8/20 NY Giants NFL Preseason Quotes from Head Coach Tom Coughlin

The New York Giants have suffered numerous injuries throughout August practices. As the Giants leave Albany, head coach Tom Coughlin admitted the team is not yet where he wants it to be.

"I think that we made some progress in terms of how we introduced our schemes - defensively, a little bit better than offensively," Coughlin explained on Friday. "We are a multiple formation tight end team when we have the flexibility. We have not had that so we haven't been in many formations. Therefore, we are behind in that. But it's good to see Kevin (Boss) out here, Travis (Beckum) out here. They give us an opportunity in another setting, another week to get started on some of that stuff that we're behind on. We haven't had a lot of people work together with any kind of continuity and we need that. Let's face it, we need it. We need it with Eli. We need it with the receivers, we need the tight ends. We like to have the offensive line all work together. I think we have a chance to do a little bit more of that next week."

The Giants started Friday out by signing two-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman Shawn Andrews. Coughlin commented on Andrews, saying "He came in, worked out. He's in excellent shape. He's about 330. We're excited and we welcome Shawn. He's been here for a couple of days and he's had interviews with basically everybody. He's been to dinner with our personnel people - Jerry Reese. So people have spent a lot of time with him. I spent a good half hour with him yesterday. The quality of the football player that I remember from a couple of years ago is outstanding. Knowing that he went through some issues - he had the back and some other issues that he had to deal with. But, sensing now that he really is motivated and that he really wants to play. He's just a pleasant young man to visit with. He does indicate to you the kind of desire that he has to get back in the game."

Coughlin was also asked which players will sit out Saturday night's Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Giants contest. Rich Seubert, Chris Snee, Michael Johnson, Ramses Barden, Jim Sorgi and Eli Manning will all miss this weekend's game. Kevin Boss, Travis Beckum and Steve Smith will play against the Steelers.

The Giants are still one game away from the "serious" preseason game of 2010. While guys like Smith and Boss aren't going to play three quarters against the Steelers, it's still great to see them out on the field. Wide receiver Victor Cruz, the headliner of the Giants' preseason thus far, is expected to get more looks this Saturday night. A few more one-handed catches will land the undrafted rookie a spot on the Giants roster before the beginning of the 2010 NFL regular season.

All quotes via New York Giants Communications Office

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