Relieved Coughlin Says Giants' Rookies Starting To Pay Dividends
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) — It's been a long time since Tom Coughlin had a chance to enjoy the day after a game — a real long time.
Coughlin wasn't able to put his feet on his desk Monday in the wake of a 36-7 win over the Tennessee Titans. There were game tapes to review, meetings with coaches, front office and medical personnel and the little things that go into being a head coach.
What wasn't hanging over his head were questions about the Giants' losing streak. It ended at seven on Sunday.
There were no questions about what he said to the team to boost their moral or even ones about his own future as the Giants' coach with the team (4-9) not making the playoffs for a third straight season.
There was good news, too. Eli Manning seemingly came out of the game healthy.
"Monday's are hectic, probably a more difficult day for a head coach more than a lot of days because your emotions don't go away," Coughlin said.
"The build-up to the game, the game itself, the emotions, win or lose, the emotions are certainly different. The next day when you lose is an extremely difficult day because you have all of these emotions on top of the facts of the day before, and you are striving to make the corrections and pull people together and understand why you didn't win, etc., etc., etc."
The Giants' win was their first since the opening weekend in October.
"When you win, it reinforces what you are doing and it does make for a better day," Coughlin said.
If there was any concern after the game, it was Manning's health. He wasn't sacked in the game and didn't seem to hurt himself. However, the 33-year-old seemed to spend more time than normal in the trainer's room after the game having his shoulder examined.
Coughlin said his belief was that Manning was sore and was icing his shoulder as a precaution. Since the players were off Monday, Manning would not be back in the building until Tuesday.
"He will start out in the weight room and if he needs to stop in the training room, he will do that," Coughlin said. "It is normally just maintenance for him. I am not speaking out of turn, I don't know a lot about anything else. No one seems to be overly concerned."
The other positive for the Giants was the play of their young players, particularly the rookies.
First-round draft pick Odell Beckham Jr. had 11 catches for 130 yards and a touchdown. Second-round pick Weston Richburg had a solid game at left guard, while third-round pick Jay Bromley was in the rotation in the defensive line.
"It is encouraging, because long have we invested in their playing time," Coughlin said.
Fourth-round pick Andre Williams ran for a career-best 131 yards, including a 50-yard TD run, and fifth-round choice Devon Kennard came from his linebacker spot to record his second straight game with two sacks.
"In order to advance this team, these young guys have got to get great experience and they are starting to get it," Coughlin said.
Second-year defensive end Damontre Moore also made the most of his expanded playing time, getting two of the team's eight sacks.
"We still bust our tails all week, watching film, putting in long hours, having practices and running around," Manning told WFAN's Mike Francesa on Monday. "You get to the end of the season it's even more tough. Your body is sore; your mind is tired, but we are fighting through it. Guys are treating it like every other week. Every game is important. You want to go out there and do your job well and be rewarded with a win."
NOTES: Tennessee's 207 total yards and 61 yards rushing were the fewest allowed by the Giants this season. ... Despite missing the first four games with a hamstring injury, Beckham leads the Giants in receptions (59) and yards receiving (829). DE Jason Pierre-Paul leads the team with seven sacks after getting two more Sunday.
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