New York Giants Notebook: 12.17.09

Good Morning Giants fans, here are some of the stories making the rounds in the world of the indefensible (or is it un-defensible?) New York Giants:

• The Giants are hanging their hats on one thing right now: No matter how bad things seem, it's worse for the Cowboys. I would not be so fast to agree, not until the Giants defense stops someone, anyone.
• Shaun O'Hara and Trent Cole were both fined $15K for their fight in Sunday night's game.
• The Redskins say they are worried about themselves, not playing spoiler for the Giants. If you believe this, then I would like to advocate C.C. Brown for starting safety in the Pro Bowl. I'm sure the Redskins would just love to help the Giants screw up their season.
• Sort of Giants-related, Matt Simms, son of Phil, has signed a letter of intent to play at Tennessee.
• Former Giant TE Howard Cross was voted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. Nice to see Howard getting recognized, he is one of the most underrated players to ever put on a Giants uniform.

In a conference call with the Washington media yesterday, Justin Tuck was asked if this is a must-win for the Giants: (click link for full transcript)

I think so. You never want to put that pressure on yourself especially when they say we can still make the playoffs even if we don't win all three of these. For me personally, I think that we are because of the fact that we haven't played great ball. Even if we do make the playoffs, you don't want to go into the playoffs limping. You want to go in with the confidence, knowing that you kind of righted the ship and are playing your best ball at that point in time. I think for us it's important to win these next three.

Tom Coughlin talked about his team's emotional state: (click link for full transcript)

Well, we have been excited about playing our divisional games. It has been one game after another. We had a nice win against Dallas. We came up short the other night in a high-scoring affair. I think our guys will be right back on the mark. You come together on Monday and it is a sad day. Everybody is disappointed. Everybody wants to win. Everybody does everything they think they can. It doesn't mean that you always play as well as you are capable of playing. We try to get their dabbers back up and get them refocused and knowing full well that the season gets shorter and shorter and more meaningful and more meaningful. I think our leadership will be strong. I think our guys will come back and we will have a nice week of practice. We will be excited to go down to Washington.