Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell praised Prince Amukamara’s performance in practice this week, and said the struggling rookie cornerback could be on the field more in tomorrow night’s do-or-die regular-season finale against the Cowboys.
The first-round pick will be looking to atone for his poor play against the Cowboys three weeks ago.
“I’m definitely licking my chops, and I definitely want to redeem myself,” Amukamara said yesterday.
In the game in Dallas on Dec. 11, Amukamara was burned for a 74-yard completion to wideout Laurent Robinson, a fourth-quarter play that helped the Cowboys take a 27-22 lead. Amukamara then had a brutal game the following week against the Redskins, and estimated he played just six snaps last week against the Jets.
“We’ll probably change up this week,” Fewell said. “Prince has had a very good week of practice this week. So you may see more of him.”
Said Amukamara, “I felt this week of practice was very good for me … mentally and just flowing to the ball. Whenever my number’s dialed up, I’ll be ready.”
* LB Mark Herzlich, who has missed the past four games with a high ankle sprain and what he called “a little chip on the bone,” will be out again tomorrow. But the rookie said returning for next weekend’s potential playoff game would be an option.
“That’s been kind of the hope the whole time,” Herzlich said.
TE Jake Ballard (knee) also is out tomorrow. DE Osi Umenyiora (ankle/knee) was limited in practice and is questionable. After sitting out Wednesday and Thursday, RB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot) and WR Hakeem Nicks (hamstring) participated on a limited basis in practice and are probable. WR Mario Manningham (knee) is probable.
* Coach Tom Coughlin gushed last Saturday about how his defense practiced heading into the Jets game.
Coughlin said he also was pleased with how the unit looked the last few days, too.
“They had a good week of practice again. Good week.”
* Jets LB Aaron Maybin was not fined for his late hit on Giants RB D.J. Ware last Saturday.