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Monday, August 27, 2007
BY MIKE GARAFOLO
Star-Ledger Staff
Tom Coughlin has many critics when it comes to his coaching style and on-field decisions. But there's no question he can spin a glaring weakness on his team with a little coachspeak.
He tried again yesterday when asked about the Giants' two kickers missing a combined three field goals Saturday night against the Jets.
"The one thing I will say as you try to build a case here against the kickers is the ball was struck well," Coughlin said on a conference call with reporters. "We were errant with the location and accuracy, but the ball was struck well."
All of you struggling golfers feel free to use that one next weekend -- courtesy of Coughlin -- when you crush a drive 225 yards into the thickest tree line on the course.
And then give yourself a free drop in the fairway.
Fact is, the Giants have a problem with their kicking situation. With Jay Feely in Miami after signing with the Dolphins in March, Lawrence Tynes and Josh Huston haven't done much to win a job.
Yes, Tynes' missed field goal from 43 yards was partly the result of a bad snap from Jay Alford and a hold by backup punter Cory Ohnesorge that left the laces inside instead of facing outward. But Tynes, who made a 40-yarder, missed his first attempt wide right from 40 yards. Huston also shanked his wide right from 42.
Combine Saturday's performance with only one touchback in 11 kickoffs combined this preseason, plus plenty of missed field goals during training camp in Albany and, well, Huston (and Tynes), we have a problem.
"I missed it. That's the bottom line. You've got to put it through the pipes," Huston, who made field goals of 50 and 30 yards last week against the Ravens, said of his miss on Saturday.
Said Tynes: "I thought I did what I could with what was given to me (on Saturday) and what's been given to us all camp. We don't get near the work that other guys get. But then again, I'm making excuses. We've got to make the kick."
Coughlin indicated the team won't bring in any veterans for a tryout this week because the team has only two days of practice before Thursday's preseason finale in New England.
But that doesn't mean the Giants won't scan the waiver wire, or that Jerry Reese won't make his third trade since being named general manager in January. (Reese acquired Tynes from the Chiefs in May for a conditional seventh-round pick, which the team won't have to send Kansas City's way if Tynes doesn't make the team.)
The Packers recently called the Giants to offer either one of their kickers, Mason Crosby or Dave Rayner, for a low draft pick, according to someone familiar with the discussions between the teams. The person, who requested anonymity because trade talks could pick up in the future, said the Giants told Green Bay they were comfortable with their kicking situation.
That was before Saturday night. The Giants could choose to wait for the Packers to cut Crosby or Rayner, as well as a few other teams to release kickers before the season.
Or maybe Tynes and Huston will quickly turn things around now that two-a-day practices are over and they can spend more time before and after practice on field goals.
"I certainly was disappointed because the nine points were the difference makers," Coughlin said of the Giants' 20-12 loss. "But hopefully we can improve upon that."
Notes: CB E.J. Underwood, a player Coughlin said the team wanted to "take a long, hard look at" on Saturday night, broke his jaw one year after a shoulder injury against the Jets ended his rookie season. Underwood, who suffered the injury on a punt return, will undergo surgery and will likely be placed on injured reserve....
LB Kawika Mitchell, who strained his groin on Saturday, "had some strength" yesterday, according to Coughlin. "Hopefully that's going to be something we can control," the coach added. With Mitchell likely out and LB Gerris Wilkinson recovering from a knee injury suffered early in camp, Reggie Torbor will be the starter on the weak side for now.
Mike Garafolo may be reached at mgarafolo@starledger.com
BY MIKE GARAFOLO
Star-Ledger Staff
Tom Coughlin has many critics when it comes to his coaching style and on-field decisions. But there's no question he can spin a glaring weakness on his team with a little coachspeak.
He tried again yesterday when asked about the Giants' two kickers missing a combined three field goals Saturday night against the Jets.
"The one thing I will say as you try to build a case here against the kickers is the ball was struck well," Coughlin said on a conference call with reporters. "We were errant with the location and accuracy, but the ball was struck well."
All of you struggling golfers feel free to use that one next weekend -- courtesy of Coughlin -- when you crush a drive 225 yards into the thickest tree line on the course.
And then give yourself a free drop in the fairway.
Fact is, the Giants have a problem with their kicking situation. With Jay Feely in Miami after signing with the Dolphins in March, Lawrence Tynes and Josh Huston haven't done much to win a job.
Yes, Tynes' missed field goal from 43 yards was partly the result of a bad snap from Jay Alford and a hold by backup punter Cory Ohnesorge that left the laces inside instead of facing outward. But Tynes, who made a 40-yarder, missed his first attempt wide right from 40 yards. Huston also shanked his wide right from 42.
Combine Saturday's performance with only one touchback in 11 kickoffs combined this preseason, plus plenty of missed field goals during training camp in Albany and, well, Huston (and Tynes), we have a problem.
"I missed it. That's the bottom line. You've got to put it through the pipes," Huston, who made field goals of 50 and 30 yards last week against the Ravens, said of his miss on Saturday.
Said Tynes: "I thought I did what I could with what was given to me (on Saturday) and what's been given to us all camp. We don't get near the work that other guys get. But then again, I'm making excuses. We've got to make the kick."
Coughlin indicated the team won't bring in any veterans for a tryout this week because the team has only two days of practice before Thursday's preseason finale in New England.
But that doesn't mean the Giants won't scan the waiver wire, or that Jerry Reese won't make his third trade since being named general manager in January. (Reese acquired Tynes from the Chiefs in May for a conditional seventh-round pick, which the team won't have to send Kansas City's way if Tynes doesn't make the team.)
The Packers recently called the Giants to offer either one of their kickers, Mason Crosby or Dave Rayner, for a low draft pick, according to someone familiar with the discussions between the teams. The person, who requested anonymity because trade talks could pick up in the future, said the Giants told Green Bay they were comfortable with their kicking situation.
That was before Saturday night. The Giants could choose to wait for the Packers to cut Crosby or Rayner, as well as a few other teams to release kickers before the season.
Or maybe Tynes and Huston will quickly turn things around now that two-a-day practices are over and they can spend more time before and after practice on field goals.
"I certainly was disappointed because the nine points were the difference makers," Coughlin said of the Giants' 20-12 loss. "But hopefully we can improve upon that."
Notes: CB E.J. Underwood, a player Coughlin said the team wanted to "take a long, hard look at" on Saturday night, broke his jaw one year after a shoulder injury against the Jets ended his rookie season. Underwood, who suffered the injury on a punt return, will undergo surgery and will likely be placed on injured reserve....
LB Kawika Mitchell, who strained his groin on Saturday, "had some strength" yesterday, according to Coughlin. "Hopefully that's going to be something we can control," the coach added. With Mitchell likely out and LB Gerris Wilkinson recovering from a knee injury suffered early in camp, Reggie Torbor will be the starter on the weak side for now.
Mike Garafolo may be reached at mgarafolo@starledger.com
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