Coughlin: Stevie Brown was benched in favor of Nat Berhe

Stevie Brown went to the bench in favor of rookie safety Nat Berhe after allowing a 44-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter Sunday against the Houston Texans. Asked about that on Monday, New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin didn't pull punches.

"We made a position change there and that's all I'm going to say about that."

In other words, Brown got benched for poor play. Berhe played the entire fourth quarter.

Brown, playing deep center field, allowed Damaris Johnson of the Texans to run right past by him and catch a long strike from Ryan Fitzpatrick -- the Texans only real offense of the day. Brown, who missed all of last season with a torn ACL, has not shown the same explosiveness he had when he intercepted eight passes in 2012.

Brown's passer rating against for the day was 158.3, with two completion in two targets. He surrendered 21 yards after catch. Brown's passer rating against for the season is also 158.3. You will recall he was victimized by the Detroit Lions in Week 1 for a 67-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Johnson, running himself out of position and slamming into Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

Berhe was a fifth-round pick, 152nd overall, out of San Diego State.

It will be interesting to see who plays Thursday and, if Brown starts, whether or not he is on a short leash.