Backup QBs might not be issue for the Giants
There has always been a fear among New York Giants fans about what would happen if Eli Manning gets hurt.
But the way David Carr and Anthony Wright played in the team's 13-10 loss to the Detroit Lions in the preseason opener Thursday should be reassuring.
Carr, the former No. 1 overall draft pick who is trying to resurrect his career after tough times in Houston and Carolina, hit 10 of 13 passes for 104 yards, including a 13-yard touchdown pass to Craphonso Thorpe.
Wright, who was Manning's backup last season, was 9 of 13 for 116 yards, including a 46-yard pass to Sinorice Moss that set up a Lawrence Tynes' field goal.
"These two, David Carr and Anthony Wright, have gone head to head since camp began and there is certainly evidence as of last night that the competition is bringing out the best in both of them, and it is highly competitive,"
coach Tom Coughlin said Friday in a conference call.
Coughlin said there were chances for both to do even more.
Wright lost a touchdown pass when Domenik Hixon could not get a second foot down in the end zone on a second-quarter pass.
Carr lost a big gain when he stepped over the line of scrimmage on a pass in the third quarter. He also was betrayed by his line a couple of times.
However, he did an excellent job of staying in the pocket. He has had problems with that in recent years.
"I told myself before the game to try to have fun, relax and enjoy the game,"
Carr said. "A lot of things have happened to me over the last couple of years. I was just trying to go out there and make some plays and see what happened after that. It's not that I've lost confidence in myself, but you always wonder if you can go out and still do this. It was good to go out there and feel comfortable. That was the biggest thing."
Coughlin said that rookie Andre Woodson would see some action in the preseason game against Cleveland on Aug. 18 at Giants Stadium.
While the backup quarterbacks played well, there were some problems, starting with injuries.
Linebacker Jonathan Goff, the team's fifth-round draft pick from Vanderbilt, fractured a transverse process in his lower back in the second quarter. Coughlin wanted to talk to his medical staff before saying how long Goff would be sidelined.
Defensive end Robert Henderson, a sixth-round pick, and free agent defensive end Wallace Gilberry suffered ankle injuries. Henderson's injury is more severe, although both will be sidelined, Coughlin said.
Safety Kenny Phillips, the top draft pick, was very productive, Coughlin said. The first-rounder from Miami made an outstanding read in stuffing an end-around play as soon as he got on the field.
"You see the performance and you visualize his further development and how he can help you as he goes on,"
Coughlin said.
In other areas, Coughlin said the defense lost containment a few times on rollouts by the Lions and the offense looked a little sluggish, something that was evident in the last few practices before the game.
"They have not been as sharp as they should be and I think, hopefully, we'll get some reaction to that this week,"
Coughlin said.
In their first game since trading Jeremy Shockey, Coughlin said the tight ends looked average. The one area that seemed to need improvement was their blocking.
"There were opportunities to establish some things at the point of attack that had some success but not enough,"
Coughlin said. "It could have been better. You can go right down the line, they all played and they all had opportunities. That position can play better."
Receiver Steve Smith, who missed the game with a groin injury, is expected back at practice on Saturday at the University at Albany. Coughlin is not sure when receivers Plaxico Burress (ankle) and Mario Manningham (quad) will be back.
"The first preseason game can be categorized under one word, that's opportunity,"
Coughlin said. "You either take advantage of it or you don't."
