Coughlin postGame Comments
We came in to win. We wanted to start fast, we did start fast, we weren’t as productive as we would have liked to be in the green zone. As I told the players, we have objectives; we wanted to rush the ball more, we were trying like heck not to have the penalties that we had, I am disappointed in the seven penalties, but we knew that this is a work in progress and the key thing was that the next play was the most important play.
Our defense played well. Our defense kept the opponent out of the end zone. We gave them bad field position, or gave ourselves bad field position on kickoff coverage a couple of times, which hurt us. Their only score came off starting a drive at midfield. We definitely have a lot of work to do.
There are a lot of things that we can clean up on that are just a little bit off that are going to have to be improved on going forward. The key thing is we opened at home, we won at home, and that is a nice way to start.
What was the one aspect of the game that really stood out to you tonight?
I believe we rushed for 140-something and Washington may have rushed for 90 or under, so that aspect of it we did a nice job with that. We didn’t get any turnovers, which boy, that is something we are working and working and working to get better at. We had the one turnover, but the defense did an outstanding job all the way around.
What can you tell us about Mathias Kiwanuka‘s injury?
I can’t tell you anything. It is just an ankle. Right now it is an ankle.
What kind of job did John Carney do tonight?
He performed well. He kicked the ball off to I think it was the three yard line, the three yard line, and then the one yard line. He made his field goals. He performed well. When called upon he did a good job and certainly his veteran experience was there for all of our players to rely on.
How would you evaluate the performances of Brandon Jacobs and Plaxico Burress?
Obviously both men had big nights, contributed very, very strongly. I think Plaxico had 10 catches and I think Jacobs had 107 yards, I believe it was. I also thought Derrick Ward contributed well when he was in the game. Obviously that is an area that we need to improve on, our completion percentage, being able to keep drives alive, and score when we get in the green zone.
How much of a lift was it that the organization was able to work out the Burress contract extension?
Everyone is pleased about that, to be honest with you.
What about the attitude of the team for the first game and not trying to be complacent after a championship?
Well, the question was asked. Sometimes I wonder if the questions are asked just to be asked and is anybody paying any attention. I didn’t see it. I didn’t see it in preseason, I didn’t see the complacency, and I didn’t see any of the Super Bowl stuff. I thought we addressed that early on, I thought the players did a nice job of it, I think there is a real hunger to win with this group, and the experience of winning is something that they want very badly. I did not… really at any time, did I have to address it. The practices weren’t always as good as you want them to be, but there is nothing unusual about that. We didn’t have to address the other issue.
What did you think of the passing game and the protection breakdowns?
I think, obviously as I said, we need to work on that. We need to work on that aspect of our game.
Was that the biggest aspect of Eli being a little bit off on some of his throws, especially in the second half tonight?
I don’t know. I think that we won the game, that is what we set out to do, and he controlled and managed the game, had the one interception, which I am sure that he is going to feel like certainly shouldn’t have been thrown, but he is the quarterback. He made a lot of very good plays as well as had a rushing touchdown. He did some things along those lines.
Are you encouraged by the play of the defensive line?
I was. We have to obviously be concerned a little bit with Kiwi here at the end and what exactly that is going to be like, but we did do what we set out to do. I am sure we will improve from here.
Does this game indicate that this team is ready to withstand adversity?
Well, what is the adversity? We went out in the opening game and won, so that is what we have done.
