Several defensive players — most notably Antonio Pierce and Justin Tuck — this past week mentioned communication problems as part of the reason for the breakdowns in recent weeks as the Giants allowed 48 points to the Saints and weren’t any better in last week’s 40-17 loss to the Eagles.
If that’s the case, it’s not apparent to the man in charge.
“You have to ask them, I don’t know what they’re talking about,” defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan said yesterday when asked about any communication problems. “They haven’t come to me regarding that. They could explain to you what they’re referring to. If there is I’d love to hear about it.”
Heeding Sheridan’s suggestion, Tuck was asked for a clarification.
“Certain plays where we might have been not necessarily on the same page but we’ve gotten that straight,” Tuck said. “We’ve had a great week of practice so far as far as linebackers, safety and corners, defensive line being on the same page.”
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There have been no setbacks for LB Michael Boley (knee) and DT Chris Canty (calf). Both practiced and are set to make their returns on Sunday vs. the Chargers. . . . The only players not practicing were CB Aaron Ross (hamstring) and RB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot). Ross will not play on Sunday, but Bradshaw will.
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Sheridan did not discount the possibility that one of his cornerbacks might move to safety when Ross returns following the bye week. Ross or Terrell Thomas would be the options.
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Tuck, a lifelong Yankees fan, even though he grew up in Alabama, proudly wore a Mariano Rivera World Series edition No. 42 jersey.
“I already got a [Derek] Jeter, so I thought I’d get this,” Tuck said. “I’m not a bandwagon guy. Everybody’s going, ‘Go get a [Mark] Teixiera.’ I love Teixeria too. He’ll be next.”
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Former Giants QB Phil Simms will call the game on CBS along with Jim Nantz and believes Eli Manning’s recent struggles (six interceptions in the three-game losing streak) are linked to the plantar fasciitis in his right foot.
“Eli has never made one excuse, but any time you hurt the knee, the ankle, the foot of an NFL quarterback, it’s a problem,” Simms said. “So it’s going to affect his throwing and lots of things. It’s going to affect his accuracy. It’s going to affect the stress on his arm. It’s going to affect practice time. So you know no matter what anybody says — it’s a factor.”