Thomas injury has Ross back as Giants starter; Williams signed

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Veteran Brian Williams, 32, who has played with Minnesota, Jacksonville and Atlanta, was signed by the New York Giants Wednesday to address their urgent needs at the cornerback position.

"He is a veteran who knows how to play," coach Tom Coughlin said of Williams. "He has been a good physical blitzer, and we are in need of someone who can learn quick and go from there."

Williams has played in 128 regular-season games with 99 starts. He has 19 career interceptions. Last season, he played in all 16 games with one start for the Falcons.

To make room for Williams, the Giants waived linebacker Kenny Ingram.

The Giants secondary has been in a state of upheaval during the preseason. Starter Terrell Thomas, last year's leading tackler on the team, was lost for the season with a knee injury suffered during last weekend's preseason game against the Bears. And first-round pick Prince Amukamara is sidelined with a broken foot.

Aaron Ross is another player who will be counted on to fill the gap in New York's secondary.

Ross came to training camp as the somewhat forgotten man among the cornerbacks.

Corey Webster and Thomas were the returning starters and general manager Jerry Reese didn't hesitate to take Amukamara in the first round when the Nebraska cornerback was available with the 19th pick overall.

It left Ross in no man's land. The Giants' first-round pick in 2007 was down on the depth chart and fighting the stigma of being injury-prone the past two seasons. He missed a good part of 2009 with hamstring issues and battled a painful foot injury most of last season.

Three weeks into training camp, though, Ross is no longer an afterthought. With Amukamara and Thomas sidelined, Ross is back in a starting role and anxious to show people what he can do.

"Being out there on the outside and being able to make plays and show the coaches I can make plays, and the fans, the media, it is exciting," said Ross, who has the added motivation of being in the final year of his contract.

Ross said his biggest concern this season is staying healthy. If he does, he has no doubt about his ability to play.

"I am really confident in myself to tell you the truth," Ross said. "I know what I can do. As long as I stay healthy I know that I am fine. Coaches haven't seen me healthy in two years, the fans or you guys. Of course, y'all forget.

"But I know what I can do."

Ross had three interceptions in each of his first two seasons, but has not had one since 2008.

"I think I am a decent player," Ross, 28, said. "They drafted me here for a reason. So, as long as I am healthy, I believe I can be a positive impact on the field."

Ross, who is married to track star and Olympic gold medalist Sanya Richards, is taking added precautions to stay healthy. He used to keep stretching to a minimum. His approach is totally different now.

"I have a guy coming in that stretches me, gets the knots out, pretty much everything," Ross said. "I put everything in the basket and am letting it go."

The injury to Thomas also has given opportunities to players like Michael Coe, rookie Darnell Burks and first-year pro Joe Burnett, who had little chance of making the roster at the start of camp.

"My mindset has always been to prepare to play and try to get comfortable doing everything and when you get the opportunity, be ready," said Coe, a former Arkansas Razorback, who is now No. 3 on the depth chart after spending part of last season with the Giants. "You never know the circumstances. You have to have the mindset of trying to absorb as much as you can.

"I am a lot more comfortable in this defense. It's similar to the one I had in college."

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Giants' Umenyiora gets work in, leaves to have knee examined

Two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora is showing some signs that he might be ready to practice with the New York Giants.

For the first time in almost a week, Umenyiora worked with team trainers at practice Wednesday, simulating snap counts. The 29-year-old, who hasn't practiced since reporting to training camp a day late on July 30, got down in his stance and made pass-rushing moves during his session.

Umenyiora looked explosive coming off the ball during the roughly 5-to-10 minute workout, showing no signs that his left knee was bothering him.

The nine-year veteran is upset the Giants have not reworked his contract, which will pay him $7.1 million over its final two years. He alleged that general manager Jerry Reese said after last season that the team would rework the contract. The former Troy product had 11.5 sacks last season and a league-high 10 forced fumbles.

After the workout, Umenyiora walked into the team's indoor practice facility for a couple of minutes and then came out and sat on a stationary bike while teammates practiced.

Roughly 40 minutes into the team's practice, Umenyiora peeled off his No. 72 jersey and walked off the field into the Giants' headquarters. He told NFL Network's Scott Hanson he was headed for a flight to Atlanta to have the knee examined.

A person familiar with Umenyiora’s status told The Star-Ledger (Newark, N.J.) he is dealing with a meniscus cartilage issue that could require surgery. The person requested anonymity because the extent of the injury has not been made public.

Umenyiora didn't immediately return an email from The Associated Press seeking comment.

Coach Tom Coughlin sounded optimistic that Umenyiora might practice soon.

"I hope we get some closure on that chapter and start on the new one," he said, adding that he has talked to Umenyiora frequently, encouraged him and told him to try to get on the field as soon as possible.

Coughlin reiterated that Umenyiora had issues with his hip last season and not his knee.

"I am thinking that whatever is in the best interest of our team right now, that's the only thing I've thought about," Coughlin said. "We will manage whatever we have to manage. We've done it. Like I said, the hip -- we couldn't practice both Wednesday and Thursday (last season) so we practiced one day under those circumstances. So if there's an issue here, we'll find a way to work with the issue. We'll find a way to get the player in the best position he could be in on Sunday."

Fellow defensive end Justin Tuck felt that Umenyiora's trip to Atlanta could be seen as a sign of progress in the dispute.

"It's movement," Tuck said, adding just as quickly that no one really knows when the situation will be resolved.

Guard David Diehl said that while teammates want Umenyiora to practice, they also understand the business side of the problem.

"He's got his own thing going on," Diehl said. "The only thing you can focus on are the guys that are playing and all we've been doing, making sure we are making progress."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Agent says 21 teams interested in Giants DE Umenyiora

Osi Umenyiora's agent is finding plenty of NFL teams interested in trading for the star defensive end, but so far, none of them appear willing to pay the New York Giants' asking price.

"Just trying to convince them to give up that elusive first-round pick," Tony Agnone told the New York Post on Tuesday. "Still working on it."

Osi Umenyiora is coming off a season in which he had 11.5 sacks and 10 forced fumbles. NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks looks at five teams that could be suitors for his services. More...

Agnone told the newspaper that he has received inquiries from 21 teams. The New York Daily News reported Monday that the Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, San Diego Chargers, St. Louis Rams and Seattle Seahawks have shown interest either to the Giants or to Agnone. But the combination of the Giants' asking price -- a first-round pick -- and Umenyiora's desire to earn more money is making a deal difficult.

The Baltimore Sun reported Tuesday that the Giants have dropped their demand for a first-round pick and would be willing to accept a second-round pick. The newspaper cited a league source in reporting that the Ravens and the New England Patriots are interested in Umenyiora.

Umenyiora, 29, wants to rework a contract that will pay him $7 million over the next two seasons, with $3.1 million due this season. He led the Giants with 11.5 sacks and 10 forced fumbles in 2010, and he has grown increasingly frustrated with the criticism he's receiving over the situation.

The Giants gave Agnone a limited time to make a deal, and that deadline is drawing near.

"It's not going to be long now," he said.

After holding out of training camp the first day, Umenyiora reported the next three but didn't participate in practice.

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Herzlich, who survived cancer, says he's signed with Giants

Mark Herzlich, the Boston College linebacker who survived cancer, has signed with the New York Giants as a free agent.

Herzlich announced his decision Tuesday morning via his official Twitter account.

"Decision is made I will be a #GIANT can't wait to get to #NYC. Thank you for everything." Herzlich wrote.

Herzlich was ranked No. 1 on NFL.com analyst Pat Kirwan's list of top undrafted free agents this week.

Speaking to NFL Network on Tuesday, Herzlich said the decision to sign with the Giants boiled down to two things.

"It's all about opportunity and fit," Herzlich said. "I felt like this was the best opportunity to not only make a team but grow, get a job, go from there, get great coaching."

Herzlich said he also considered two other teams.

"Two other teams I was high on were the Eagles and the Ravens," Herzlich said. "I talked a lot with the coaches and the staffs. Both are great organizations as well."

Herzlich was chosen ACC defensive player of the year after his sophomore season at BC. He was diagnosed with bone cancer and missed the 2009 season. He returned in 2010 and started all 13 games for the Eagles. He had 65 tackles, forced two fumbles and intercepted four passes.

"We are excited to give him the opportunity to see if he can make it in this league," said Giants chief executive and co-owner John Mara. "He's a great kid who had obviously been through a lot. I'm in favor of the signing and, in fact, I suggested it. We think of him as being a prospect."

Herzlich was struck by the condensed period in which to make his decision.

"The phone has been crazy, starting 7:30, 8 o'clock last night," he said Tuesday. "Different teams were contacting myself directly as well as my agent, just getting information out there that they were interested.

"Three months of recruiting wound down to 12 hours."

Herzlich, 23, was on everybody's watch list after his big season in 2008, when he had 97 tackles, including 12 tackles for losses, 1.5 sacks, four pass breakups, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

However, he was diagnosed during the following offseason with Ewing's sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. Doctors said he might never play football again.

After hours of wondering "why," he said he focused on the future in a telephone interview with The Associated Press before April's NFL draft.

"You have to look past that and see that you have something that you want to live for, you want to beat the cancer for," Herzlich said. "That was my focus the whole time. You can't really look back over your shoulder and think what could have been. You have to kind of just push forward and see where I'm going to get to."

He had a tumor removed from his left leg and a titanium rod inserted. He underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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O'Hara, Seubert -- two stalwarts of Giants O-line -- expected to be cut

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants have told center and player representative Shaun O'Hara and guard Rich Seubert that they will be released.

A source close to each veteran told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the team told the players they would be cut on Thursday in what are salary-cap moves.

The Giants are roughly $10 million over the NFL's new $120.4 million salary cap. The releases of O'Hara ($3.45 million in 2011) and Seubert ($2.25 million) will reduce the problem by roughly $6 million.

O'Hara, 34, who was the starting center since 2004, was limited to six games last season because of ankle and foot injuries. He had surgeries on both in the offseason.

O'Hara, who played at Rutgers and is a local fan favorite, has been the Giants' player representative in recent years and he voted in Washington on Monday on the agreement that ended the 4 1/2-month lockout.

The 32-year-old Seubert probably was the Giants' most valuable lineman last season. He moved from guard to center after both O'Hara and backup Adam Koets were sidelined.

However, Seubert suffered a major knee injury against Washington in the final game of the season when he dislocated his right knee. It was his second major injury. He broke his right leg in a game against Philadelphia in 2003 and did not return until the 2005 season. He needed five surgeries to repair the leg.

It was uncertain whether either O'Hara or Seubert would have been ready for the season, anyway. The Giants could re-sign them, but it is not known, at this point, if either wants to come back.

The moves leave Koets as the only returning center with starting experience, and he also is coming off a major knee injury.

O'Hara, Seubert, guard Chris Snee and tackles David Diehl and Kareem McKenzie once had a streak of starting 32 consecutive games in a run that made them one of the NFL's top offensive lines.

The Giants open the preseason on Aug. 13 at Carolina.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Giants move camp from Albany to team complex in New Jersey

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Albany, N.Y., is the latest loser in the NFL's four-month-old labor lockout.

The New York Giants became the third NFL team to cancel their out-of-town training camp when they informed officials at the University at Albany and Mayor Gerald Jennings on Friday morning that they would not be returning this year because of the uncertainty surrounding the league's labor problems.

If the players and owners reach a new collective bargaining agreement, the Giants will train at their headquarters in East Rutherford.

"In light of current circumstances, it simply became impractical for us to hold camp away from home," said John Mara, the Giants' co-owner and chief executive. "The University at Albany and the Capital Region has been a great summer home for us for 15 years, and we have every intention of returning there in 2012."

The Baltimore Ravens canceled their camp at Winchester, Md., and the Jets called off their training camp at SUNY-Cortland in central New York roughly two weeks ago. Both teams also plan to stage training camps at their home facilities if there is a season.

Although owners and players are negotiating, the Giants believed there was not enough time to transport equipment, weights, medical supplies and to organize the transportation of players even if an agreement was reached.

The team also said that coach Tom Coughlin and his staff also thought after missing an offseason with the players, their time will be more efficiently spent at the team's home base.

The Giants' 15-year stay at Albany is their longest at one training-camp site in the franchise's 87-year history. Before moving to Albany, they spent eight summers at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, N.J.

"While I was disappointed when John Mara called me this morning, I fully understand the Giants' decision," said University at Albany President George M. Philip.

The university does not profit financially from Giants summer camp. However, it measures the value of team's visits by enhanced public awareness and publicity.

Jennings said he understood the rationale behind the decision.

"We have had a great relationship with the Giants organization for 15 years, and my office and our city look forward to this season and to welcoming the Giants back next summer," Jennings said.

The Giants' home facility -- the Timex Performance Center -- is a state-of-the-art complex which opened in 2009. It has three grass fields, a turf field outdoors and a full-sized indoor field.

The only problem having camp there will be housing the players. There are no dormitories.

The NFL lockout has been in place since March 11.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Giants safety Jones fights for another chance after car crash

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Manning sees Burress as better fit for Giants than Barber

Giants quarterback Eli Manning appeared on "The Dan Patrick Show" on Monday and didn't mince words when asked if wide receiver Plaxico Burress or running back Tiki Barber, both attempting NFL comebacks, would be a better fit in New York.

"Probably Plaxico -- just because, you know, he has, probably, fonder memories of winning a Super Bowl and that catch for the touchdown in Super Bowl XLII," Manning said.

"Tiki, you know, Tiki -- it ended on a bad note, and, you know, it's really a shame. He should be remembered as a great Giants running back and a terrific player, because he was. Just kind of the way he went out and, you know, burned a few bridges with the fans, and kind of went after me a little bit ... it's unfortunate, really, and I'm not happy about it in that sense. So, I think Plaxico would probably be welcomed back a little quicker."

Barber has spent the past four months working out in an attempt to make a comeback, although his chances rest on the league and its players reaching a new collective bargaining agreement.

Barber, who was critical of Manning after retiring following the 2006 season, appeared on a radio call-in spot with Mike Francesa on WFAN-AM last week and addressed why he believes some Giants fans dislike him.

"I'm sure it probably has to do with the fact that I criticized (Giants coach) Tom Coughlin, and he goes and wins a Super Bowl," Barber said. "Or the conversations that I had about Eli Manning (that) got blown out of proportion. Things like that (where) people felt like I, as someone with knowledge, was attacking somebody that I just left, when it really wasn't. It was just giving my opinion about things, and I've always been opinionated."

Barber, 36, produced six 1,000-yard seasons in a seven-year span, and he finished among the league's top five rushers in his final three years before retiring. In 2005, he amassed the third-most yards from scrimmage in a single season in league history with 2,390.

Burress, the former Giants wide receiver who turns 34 in August, was released from prison June 6 after spending nearly two years behind bars on a gun charge. He is expected to be pursued by multiple teams once the lockout is resolved.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Umenyiora unhappy with contract, but Giants still an option

Defensive end Osi Umenyiora might be unhappy with his contract, but he has not ruled out a return to the New York Giants.

NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora reported Thursday that Umenyiora gave a deposition as part of the Brady et al v. the National Football League et al case, claiming that Giants general manager Jerry Reese promised to either trade him or make him among the top five defensive ends in the league back in 2008, according to sources who have seen the affidavit.

In the statement, which was given under the penalty of perjury, Umenyiora details conversations with Reese, saying that he was promised that if he "was playing at a high level" over the following two seasons, he would be compensated among the best at his position or dealt to a team that would compensate him. Umenyiora's agent, Tony Agnone, was also deposed.

Umenyiora, 29, claims that Reese has failed to make good on his word.

As one of the plaintiffs in the Brady case, he provided the statements to NFL Players Association lawyers to show the kind of "irreparable" harm being done to players by the lockout.

Despite the drama, Umenyiora told The New York Times on Friday that he would "absolutely" be willing to return to the Giants.

"I love my teammates," Umenyiora said. "The owners of the team, Mr. (John) Mara and Mr. (Steve) Tisch, I'm really cool with both of them. They came to the hospital when I was injured. They're wonderful people. I don't have a beef with them per se. At the end of the day, they're going to have to make the best decision for them.

"If they renegotiate my deal, I have to be on the field, and I have to perform. To play all those guys is going to be very, very difficult. For everyone to get their chance to showcase their skills, it’s going to be difficult to do that."

Said Umenyiora: "Any time you mention my name, it seems as if it’s just a firestorm of negativity, and Osi doing this and Osi doing that. Nobody in that organization or on that team can tell you I’m a disruption or a negative person or I’m perceived in such a way, because they’d be lying."

Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy came out of the woodwork Thursday to respond to Umenyiora's situation via Twitter, calling the defender "overrated n soft" and the "3rd best d-line on his team honestly."

Umenyiora fired back, telling The Times: "That little Chihuahua or poodle in the backfield. He doesn't have to block me. ... If you have something to say, say it man to man. You can't be a Twitter gangster. That's easy to do, trying to be a tough guy. Say it to my face, and we'll see what happens."

Umenyiora also spoke to The Star-Ledger on Friday and referred to McCoy as "Lady Gaga."

"I mean, he’s a girl, man. Who does stuff like that?" Umenyiora said. "If he has more of these things to say, he can say 'em to my face."

Umenyiora went on to describe his contentious relationship with McCoy.

"Yeah, me and him, we had words on the field -- both times we played. I hate him, he hates me, period. He chose to take that off the field and make it public when it's something that's between me and him. It’s something we can address on the football field. He let the whole world know about it, so I’m going to respond."

Said Umenyiora of past entanglements: "Oh, he said all kinds of stuff. He called me an 'African (expletive).' It was bad. It was pretty intense between me and him. I said a couple of things to him."

If Umenyiora ends up with another club, it will pull him out of a Giants-Eagles rivalry he labeled "rough," but he said he'll find his way back to McCoy one way or another.

"I’ll see him somewhere for sure. It’s going to continue, man. There's going to be no going back from this one because I feel he crossed the line."

Giants wideout Steve Smith joined the fray Friday, tweeting: "The nerve of certain youngins running their mouth." 

Smith's message included a photo montage of the Giants celebrating their Super Bowl XLII victory next to an empty Eagles trophy case.

"Eagles have a great team as do we," Smith continued. "They've had our number lately but until you win something major I don't wanna hear it."

Umenyiora, a seven-year veteran, has been unhappy for quite some time with the contract extension he signed in 2005. The collective bargaining agreement signed in 2006 prompted increased spending around the league, and other defensive linemen quickly eclipsed the $31 million deal, averaging $5.5 million a season, that he had signed.

With two years left on his contact, he can earn $3.875 million in salary and bonuses in 2011, and $4.725 million in salary and bonuses in 2012, far below others with similar career production.

Umenyiora's monster season in 2007 -- in which he posted 13 sacks and helped the Giants win the Super Bowl -- spurred the meeting with Reese that was covered in the affidavit. A league source, however, pointed out that there could conceivably have been some miscommunication, that Reese might have been talking about possibly exploring a trade or new contract down the road without directly promising to do so.

In the two years Umenyiora was to perform at a high level, he did not do so -- he spent 2008 on injured reserve with a knee injury and lost his starting spot and became a situational player in 2009 while clashing with the coaching staff. La Canfora reports that his trade value was low, based on injury concerns and the fact he was coming off just a seven-sack season in 2009, at the time Reese was to have had to make good on his "promise," as per the statements from the affidavit.

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Giants' Coughlin seems ready to turn page on Burress era

Tom Coughlin heard that Plaxico Burress criticized his coaching style earlier this week. It hasn't fazed the New York Giants coach, however. Like his team, Coughlin seems to have moved on from the veteran wide receiver.

"I don't pay any attention to it," Coughlin said in Thursday's New York Post. "It is what it is. Maybe he's sending me along a badge of honor. How do I know?"

Burress -- who was released from prison on June 6 after serving a nearly two-year sentence on gun charges -- described his relationship with Coughlin as "ambivalent," feeling the Giants coach didn't communicate well enough.

"This is not college. This is professional sports," Burress said. "If you can't sit down and go talk to a man that you are busting your tail for, not even have the respect for anything that you have to say, like I said, the only thing I knew then was to rebel."

Coughlin was at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, where his seven-year-old grandson, Dylan, was an honorary batboy for the home team. Now entering his eighth season with the Giants, Coughlin made it clear he was rooting for Burress, the player who made the game-winning touchdown grab in Super Bowl XLII.

"As I've said many times, I'll stay with the same line: I hope he gets some normalcy in his life and has a chance to spend some time with his family and that he gets to know his kids once again," Coughlin said. "His wife has done a tremendous job of holding that family together for the last two years. She deserves some help."

Regarding the lockout, the football lifer said he doesn't "feel fulfilled" without a team to coach. Coughlin knows his job only gets more difficult as days continue to fall off the calendar without a team structure.

"We're getting anxious," he told The Post. "We've seen so much time come and go. I try not to look back at our rookies, the fact that we haven't even had the chance to teach them what our expectation level is. These guys are being hurt more than anyone else."

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Jacobs: Eagles, not Giants, likely for Burress after prison time

When Plaxico Burress is released from a New York state prison Monday, he must find work. But Giants running back Brandon Jacobs, one of Burress' closest friends, doesn't believe the wide receiver will do so with his former NFL team.

"No, he ain't coming to the Giants," Jacobs said Thursday, according to The Star-Ledger. "That's out of the question. He's got options, and it's good he can weigh his options. I would love him to be a part of the Giants, but I don't think that's even on his plate."

What's on Burress' plate, Jacobs believes, is joining the NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles -- a possibility that has been recently speculated and later supported by the team's quarterback, Michael Vick, who served 19 months in a federal prison on dogfighting charges. Burress, 33, will have served 20 months after pleading guilty in 2009 to attempted criminal possession of a weapon following a November 2008 incident in which he accidentally shot himself in the leg at a New York nightclub.

Brooks: Burress is a fit in Philly

"I would hate to see him go to where I think he's going to go, from talking to him," said Jacobs, who speaks to Burress weekly and helps his wife and children. "It's pretty tough to deal with all those different combinations that they can present. ...

"(The Eagles) have a lot of dynamic players down there. "It wouldn't be a bad thing, he thinks, to go down there, because he wants to win. He wants to have a shot to win a Super Bowl right away. I don't know if that's the right mixture for him to do it, but they definitely have a lot of talent."

Jacobs also said Burress has told him he wouldn't mind playing for former Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, now coach of the St. Louis Rams.

Jacobs' comments about Burress mirror those of Giants left tackle David Diehl, who told NFL.com last month that he'd like the receiver to return but doesn't see it happening.

"If I were Plaxico, I don't think I would want to ...," Diehl said. "If I were in that position, in order to move on and start fresh, you have to get back to square one. That's getting back to playing football. That's getting back to yourself, and not only enjoying your family, but enjoying your life and being happy again. For him, I think that's somewhere else."

Not every Giant dismisses the idea of Burress returning to the team. Eli Manning, who threw the game-winning TD pass to Burress in Super Bowl XLII in February 2008, expressed his support for the receiver last month, saying, "I'm excited that he's getting out, and if the Giants or another team give him a shot, I'll look forward to getting him back into football." Defensive end Justin Tuck said Thursday that "I would love to have Plaxico back in Giants blue."

Even so, Jacobs is adamant that his friend will find a new NFL home.

"I just want to be happy for him," Jacobs said. "I just want him to be super happy that he's out, that he's a free man and he's able to continue his career."

Burress started his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2000, then joined the Giants in 2005. He has 505 catches for 7,845 yards and 55 TDs.

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Robustelli, who helped Giants to '56 title, passes away at 85

STAMFORD, Conn. -- Football Hall of Famer Andy Robustelli, who played for the New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams during a 14-year NFL career, has died. He was 85.

"He was one of the greatest players in franchise history, and one of the finest, most dignified gentlemen you could ever meet," Giants President John Mara said. "Andy was a man's man in every respect."

It wasn't immediately clear where and when Robustelli died. His death was first reported by The Stamford Advocate.

The 6-foot-1, 230-pound defensive end played for the Rams from 1951-55 and the Giants from 1956-64, but his arrival in New York ushered in one of the greatest eras in Giants' football.

New York won the 1956 NFL championship in Robustelli's first season. They won five more conference championships during his tenure, in 1958, 1959, 1961, 1962 and 1963. Robustelli played on a winning team in 13 of his 14 pro seasons and played in eight NFL championship games.

Despite his relatively small stature for a defensive lineman, determination, speed and intelligence made Andy Robustelli one of the NFL's best pass rushers of his era, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. More ...

"Andy was a great leader. When he came to us from the Rams, it turned everything around defensively," fellow Hall of Famer Frank Gifford said. "He fit perfectly into Tom Landry's defense. Tom Landry was such a leader in putting defense into pro football and Andy was one of the key components of that."

Robustelli was selected to seven Pro Bowls and was a first-team All-NFL pick seven times, two with the Rams and five with the Giants. He was also a three-time second-team All-Pro choice. In 1962, the Maxwell Club selected Robustelli as the NFL's top player, an honor then usually given to an offensive player.

"He was far and away above the other defensive ends of his era," Gifford said. "Andy was not all that big, but he was very quick. With Andy and Tom Landry, it was almost scary the anticipation that they had of what was going to be run. He and Tom were very, very close. Whereas Tom was the overall defensive coach, Andy basically ran the defensive line along with the linebackers. He was the leader. Everyone knew that. He was the leader in the clubhouse. He was quiet. But when Andy talked, everyone listened."

Robustelli played in 175 regular-season games in his 14-year career, missing only one because of injury. In his last three years with the Giants, he was a player-coach.

Robustelli was the Giants' Director of Operations -- what is now called general manager -- from 1974-78, prior to George Young's arrival. During his tenure, the Giants drafted Hall of Famer Harry Carson, as well as such standout players as George Martin, Gary Jeter and Gordon King.

"Andy is someone I looked up to fiercely," said Martin, who played for the Giants from 1975-88 and is now the executive director and president of the NFL Alumni Association. "I think he was legendary among all ballplayers, but especially within the illustrious Giants' history."

Martin said Robustelli never stopped coaching, even when he was working in the front office.

"Andy was always giving you tips about the game -- here's your general manager coming out to give you some words of advice," Martin said. "For a young man, particularly a rookie, those were like words from heaven. Although our styles were different and the eras in which we played in were completely different, one of the things I know I tried hard to copy was the tenacity that Andy had, because it's transferable no matter what era you played in."

After leaving the Giants, Robustelli was a successful businessman in his native Connecticut.

Born in Stamford, he played football and baseball at Stamford High before enlisting in the U.S. Navy at age 18. During World War II, Robustelli served on the USS William C. Cole in the Pacific Theater. When he returned from war, Robustelli attended Arnold College in nearby Bridgeport. He made his family home in Stamford, where he ran a successful travel agency.

Robustelli's wife, Jeanne, died in April. She was 84. The couple had nine children, 29 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Payback? Ex-Redskin Portis wants chance to join rival Giants

Clinton Portis knows he has something to prove entering the 2011 season. He'd like to prove it to his former team, the Washington Redskins, twice per year.

Portis said Tuesday on SiriusXM NFL Radio that he wouldn't mind joining the NFC East rival New York Giants, calling the possibility "outstanding."

"I would love that opportunity," Portis said, via Comcast SportsNet Washington and RealRedskins.com.

Portis, 29, noted that the Giants pound the football with their 1-2 running back punch of Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs, boast a solid offensive line and have a premier quarterback in Eli Manning. All they need is to join forces.

"I just need to be able to come out and show what I'm capable of," said Portis, who's 77 rushing yards shy of 10,000 in his career. "... I think it's revitalizing to have an opportunity and still have the drive and still have the hunger to go out and prove people wrong."

The Giants aren't the only team on Portis' wish list. The Mississippi native expressed disappointment that the New Orleans Saints drafted Alabama running back Mark Ingram last month -- "I thought that would be a match made in heaven," Portis said -- and he mentioned San Diego's Philip Rivers, Indianapolis' Peyton Manning, New England's Tom Brady, Philadelphia's Michael Vick, Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers and Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger as quarterbacks with whom he'd like to play.

One team not on Portis' list: the Oakland Raiders. That's because former Redskins offensive coordinator Al Saunders, who coached Portis in 2006 and 2007, is there.

"I don't think Al Saunders' system fit me," Portis said. Me and Al kind of clashed when we were in D.C. -- I'm not sure he was a big fan of mine, the practice habits. ... I think for myself, (I need) a clean slate, something new, a fresh start."

The Redskins released Portis in February because of his impending $8.3 million salary and injuries that limited him to just 13 games in the last two seasons. Portis pointed out Tuesday that the NFL lockout, which is in its third month, actually helps him, giving him more time to heal.

"I think I'm in better shape today than I was since, probably, my fourth or fifth year in the NFL," Portis said. "... Now I'm having some freedom and opportunity to go elsewhere and train and do my own thing and recover at my own pace. Usually by now, my back hurts from pushing sleds and doing this and doing that in the offseason program. ...

"I'm looking forward to growing completely healed. I'm benching, I'm squatting, I'm running. I feel like I got the speed back that was once dominating and scared so many other opposing teams."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Coughlin to return for eighth season as Giants coach in '11

LANDOVER, Md. -- Tom Coughlin will return as coach of the New York Giants next season, and his status wasn't in question at all, according to team co-owner John Mara.

Speaking Sunday after the Giants were assured of missing the playoffs for a second consecutive season, Mara put an end to any speculation about Coughlin's future.

"There was never any doubt in my mind, never any doubt in (co-owner) Steve Tisch's mind, never any doubt in (general manager) Jerry Reese's mind," Mara said.

New York finished its season Sunday with a 17-14 victory over the Washington Redskins, but the Giants didn't get the help they needed to claim the NFC's remaining wild-card berth.

The Giants went 10-6, making New York and Tampa Bay the first NFC teams since 1991 to miss the playoffs despite double-digit victories. Instead, another team with a 10-6 record -- Green Bay -- got the conference's last postseason berth.

"You wanted the other part of the package," Coughlin said. "To win the 10 games was nice, but we all wanted to win the 10 games so we could get a chance to play next week as well."

The 64-year-old Coughlin has been the Giants' coach since 2004 and led them to the Super Bowl title at the end of the 2007 season. But he also oversaw late swoons the past two seasons.

The Giants started 2009 at 5-0 before dropping eight of 11 down the stretch, including poor efforts in their final two games to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2004.

This season, New York had a 9-4 record going into an NFC East showdown against the Philadelphia Eagles two weeks ago -- then led that game 31-10 with 8 minutes left. But Michael Vick and the Eagles came all the way back to beat the Giants 38-31, with DeSean Jackson scoring a touchdown on a 65-yard punt return on the final play.

The Giants could have clinched a playoff berth last weekend by beating the Packers, but lost 45-17.

"We had put so much into the Philadelphia game, to be honest with you," Coughlin said, "and then to lose it like we did -- and actually, we practiced well that next week, but we didn't have the passion and the emotion."

He, for one, showed plenty of both on the sideline Sunday.

After one of Eli Manning's passes went off Mario Manningham's hands and ended up as an interception in the first quarter, Coughlin barked at Manningham as the receiver left the field. The coach also hustled over to slap hands with Manningham after he caught a 92-yard TD pass from Manning about 2 ½ minutes into the second half.

Coughlin later made his way onto the field for pats on players' backsides after his defense forced one of its four turnovers. And he was cursing after Lawrence Tynes missed a 39-yard field-goal attempt.

After the game, Coughlin was asked whether he had any doubts about whether he would keep his job.

"I have no doubt," he replied, "but we just have to see about that."

Not very long after that, Mara made everything perfectly clear.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Packers make playoff push with sharp performance vs. stumbling Giants

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Aaron Rodgers returned from a concussion to turn in his sharpest performance of the season, keeping the Green Bay Packers on a path toward the playoffs with 404 yards and four touchdowns.

It all came at the expense of the New York Giants, whose season is spinning out of control after the Packers blew them out 45-17 at Lambeau Field on Sunday.

Rodgers was back, and so was his sense of humor. Backup Matt Flynn played well when Rodgers sat out last week with his second concussion of the season, so Rodgers joked that he had something to prove Sunday.

"I had to get my job back," Rodgers said.

There wasn't much to smile about for the Giants (9-6), who are clinging to fading playoff hopes and certainly appeared to still be in a daze after the previous week's collapse against Philadelphia.

"There's no denying what took place," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. "Facts are facts. We're responsible for it. I'm responsible for it. So we have to live with it. And as we say in this game, the only chance you have is to turn around and line up the next week."

The Giants couldn't stop Rodgers and couldn't hold onto the ball, as one of the league's most turnover-prone teams lost two fumbles and watched Eli Manning throw four interceptions.

As if that wasn't enough misery for one team to handle, the Giants were stuck in Wisconsin on Sunday night because of a major snowstorm on the East Coast.

At this point, they might not want to go home.

"I don't care where we're at, it's going to be a long night regardless," safety Deon Grant said. "If we'd go back to New York, it'd probably be a worse night. I know they're not going to be happy. I looked up, the Jets lost, we lost, it's not a good look."

Green Bay (9-6) came into Sunday's game needing to win their final two games to make the playoffs. The Packers host division-rival Chicago in their final regular-season game next Sunday.

Safety Nick Collins said it felt like a playoff game.

"That's how it's going to be next week, too," Collins said.

John Kuhn ran for two touchdowns and caught a pass for a score for the Packers. The unheralded fullback is embracing his growing folk-hero status with Packers fans, who chant "Kuuuuuuuuuhn!" when he touches the ball.

"It's pretty funny," Kuhn said. "It's nice. I don't want to let them down. They call for you ahead of time, so I've got to try and come through."

Greg Jennings caught seven passes for 142 yards for Green Bay, while Jordy Nelson had four catches for 124 yards and a touchdown.

Rodgers was sacked twice, but wasn't under much pressure otherwise as his offensive line delivered one of its best pass protection efforts of the year.

"Those guys were ready to play," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "They were sick and tired of hearing about how tough the Giants were all week."

Rodgers was anything but tentative after sustaining two concussions this season, but he definitely had safety on his mind when he took off running. Rodgers made a baseball umpire's "safe" sign with his arms after sliding instead of taking a big hit after an early scramble -- a salute, he said, to a team doctor who is reminding him to be more careful when he runs.

"I got a lot of texts in the last two weeks from friends and family," Rodgers said. "'Slide' was the main subject."

Manning threw for 301 yards with two touchdowns and the four interceptions.

"If you have interceptions, it's my fault and we had four today," Manning said. "There's not one that wasn't my fault, so I've got to be smarter with the ball and toward the end of the game, you're in desperate mode, you try to force some things and it didn't go our way."

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Already trailing 21-14, the Giants began the second half with yet another major mistake. On a third-down play in Packers territory, Charles Woodson stripped the ball from Ahmad Bradshaw and the Packers recovered at the 50. The Packers drove but had to settle for a field goal, taking a 24-14 lead.

The Giants answered with a drive for a field goal, but Rodgers was at his absolute best on the Packers' next possession. Taking over at the Green Bay 30, Rodgers threw for big gains on back-to-back plays -- Donald Driver for 33 yards and Jennings for 36 -- then threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Donald Lee two plays later to give the Packers a 31-17 lead with 4:44 left in the third quarter.

Hakeem Nicks appeared to fumble on the ensuing kickoff, but Coughlin challenged the play and New York kept the ball. Brandon Jacobs then broke free for a long run -- but Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews punched the ball, it popped into the air and the Packers recovered.

This time, Coughlin's replay review was unsuccessful and Green Bay kept the ball.

"We came out and we played like we didn't have anything to play for," Giants defensive end Justin Tuck said.

Notes: It was a rematch of the Giants' overtime victory in the NFC title game in below-zero conditions at Lambeau nearly three years ago. Sunday's conditions weren't nearly as challenging, with 25-degree temperatures and little wind at kickoff. ... The Packers have won 10 of their last 11 home games. ... The Giants' Mario Manningham caught four passes for 132 yards and a touchdown.

Copyright 2010 by the Associated Press

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Redskins CB Rogers downplays sore calf, hopes to face Giants

Washington Redskins cornerback Carlos Rogers hopes his nagging sore calf won't sideline him against the New York Giants in the season finale, according to The Washington Post.

Rogers left Sunday's 20-17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half due to the calf injury and did not return.

"It's alright, right now," Rogers told The Post after the game. "It's kind of straining a little bit. I know from the previous one I had last training camp, if I kept going, I was going to pop. And I didn't want to do that."

Rogers intercepted Jaguars quarterback David Garrard on Jacksonville's initial possession to set up the Redskins' first touchdown. It was Rogers' second interception of the season, to go along with 54 total tackles.

The sixth-year veteran leads a banged-up Redskins' defense that played against the Jaguars minus several starters, including linebacker Brian Orakpo and safeties Reed Doughty and Kareem Moore.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Packers QB Rodgers' status remains uclear vs. Giants

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- As of Monday, the Green Bay Packers couldn't say for sure that Aaron Rodgers will be able to play this weekend.

They did know this: Despite Sunday night's tough 31-27 loss at New England, the Packers still are virtually assured of a playoff spot if they win their final two games.

Even after watching yet another close game go the wrong way -- all six of the Packers' losses this season have come by four points or fewer -- Packers coach Mike McCarthy generally was upbeat about the way his team played in a road game against the NFL's hottest team with Rodgers on the sideline.

"You get angry, and you don't sweep anything under the rug," McCarthy said Monday. "There was a lot of positive aspects of the game last night that would lead to a very high performance level, and there's some things that we need to do a better job in, particularly in critical points in the game."

Rodgers sat out Sunday night's game a week after sustaining his second concussion of the season. McCarthy said he will have more information on Rodgers' availability Wednesday.

"We're still going through our medical process now with all of our players," McCarthy said.

Backup Matt Flynn played well in Rodgers' place, throwing for 251 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. He nearly rallied the Packers late in the fourth quarter, but a late drive ended with a sack.

"It's a tough one to swallow," Flynn said after the game. "It makes you sit there and think what you could have done different, make a play here, just things that kind of eat you up that you can't stop thinking about. It's definitely tough to swallow, but we've got to look forward. We've got two games left and we've still got things in front of us."

Flynn credited Rodgers with helping him out during his first career start.

"Me and Aaron talked all week," Flynn said. "He just told me to cut it loose and have fun out there, trust your preparation, trust your reads. He was with me the whole time on the sideline, talking to me. He was a big help to me."

Flynn said his inexperience wasn't a factor on the final drive.

The Packers were driving toward what could have been a game-winning touchdown, but got bogged down after a sack forced them to burn their third timeout with just under a minute remaining. A third-down pass from Flynn to Donald Driver came close to the first down marker, but the Packers lost valuable time while waiting for officials to determine if it was first down or fourth down.

They ended up a yard short. Flynn got one last snap off with the clock running down, but was sacked on the final play.

"That third-down play, we couldn't really tell if we got the first down or not," Flynn said. "We would have gone up and clocked the ball and had an opportunity to call a better play, but once they spotted it late, it was fourth down and we just had to go. I don't feel like it was inexperience. I've been around the game and we work 2-minute drills all the time."

McCarthy said the sack earlier in the drive hurt the Packers' ability to manage the clock, but the coach wasn't critical of the way Flynn handled the final two plays.

"I thought that Matt did fine with the operation of the third-down to the fourth-down play," McCarthy said. "They went with a three-man rush, Matt tried to extend the play -- which you like to do there -- and he was sacked."

Should Rodgers return to practice this week, it would give the Packers a big boost going into their final two games. The Packers host the New York Giants on Sunday, then face the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field a week later.

They'll likely have to face the Giants without defensive end Cullen Jenkins, who has missed the last two games with a lingering calf injury. McCarthy hopes Jenkins will be able to return for the regular season finale against Chicago.

McCarthy seemed optimistic about safety Nick Collins, who left Sunday's game with a rib injury. And he said outside linebacker Frank Zombo could return from a knee injury after sitting out Sunday's game.

Win both games, and the Packers are virtually assured a playoff spot.

"That sounds good, but we've got to win a close game," cornerback Charles Woodson said. "And we haven't done that. We haven't shown that we can do that yet."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Giants shake off slow start to end Jaguars winning streak at three

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- With his team trailing by 11 points and the season on the brink, coach Tom Coughlin wasn't the only voice in the New York Giants' locker room at halftime.

The one that stood out was Justin Tuck, and his message was simple: Stop playing like garbage.

Garrard's personal achievement

The Giants (7-4) got the message and maybe saved their season with five games to go.

Eli Manning threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Boss with 3:15 to play and Tuck and his buddies sacked David Garrard on three straight plays in the closing minute and forced a turnover as the Giants rallied to beat Jacksonville 24-20 on Sunday. The win snapped a two-game slide and ended the Jaguars' three-game winning streak.

"I talked about how you allow somebody to come into your house and take over," Tuck said after the Jaguars had taken a 17-6 halftime lead. "At that point, they were doing just about whatever they wanted to do. We couldn't allow ourselves not to be on the same page."

"I told them I was playing like garbage," Tuck added. "I told them we were playing like garbage. In the second half, we've got to pick it up. I just tried to create a spark, and it worked."

The Giants held the Jaguars (6-5) to three points, 92 yards in total offense and forced two turnovers, with Antrel Rolle's fumble recovery with 1:25 left icing the game.

"That was something that we needed," Coughlin said. "We needed to rise up and have a finish like that. We're all aware of the circumstances that we're in, that the division is in, that the conference is in, and we needed to keep pace."

Milestone Tracker

Jaguars QB David Garrard was one of a number of players who reached career milestones Sunday. Find out what it was. More.

Jacksonville took a 20-17 lead on 42-yard field goal by Josh Scobee with 8:26 to play and the Giants finally took the lead with a six-play, 69-yard drive that featured an 18-yard pass to Mario Manningham and an 18-yard run by Brandon Jacobs, who gained 87 yards on 14 carries in his return to the starting lineup.

Faced with a third-and-10 at the Jaguars 32, Manning (14-of-24 for 226) and Boss caught Jacksonville in a blitz.

"He saw it," Manning said of Boss. "He went up the field looking for the ball and I got it to him."

Boss caught the ball at the 25, shook off a tackle by safety Courtney Greene and romped into the end zone.

"He almost brought me down," said Boss, whose holding penalty cost the Giants a first-half touchdown. "I was kind of fumbling and stumbling to keep my feet and get in the end zone."

Greene took the blame.

"I just missed the tackle," said Greene, who led the Jaguars with 11 tackles.

Manning also threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Manningham and Lawrence Tynes kicked three field goals. Manning's late heroics also helped big brother Peyton in the AFC South race with Jacksonville -- the Colts and Jaguars began the day tied for the division lead.

Garrard and Rashad Jennings ran for touchdowns and Scobee kicked two field goal as the Jaguars lost for only the third time in eight games.

"This is a team that's been in Super Bowls and been in a lot of playoff runs, so we can't let up on a team like that," Jaguars defensive end Jeremy Mincey said. "It's a sign of maturity. We have a lot of growing up to do all across the board."

Jacksonville had one last chance and Garrard drove the Jaguars from their 27 to the Giants 29, where they got a first down on an illegal contact penalty against Aaron Ross with 1:51 to play.

Tuck and Antrel Rolle sacked Garrard for an 11-yard loss on first down. Dave Tollefson tackle Garrard for a loss of 5 more on second down. Cornerback Terrell Thomas, who intercepted Garrard's first pass of the second half to set up Tynes' third field goal, then sacked the quarterback and forced a fumble that Rolle recovered.

"If you don't execute and let a team stay in the game, that's what going to happen, you're going to end up losing out there," Garrard said as he waited to be X-rayed. "That's two or three weeks in a row we've left teams back in where we had a chance to end the game."

The Giants tied it early in the fourth quarter on the touchdown pass to Manningham and a 2-point conversion run by Ahmad Bradshaw.

Garrard (20-of-35 for 162) used runs of 6, 6 and 11 yards to set up Scobee's go-ahead 42-yard field goal.

Garrard and the Jaguars were outstanding in the first half, scoring on drives on 75, 85 and 71 yards the first three times they had the ball.

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Jennings capped the Jaguars' opening drive with a 5-yard run. Garrard hit passes of 12 and 16 yards on a 15-play drive that Scobee ended with a 22-yard field goal for a 10-3 lead.

The Giants appeared to tie the game on a 9-yard pass from Manning to Manningham on their next possession, but the score was nullified by a holding penalty against Boss. Tynes, who kicked a 22-yard field goal after New York's opening drive stalled at the Jags 5, added a 29-yarder.

Garrard then led a 13-play, 71-yard scoring drive he capped with a sensational 5-yard run on which he avoided a sack by Osi Umenyiora and broke a tackle by Tuck in going from sideline to sideline for the TD.

Notes: Will Beatty started at left tackle for the Giants with Shawn Andrews out with back injury. ... Former Giant Guy Whimper started at left tackle for Jacksonville with Eugene Monroe out with a concussion. ... Mike Sims-Walker, who battled an ankle injury all week, had four catches for 48 yards. ... The Giants finished with four sacks. ... Jacksonville lost despite having the ball for 35:27.

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Giants fill-in C Koets out for season; OL Diehl out indefinitely

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- New York Giants center Adam Koets tore ligaments in his knee and will miss the rest of the season.

Not only was Koets hurt Sunday in a 41-7 win at Seattle, but starting tackle/guard David Diehl has a partially torn hamstring and an injury to a muscle in his hip, a person familiar with Diehl's injury said Monday.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak for the team.

Diehl, who has started every game since joining the Giants in 2003 as a fifth-round draft pick, is going to be listed week to week by the team.

The team does not know how long Diehl will be sidelined.

Koets, who played a number of positions on the line on Sunday, started three games for regular center Shaun O'Hara.

Guard Rich Seubert was moved to center against Seattle because the team was concerned about the crowd noise.

The Giants did not say in which knee he tore the anterior cruciate ligament.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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Giants use overpowering first-half performance to roll over Seahawks

SEATTLE -- Eli Manning isn't ready to hear all the accolades the New York Giants might be getting as one of the NFL's top teams at the midway point, no matter how dominating they looked Sunday.

"Don't start thinking we're good right now," Manning cautioned.

Manning picked apart Seattle's secondary for 290 yards and three touchdowns and Ahmad Bradshaw added two TDs -- all in the opening half -- and the Giants routed the Seahawks 41-7 on Sunday.

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Coming off its bye, New York (6-2) needed just one half to win its fifth straight, put away any memories of past flubs in Seattle and stake a claim at the top of the NFC East.

"Things are going well right now," Manning said. "But we've just got to make sure we stay committed to getting better."

New York's statement was swift and efficient, not allowing the undermanned Seahawks hope of pulling the upset or letting their notoriously loud home crowd get rocking.

The Giants still had fresh memories of five years ago when they were penalized 14 times -- including 11 false starts -- in a 24-21 overtime loss. A year later, after the Giants made claims that artificial crowd noise was being piped into the stadium, the Seahawks jumped to a 42-3 lead in another win over New York.

Other than the Giants' first drive, Seattle's fans were left sitting on their hands or booing the home team. The Giants were called for just two false start penalties and handed Seattle its worst home loss since moving into Qwest Field. It was the Giants biggest road win since a 41-7 win at Washington in 1993.

"I wouldn't want to say we are the best team. But, we are playing the way need to be as a team," Giants safety Antrel Rolle said. "I think we are establishing ourselves as a great unit. As long as we keep playing team ball, I can just see us climbing and climbing and climbing."

Manning's passer rating was a nearly perfect 152.3 in the first half. He finished 21 of 32 for 290 yards and TD passes of 46, 6, and 5 yards. Bradshaw, Brandon Jacobs and D.J. Ware combined for 201 yards rushing, while Hakeem Nicks had six catches for 128 yards.

It was the second straight 41-point outburst by the Giants offense. New York finished with 487 yards of offense, the third time topping 400 yards during its win streak.

"What didn't they do?" Seattle linebacker Aaron Curry wondered.

Manning's blistering first half included a 46-yard strike to Nicks, when rookie safety Earl Thomas bit on a crossing route and one play after Thomas was called for illegal contact to keep the Giants drive alive.

Seattle's Leon Washington fumbled the ensuing kickoff that Jonathan Goff recovered and returned it to the Seattle 4. Bradshaw piled in on the next play and in 15 seconds, the Giants were up 21-0.

Manning also found Steve Smith on a 6-yard TD pass in the second quarter and his 5-yarder to Kevin Boss in the final minute of the first half gave the Giants a 35-0 halftime lead.

Manning and most of the Giants starters watched the fourth quarter from the bench.

"We have a lot of confidence. We know that we can go out and (stop) any team we want to when we play a good game," Bradshaw said. "That is just what we did today. We played great."

About the only positive for Seattle was keeping quarterback Charlie Whitehurst upright and in the game after the Giants had knocked out five quarterbacks already this season.

But Whitehurst's performance, in his first NFL start, should silence those calling for the end of Matt Hasselbeck's tenure in Seattle. With Hasselbeck out with a concussion, Whitehurst completed 12 of 23 passes for 113 yards and two interceptions.

Whitehurst did complete the first regular season pass of his career -- for a 3-yard loss -- and he threw a 36-yard TD pass to Ben Obomanu early in the fourth quarter.

"It made it a little better, I guess," Whitehurst said of his first TD pass. "But it was a disappointing day for us. I was disappointed in the way that I played and I have to get better."

It didn't help Whitehurst that two starting offensive linemen were out, along with three-fourths of Seattle's starting defensive line. And Seattle's run game never got started against the Giants defense with Marshawn Lynch held to 48 yards on 11 carries, 26 yards coming on one run.

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Offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates also called a puzzling double pass on third-and-1 in the first quarter that fell incomplete when Whitehurst overthrew tight end Chris Baker by 10 yards.

Lynch later was called for a false start when he fell on his face getting off balance before the ball was snapped. On the next play, Whitehurst's throw for Mike Williams was bobbled and intercepted by Terrell Thomas in the end zone.

"Nothing feels right, right now," Seattle coach Pete Carroll said.

Notes: Obomanu's TD catch was Seattle's first touchdown since the second quarter against Arizona two weeks ago. ... Nicks rolled his ankle but didn't believe he would miss any time. ... The Giants dominated time of possession, 42:34 to 17:26.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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