This week, Bob Whitfield figures he might have to go with a black-on-black ensemble, rather than the charcoal gray he donned for the trip to Philadelphia.
Why the change to a more formal look?
“I might be starting,” Whitfield explained.
“Look good, feel good, play good.”
The Giants hope the upgrade in Whitfield’s attire is the only tangible effect of a rash of injuries to hit during their exhausting 26-23 overtime victory over the Eagles. It’s a short week for the Giants, who were off yesterday and back at work today for a Saturday evening clash with the Chiefs at Giants Stadium. With one day less than usual to mend, the Giants are on alert for their most serious lineup shuffle of the season. Their hold on first-place in the NFC East remains a slim one game over the Cowboys and, at 9-4, the Giants are even with the Buccaneers, Panthers and Bears for the second-best record in the NFC behind the Seahawks (11-2). With no room to spare, the Giants must dig into their depth as they move forward with key starters hobbled and facing uncertain medical timetables.
Both starting tackles, Luke Petitgout and Kareem McKenzie, were forced out early, Petitgout after just one series when his back locked up and McKenzie when he severely hurt his hamstring. It’s highly unlikely McKenzie will be available this week; Petitgout’s history is such that he often is able to recover from back spasms from one game to the next.
“He was playing well,” Coughlin said of Petitgout, “and all of a sudden he wasn’t playing at all.”
The other injury of great significance was suffered by middle linebacker Antonio Pierce, the team’s leading tackler, who left in the first quarter with a sprained right ankle. He guaranteed he’d be on the field to face the Redskins, his former team, on Dec. 24 but made no such vow to be ready for the Chiefs.
Defensive tackle William Joseph, who had missed the previous three games with a dislocated elbow, left the game on the Eagles’ first series with an injured leg.
Coughlin yesterday did not update any of the injuries, explaining that all four players were undergoing MRI exams and tests to determine the severity of the problems.
“They’re sore, they’re gimpy, they’re limping around,” Coughlin said. “I’m worried long-term on all four of ’em, really. Hopefully we’ll get some good news.”
The five-man starting offensive line has been intact all season but not any longer. Whitfield, a natural left tackle in his 14th season, replaced Petitgout and committed five penalties, including a costly illegal use of hands on first-and-goal on the Eagles seven-yard line.
When McKenzie went down and out, David Diehl moved from left guard to right tackle – where he started 16 games last season – and Jason Whittle came off the bench to fill the left guard spot. Whittle was called for a hold and false start on consecutive second-quarter plays. The revamped group allowed just one sack.
Coughlin said the penalties on Whitfield and Whittle concerned him. “The ugly part of our game showed up with regard to that,” he said.
As for Diehl, Coughlin added he played “with poise and simply made the smooth move to the outside.”
Figure Whitfield will start at right tackle if McKenzie isn’t ready.
With Pierce off the field, the normally inept-running Eagles rushed for 175 yards. The void in the middle meant that Nick Greisen shifted inside, forced Carlos Emmons to move over to the weak side – where he is not as effective – and brought Reggie Torbor off the bench to fill Emmons’ strong side spot. It’s not the Giants’ best alignment.
Clearly, the Giants operate far more efficiently with Pierce in the game.
“This guy is a guy that’s fought his way back from things before,” Coughlin said, before cautioning “I’m not expecting anything miraculous here.”