasons. As for Sunday, there might be a couple of Kansas City defensive backs who will wish Jacobs hadn't spent the week answering questions about his running style.
Kenny Phillips update
Ernie Palladino has the details on safety Phillips, who made an appearance at practice Thursday following knee surgery earlier in the week.
"The surgery was quick (less than two hours), but the rehab is the most important thing. It’s one of the longest rehabs; they said it will be four to five months before I can run. They said it’s real boring; it’s like watching paint dry. It’s not painful, just long. I definitely want to get back to being 100 percent and get back on the field. I am going to do everything they say I should do.
"The surgery went well, all our trainers feel that this is something I can definitely recover from and come back 100 percent. So I am feeling good about it."
From tyrant to terrific, Coughlin perception takes new direction
This is a great piece by Mike Freeman of CBS Sports. My only question is, where have you been, Mike? Everybody else was writing this story two years ago.
Other Odds 'n Ends
- Both Fred Robbins and David Diehl have updated their blogs.
- ESPN's Matt Mosley thinks the NFC East -- with the exception of the Giants -- was overrated when the season began.
- Tight end Kevin Boss is looking for a breakout game.
- Rookie wide receiver Hakeem Nicks is ready to get back into game action.
- Cornerback Terrell Thomas making the most of his opportunity.
- Plaxico Burress has been moved to a different prison.