david dieHl - New York Giants

wall. Sunday's performance was a great example of how that's not always the case and it's not
automatic.
"There are a lot of proud guys in that locker room looking to me for answers," Coughlin said.
"The answers are not easy ones."
He provided one, though, by basically saying somebody has to make that Cruz-like play.
"You have to earn the confidence. You don't just talk about it," Coughlin said. "Sometimes I get
tired of talking, talking, talking. You do have to go on the field, by yourself, 11 of you out there,
because everyone else is over here, and accomplish that."
Translation: This team is without that on-field leader, that player willing or able to lift this entire
roster.
Justin Tuck wasn't able to do it Sunday. The defensive captain was on the sideline, inactive with
a shoulder injury. Defensive tackle Chris Canty tried to make it happen with back-to-back tackles
for losses of 2 and 7 yards, but one play later, the battered secondary gave up a 39-yard catch to
set up a field goal that made it 17-7 after the Giants had shaken off a terrible start to pull within
a touchdown. (Canty then left with a knee injury and didn't return.)
Cruz is trying to do it, but he's getting blanketed and pinballed all over the field by defensive
backs trying (unsuccessfully) to knock him out of the game. Last week, it was the Falcons' Chris
Hope, who drew a $30,000 fine. This week, Ravens safety Ed Reed whacked Cruz and could be
having conversations with the league in regard to a suspension.