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Del Rio on the edge?


CaptainHook
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When NFL officials put together the 2006 schedule, they figured coach Tom Coughlin's return to Jacksonville merited prime-time exposure.

 

That's why the game will be played next Monday night at Alltel Stadium and shown on ESPN.

 

What they couldn't have imagined is how critical the game will be for both teams and how similar their storylines are.

 

Both clubs are struggling with injuries and coming off tough losses. Both coaches, Coughlin and Jack Del Rio of the Jaguars, find themselves being asked tough questions.

 

Coughlin was roasted in the New York tabloids for trying a 52-yard field goal in windy conditions Sunday night that fell short and was returned 108 yards for a touchdown by Devin Hester. The touchdown provided a spark to the Bears in a 38-20 victory.

 

Coughlin was fired as the Jaguars' coach after the 2002 season and was hired by the Giants in 2004. In his news conference after the game that was transcribed by the Giants staff and e-mailed to the Times-Union, Coughlin took all the responsibility for the decision to go for the field goal. One New York tabloid called it "Tomfoolery.''

 

"It was my decision to go for the field goal," Coughlin said.

 

"It was a disappointing loss and the responsibility falls on me," Coughlin said. The loss that dropped the Giants to 6-3, two games behind the Bears in the battle for the top seed in the NFC.

 

On the injury front, the Giants lost left tackle Luke Petitgout with a broken leg Sunday night and cornerback Sam Madison aggravated a hamstring injury. Coughlin said Madison's status is up in the air, but he thinks running back Tiki Barber can play with a sprained thumb.

 

At Del Rio's news conference Monday, Del Rio wanted to stress the positive after the 13-10 loss to Houston.

 

"I think there are a lot of good things taking place that get forgotten when you lose a tough one,'' he said. "You have a close, tough loss and all of a sudden, I think you can lose perspective of that. This is a good, hard-working football team.''

 

The Jaguars had a tough weekend that started with Khalif Barnes' arrest early Saturday morning on a DUI charge, continued with wide receiver Reggie Williams arguing with fans in the fourth quarter before being calmed down by teammate Ernest Wilford and ended with their second loss this year to the Texans, who have won only one other game.

 

Del Rio didn't want to deal with questions on those issues, especially when he was told that fans called talk radio shows Monday suggesting the team was out of control.

 

"Those are the kind of questions that to me lead me to question what your motive is in asking that type of question," Del Rio said. "I'm saying that leaves me to ask why you would ask such a question. And I think to take it and use it as a vehicle to do other things with it, I think is irresponsible.''

 

He was even more annoyed when he was asked about the team being inconsistent.

 

"You prepare your team and compete and when you don't [win], you have news conferences like this one where questions are being asked that are ridiculous," he said.

 

"You've got to have somebody to blame. Fine, dish it out. Blame whoever you want to blame. As a football team we go forward," Del Rio said.

 

Del Rio also suggested that the 3-6 Texans might be "a little better than you think. Maybe you're not giving them enough credit."

 

When the subject changed to quarterback Byron Leftwich getting a second opinion about his sore ankle Monday in Birmingham, Ala., from physician James Andrews on his sore ankle, Del Rio again sounded off.

 

"Maybe I'm just taking questions today the wrong way. I should lighten up," he said.

 

In a sarcastic tone, he added, "We've got an inconsistent team that has a coach that doesn't have control of the team, That's what you want to write. That's complete bull is what it is. I'm a little perturbed at the line of questioning coming out of you guys today."

 

He was even perturbed at a reporter he said was smiling.

 

"Whenever you're smiling, I know I'm in for a tough day. You're taking too much delight in this. I would think we're 0-9 and the worst team in the league the way you guys are hammering me today," he said.

 

When Del Rio calmed down, he said that if a player says something that is inappropriate, "I'll make sure I address it immediately."

 

He also acknowledged the return of Coughlin to Jacksonville should live up to the hype.

 

"I think it will be exciting for the town," he said.

 

He said he didn't know if it would help either team, but said, "I'm sure both staffs will be working hard this week to put together a good game plan," he said.

 

This game, though, will obviously have much more meaning in Jacksonville than New York.

 

Coughlin wasn't asked a single question about his Jacksonville homecoming at his Monday news conference.

 

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It's one game, lets remember who they have totally dominated.

 

Dallas, Philly, NYJ, all playoff teams. So they drop a meaningless game to the Texans, they have beaten teams who are even more insignificant, like the The only 6 time Super Bowl Winners and YOUR DADDY.

 

I think MNF is gonna be a great game, it is too bad the Giants have taken so many injury's lately, I'll be rooting for shockey. It's really a shame what Darius did to Plax though on MNF, he will be missed. :D

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It's one game, lets remember who they have totally dominated.

 

Dallas, Philly, NYJ, all playoff teams. So they drop a meaningless gameS to the Texans, they have beaten teams who are even more insignificant, like the The only 6 time Super Bowl Winners and YOUR DADDY.

 

 

:D

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