david dieHl - New York Giants

Q: Some of the players say they have so much confidence in Eli because he’s come through so many
times before in these situations. Do you ever think the players rely on him too much in the sense that
they’re waiting for him to make a play?
Coughlin: “The man is the leader. He’s the quarterback. He sets the pace, normally, for the entire team.
He gives great direction. The way he conducts his life, the way he works, his passion for playing, his
competitiveness – and really, his desire to be in pressure situations, he is an excellent example for all. So
I don’t think it’s bad for them to say that. But I do think they have to understand sometimes it helps to
create an opportunity for Eli. We go from four takeaways (two weeks ago in a victory over New Orleans)
to none (in last week’s loss to Atlanta). We go from the 48-yard line for field position to again the minuswhatever.
I mean you’re playing against defensive teams that are pretty good. It’s not easy, especially
when they’re scoring fast and he’s contributing to that, too. Everybody relies on Eli to go do it. We did it
(coming back to win late) seven times the year before, and I like that for him in terms of when people
think about him and his reputation as a quarterback and as a pressure player. I like that. I want that, but
I’d like to see it happen a little bit right now.”
Q: Jason Pierre-Paul said he’s playing well though his sacks have declined. How much do you look at
sack totals when you judge the guys who are supposed to be pressuring the quarterback?
Coughlin: “Certainly I’m aware of it, but I also know what the total package is and I also know that this
game begins by stopping the run. Quite frankly, that’s not been a strong point for us.”
Q: Is there anything you can do at this point in the season about tackling?
Coughlin: “I think so. A lot of what you do at this point in time of the year is mental. Run your feet. Get
in position. See what you hit. Be the aggressor. Get there first. Wrap tackle. Don’t just try to block tackle.
Stay up and run through. Get some people to the ball. Go in swarms, not individually.”
Q: Domenik Hixon came back from two ACL injuries, which requires a lot of resolve, patience and hard
work. We’re getting into these crucial games and you’ve again made him the punt returner. He was
the leading receiver the other day. Talk about the kind of attitude that he has.
Coughlin: “He never flinched, which is amazing. Domenik is a very good football player. He’s a very
steady football player. He is a veteran who is aware of circumstances. He will stay within the guidelines
of his position and how he is to react according to situations on the field, no matter where the ball is
located, whether it be third down, first and second down, the green zone. He is a reliable, dependable
player and he gives confidence to his quarterback because the quarterback knows exactly what he can
expect from Domenik. We have, quite frankly, maneuvered a great deal of our season to get to this
point with him so that he builds his own confidence that he knew he could continue to function.”
Q: Lawrence Tynes has missed a field goal attempt in each of the last three games. In your first season
here in 2004, Steve Christie had a similar spate of missed kicks. You stuck with him because he was a
veteran and he went on to have an outstanding season. Do you have the same feeling now with
Lawrence?
Coughlin: “Absolutely. Lawrence has done it before and he’s done it many times and he’s won games
with pressure kicks. How do you kick a 47-yard field goal in minus-24 degrees under the pressure of
sending your team to the Super Bowl? The guy has been under pressure and performed before and I
have all the confidence in the world that he’ll do that again. As a matter of fact, I’m hoping he gets in
that position where he can do that again.”
Q: This week you’re in Baltimore and the Ravens have one of the best special teams outfits you've
faced this season.