Coughlin: Giants Will Rise To Occasion In San Francisco
NEW YORK (WFAN) -- On Sunday, the Giants will go to battle with the 49ers in San Francisco, the scene of last season's epic NFC Championship game.
You can be sure the Niners and their fans will be out for revenge. Not that Giants coach Tom Coughlin is too concerned.
"We've been on the road in difficult situations before and done very well with that challenge that's presented," Coughlin told WFAN's Boomer Esiason and Craig Carton on Tuesday. "I think our players will rise to this occasion. ... Not only is it a big game for the 49ers, it's a big game for the Giants as well."
LISTEN: Tom Coughlin with Boomer & Carton
(You can download the entire interview HERE.)
Coughlin has good reason to be optimistic. The Super Bowl champions are coming off a 41-point winning effort against the Cleveland Browns, and New York is undefeated in games immediately following the coach's annual Jay Fund "Champions For Children" Gala, which is set for this Friday at Cipriani in Midtown.
Big Blue will look to improve the statistical oddity to 8-0 this Sunday. But first, many will be on hand to support Coughlin and his foundation, which was founded to help families of children with cancer with financial and emotional support.
"I'm very, very proud of our guys for doing that," said Coughlin. "The Giants organization, the Mara and Tisch families, have done an incredible job of supporting the Jay Fund. And our players have really rallied around this theme."
"When we bring children here who have cancer ... and we bring them to a practice, the players are terrific in terms of rallying around those young people, trying to make them feel as comfortable and as happy as they possibly can at that particular time," he added. "And you're touched by that type of thing."
As for the game, Coughlin wasn't sure whether he'd have Hakeem Nicks on the field. The wide receiver has missed three consecutive games with lingering foot and knee issues.
"He certainly is a guy that wants to play, and he's very anxious to play," said Coughlin. "He's got a very good demeanor about him, you know, he's anxious to get back in there and support his teammates. We just have to take this thing week-to-week. It's a medical issue and as soon as he can play, no question he will."
Defensive tackle Chris Canty also has the itch to get back on the field. Canty said Monday he'd "absolutely" be ready to play as soon as he's eligible to come off the physically unable to perform list -- that would be next week against the Washington Redskins.
Coughlin sounded optimistic, but wouldn't make any guarantees.
"He's got a little time to go," he said. "But very, very shortly Chris will be ready to go -- and we're looking forward to getting him back."
Your early prediction for Giants-Niners? Let us know in the comments below!
