Coach Jeff Fisher replaced a mistake-prone Young with former Giant Kerry Collins(notes) in the fourth quarter of a 19-11 loss to Pittsburgh last Sunday. Collins guided the Titans (1-1) to their lone touchdown after Young had two interceptions and a fumble as part of his team’s seven turnovers.
Fisher reiterated this week that Young is still the starter.
“I’m not disappointed in him or his development, his path or football jerseys
anything like that,” Fisher said. “It’s a decision I made to try to win the ballgame.”
Young no doubt has fond memories of his lone game against the Giants (1-1) four years ago as a rookie. He threw for 249 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for 69 yards and another score in bringing Tennessee back from a 21-0 deficit after three quarters for a 24-21 victory.
The 249 yards are the fourth-highest total of his career.
While Giants coach Tom Coughlin was asked about that game this week, the questions he fielded had more to do with problems facing his own team in the wake of a 38-14 loss at Indianapolis last Sunday. Safety Antrel Rolle(notes) was critical of the team’s leadership in a radio interview, and has not backed off the comments although he acknowledged Wednesday that he should have voiced his concerns with Coughlin before airing them.
The two have spoken, and believe it’s a non-issue at this point.
“Antrel and I had a conversation …” Coughlin said. “I think that, although the conversation remains private, it was a good conversation and I think he understands better the circumstance.”
Coughlin also met with Brandon Jacobs(notes), who was fined $10,000 by the NFL for tossing his helmet into the stands during Sunday’s game. Jacobs has struggled this year, gaining 52 yards on 16 carries.
Jacobs apologized once again for throwing his helmet, and did the same to the New York media and his teammates Wednesday.
“I’ve been in a state of mind where I hated all you guys, and I apologize to Bears jersey
each and every one of you for acting the way I’ve been acting the last month or so,” he said. “Secondly, I want to apologize to my teammates for putting them in a position to answer these questions about me when they should be focusing on winning games.”
Coughlin has plenty of familiarity with Fisher, as their 17 meetings are the most among active coaches. Fisher holds a 10-7 lead, with most of the games coming during their days as division rivals when Coughlin coached Jacksonville.
There will also be familiarity for the Giants with the Titans, as linebacker Keith Bulluck(notes) spent his first 10 seasons with Tennessee before joining New York.
“We have the challenge of facing one of our own, if you will, one of my favorites of all time in Keith,” said Fisher, whose team has won nine straight against NFC opponents. “That’s going to be a huge challenge because he does know; he knows our defense, he knows our offense and so that in itself will be a challenge.”
Bulluck apparently doesn’t consider his former team among his favorites.
“I guess I am happier (the Giants) just seeing me from afar gave me the shot to come and compete for a spot on their football team and a team I was with a decade didn’t even think to holler at me,” he said.
The linebacker should play a key role in trying to help contain Chris Johnson, who was limited to 34 rushing yards last week against the Steelers to end a string of 12 straight games with at least 100. He could find more room to run against New York, which allowed Indianapolis to gain 160 yards on the ground.
Giants tight end Kevin Boss(notes) returned to practice Wednesday after missing the last game with a concussion. His absence as a blocker and poor play by the offensive line was a factor in Eli Manning(notes) getting sacked four times by the Colts, two of which caused New York to lose a pair of Saints jersey
fumbles that led to touchdowns.
“I think we have done things well and made corrections,” Manning said. “We’ve been responsible to each other and committed, and we have to go out there on Sundays and play better football.”
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