Not So Old News

Tom Coughlin has often said that if he was the NFL's commissioner, his first act would be to take the names off the backs of the jerseys.

The message there is that team comes first, and that it doesn't matter what a player's role is, as along as it helps the team win.

That's probably why he was downplaying the changes he and his staff ordered for the defense, particularly the one that sent Osi Umenyiora to the bench in favor of Mathias Kiwanuka. But whether he wants to admit it or not, the demotion of Umenyiora did spark a better performance out of a run defense that held the previously formidable Cowboys ground game to all of 45 yards.

Umenyiora's fumble recovery, caused by his replacement, played a huge part in the win, since the Giants converted it into a second-quarter, go-ahead touchdown.

Take them all into account, however -- Jonathan Goff replacing Chase Blackburn at MLB, C.C. Brown shifting off with Aaron Ross at safety in place of injured Michael Johnson, and DT Chris Canty going in for Fred Robbins -- and the Giants had a group that made up for any shortcomings through a renewed enthusiasm. So it's hard for Coughlin, or anyone else, to downplay the effectiveness of it.

Even Umenyiora had to admit it was the right thing to do.

"My definition of crazy is doing the same thing and losing every game," Umenyiora said afterward. "I have no quarrels with anyone. I'm all for it. I just keep my head up and don't let it break my spirit."

Coughlin characteristically downplayed the major move, however.

"That's old news right now," Coughlin said today of the demotions. "The contributions of Osi, of Fred Robbins, of Blackburn; the attitudes were tremendous. Everybody has a role, and will continue in that role. It's a true example of guys who decided that the team was the most important thing, so they put themselves below the team.

"The team came first, and they all set an example."

In light of the switches came different responsibilities, too. For the second straight game, weakside linebacker Michael Boley wore the radio helmet and made all the defensive huddle calls. Only when they came to the line did Goff take over, setting the front according to the alignment the Cowboys were in.

That has never been a routine part of Boley's job, but he said he had few problems accepting the responsibility that used to belong solely to his IRed teammate, Antonio Pierce and then to Blackburn.

Considering how the Giants held the Cowboys to 45 rushing yards, the transition went smoothly up front. The back eight, not so much, as coverage became a matter of talking and communicating between each other on the run. The results there were obvious, as Tony Romo racked up 392 yards of passing offense and three touchdowns.

"I'm not surprised it went good," said Boley, who wore it during the Denver game, too. "It's one of those things you have to take in stride, especially being in a situation like that with new pieces. It's something not to panic about. It's different, but it's one of those things you don't really panic about."

Boley also had relayed plays from time to time in practice.

Playing with two new linebackers in Goff and Clint Sintim, who recorded a sack, also went smoothly for Boley.

"They did a good job," said Boley, who finished with 11 tackles and a pass breakup. "They each brought something different to the field, a different spark. Goff having his first start, he was excited. He was real uptempo and upbeat, and you like that, especially when you got guys in there who are new to it.

"They hit it going full speed."

Make no mistake, however. There are still problems with this defense that the Eagles can easily exploit Sunday night. DeSean Jackson showed he can cut up a secondary with his sheer speed and separation ability in the first meeting in Game 8, and Brent Celek can hit the same seams in the middle defense that Jason Witten exploited for 14 catches and 156 yards yesterday.

Witten, in fact, was just another example of how this team fares against quality tight ends. They've faced five of the top guys in the league so far -- Witten (twice), Celek, Antonio Gates, Tony Gonzalez and Tony Scheffler -- and have been cut up for 40 completions for 452 yards and two touchdowns.

Also, make no mistake that Corey Webster did not have a great day as Roy Williams beat him twice for easy touchdowns.

So, despite the emotional victory and the stepped up intensity of the defense, that unit remains vulnerable. They still have work to do if they expect to beat the Eagles. But at least the intensity that appeared sorely lacking against Denver had returned. And much of that was due to the personnel switches.

EP