GIANT NOTES
There was no tap on the shoulder from one of the assistant coaches, no heads-up from Tom Coughlin. The way Willie Ponder found out that he had lost his kick returner job was to take a look at the depth chart and see his name dropped on the list.
“I don’t know what the reason is, they haven’t given me a reason, that’s how it is,” Ponder said yesterday.
Ponder last season led the NFL in kickoff return average and this year is averaging 27 yards per return, tops in the NFC and third in the league.
Against the Vikings, he committed the sin of fumbling away the opening kickoff. Last Sunday, he wasn’t even in uniform, as his job was given to Chad Morton, who previously was only handling punt returns. Morton averaged 22 yards on his three kickoff returns in the victory over the Eagles.
Coughlin explained that the fumble was not the reason why Ponder was yanked from the role, saying the return game needed a “jump-start.”
Coughlin yesterday said “I haven’t lost any confidence in Willie Ponder” and when asked if Ponder would be on the field on Sunday in Seattle, added “We’ll see.”
Ponder admitted that ball security is his primary responsibility and that his fumble on the opening kickoff “started us off wrong.” Still, he was blind-sided by the demotion.
“I feel like I was doing well, I feel like I was getting better and better every time I got out there,” Ponder said. “I’ve been productive, but maybe the coaches need a different look. I’m not upset about it or nothing, Chad’s going to do a good job of returning kicks. Like I always do since I’ve been a Giant, I have to wait my turn, be patient and continue working hard.”
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CB Curtis Deloatch came down with the newest injury to hit the Giants, a turf-burn infection in his leg that landed him in the hospital Tuesday night. Deloatch was hooked up to an IV and was expected to leave the hospital either last night or today.
“Hopefully, he’ll come to the stadium and get to work,” Coughlin said.
TE Jeremy Shockey continues to be bothered by a bruised chest and did not practice. He’s listed as questionable. Also not practicing and questionable was C Shaun O’Hara. LT Luke Petitgout (knee) was able to work, as was DE Michael Strahan (sore neck). LB Reggie Torbor (hernia) and S Shaun Williams (hamstring) are out.
David Tyree was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his blocked punt that led to a touchdown against the Eagles.
This is the Thanksgiving plan for Strahan: “I’m going to eat some turkey and watch other people beat up on themselves and enjoy it.”
Coughlin praised the news that GM Ernie Accorsi will return for at least one more season.
“It’s good news for all of us Giants,” Coughlin said. “He is a guy I can go to and cut through a lot of questions to get right to the point.”