NFL

Mara ‘proud’ of way Big Blue bounced back

The word co-owner John Mara used more than once was “proud’’ to describe his feelings for what has transpired this season, how the Giants did not fall apart and fracture after their 0-6 start. His Giants, now 4-6, this weekend look to climb into a second-place tie with the Cowboys in the NFC East.

“We were all disappointed and surprised by the slow start,” Mara said. “I am proud of the way this team stuck together. We always want to play meaningful games around and after Thanksgiving, and that’s exactly what we have this Sunday in MetLife Stadium. I’m proud of the way the team has stuck together. That is a tribute to the head coach and the leadership in the locker room.

“As the players and our head coach have said repeatedly over the last month, we are taking it one game at a time. We’re moving forward and, as our coach has urged the team to do, doing our best to keep the dream alive.”

It is supposed to be cold and windy on Sunday, and the last time the Giants played in heavy wind, punter Steve Weatherford struggled mightily against the Raiders.

“I’m just going to go out there and stick with my technique and not try to make too many adjustments,’’ Weatherford said. “Just go out there and strike the ball well. If I hit it well into the wind, it should go 35 or 40 yards, and when you flip it around I’ll be going between 50 and 60. I think those should offset each other and as long as we get out of there with a 40-yard net, I’m happy.’’


The Giants have seven players on their injury report and every one of them practiced Thursday on a limited basis, meaning every player on the roster was healthy enough to work. Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder), fullback John Conner (hip), running back Brandon Jacobs (knee), cornerback Trumaine McBride (hip), wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (abdomen), cornerback Terrell Thomas (knee) and cornerback Corey Webster (groin/ankle) all were able to participate. All but Webster are expected to play Sunday.


Michael Strahan and George Young are among the 25 semifinalist being considered for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2014. … Giants patriarch Wellington Mara, eight years after his death, will be recognized on Friday by the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Allstate Insurance Company in New York as part of “Hometown Hall of Famers. Mara will be honored with his “Hometown Hall of Famer” plaque during a ceremony in the auditorium at Loyola School in Manhattan. Mara was a graduate of the school before attending Fordham University.