Abusive, Manipulative Despot Leaves Warner, Manning Hanging






Once the NFL slate begins, all the Larry Bowa jokes go out the window. For those of you into some of that General Patton bullshit, hang in there for a full Giants season with Tom Coughlin --- today's mind games are courtesy of the Hartford Courant's John Alatavilla.

Kurt Warner and Eli Manning have always suspected Tom Coughlin has a plan for them, although neither is certain what it is. The quarterbacks do what they are told and wait for their mysterious coach to tell them where to go and when to be there.

Wednesday morning, that place was a meeting room.

"It's Kurt's turn [to start]," Coughlin said. "That's the way the rotation is. Now it's [Warner's turn]."

In saying there was a rotation for the exhibition season, Coughlin admitted for the first time there was a specific plan that eventually will yield his starting quarterback. Until Wednesday, Coughlin had made it appear, both publicly and privately with his team, that his brain was working day-to-day.

Manning and Warner have played about the same in the first two exhibitions. Warner started against the Chiefs, Manning against the Panthers. Now Warner's chance to take the lead is Friday against the Jets, although he doesn't look at it that way.

"There wasn't a lot said [by Coughlin] and not a lot to read into," Warner said. "He didn't say what his plan was for us, although we've known he likely has one. So we'll just play it out and try to have some fun. We don't know what will happen. And we can't sit here and worry about every play and every mistake."

Coughlin said both will get an equal opportunity with the first unit, although Coughlin didn't know - or wouldn't say - how he'll ultimately divide the snaps.

"They've rotated so many times, have been in the huddle so many times with all of the players that [the offense is] familiar with both of them," Coughlin said. "It's been a big plus for everyone on the field."

The debate over who should start the regular season opener Sept. 12 against the Eagles intensifies each day, although the players are doing their best to stay detached and Coughlin is offering little insight. Coughlin won't even say who the starter will be in the final exhibition Sept. 2 against the Ravens.

Posted: Thu - August 26, 2004 at 07:06 PM      

©