The later it gets in the season, the longer players need to be at the team facility. This is advice from veteran punter Steve Weatherford, aimed most specifically at the younger players on the Giants’ roster.
“I think our effort has been great,’’ Weatherford said. “As a group maybe everybody needs to spend a little more time here during the week. As the season goes on, people are getting more tired and there are more injuries.
“We have a lot of young guys on this team and I think maybe the older guys need to teach the younger guys that later in the season you need to spend a little more time studying film and taking care of your body because we plan on playing late into January.’’
* Tom Coughlin yesterday sounded somewhat incredulous anyone would wonder why a day earlier he said he believes the Giants must win their final four games of the season in order to win the NFC East and make the playoffs.
“In the beginning we needed to win all 16,’’ Coughlin said. “What would you expect me to say?.”
* Of the 11 players on the injury report, four did not practice: TE Travis Beckum (knee), RB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot), S Kenny Phillips (knee) and S Tyler Sash (ankle). Three linebackers, Chase Blackburn (ankle), Michael Boley (shoulder) and Jacquian Williams (knee) were limited. Instead of a full practice, Coughlin called it “a glorified jog-through’’ just two days after the Monday night loss to the Redskins. …
* With Sean Locklear lost for the rest of the season with a serious knee injury that requires surgery, David Diehl moves back into the starting right tackle spot.
“Playing in every game like I have and missing games to injury, I never like that and I’m never going to get used to that regardless of what the situation, the circumstance is,’’ Diehl said. “To be back and to do this, I’m excited to get back on the football field and playing.’’
Locklear was placed on IR yesterday and OL Selvish Capers was signed off the practice squd to takes his place on the roster.
* With Sean Payton suspended for the entire season for his involvement in the Saints’ bounty scandal, interim coach Joe Vitt said it has been “very difficult’’ to not have any contact with Payton.
“Number one he’s my friend first and number two he’s my head coach second,’’ Vitt said. “Nothing has taken the place of my relationship with him. It’s like a giant hole in my chest.”