John Mara & Tom Coughlin Talk Metrodome Roof Collapse, Giants-Vikings at Detroit

In one of the most unique situations in NFL history, Sunday's New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings game was postponed for Monday night and moved to Detroit due to the collapse of the Metrodome's roof after a heavy snow storm blasted the region. Giants CEO John Mara and head coach Tom Coughlin both say the team is doing just fine.

"(The players have) been in great spirits," Mara stated on Sunday afternoon. "They've taken it in stride very well. Most of them have been laughing and joking about it. They're taking it about as well as you could possibly expect, and that includes the head coach, by the way." Coughlin echoed those comments, saying "I think they've handled it very well. I think that the guys realized right away that it was out of our hands and really fully out of our control. We fully expected to get into Minnesota - that didn't work...we're here, the game is scheduled for 7:20 (Monday night)."

Mara explained that there was never any real possibility of the game taking place at New Meadowlands Stadium. The University of Minnesota was a potential host for the game, but the field would not have been ready in time.

There's no denying the experience has not been easy for the Giants. Potentially the biggest issue was not knowing where they were headed in the next 24 hours. "This (experience) has had more challenges than I can ever remember because we were stranded in the airport yesterday not knowing where to go or what to do and then we made the call to get everyone out of the airport and into a hotel," Mara said. "We were staying the night and really didn't have any further instructions. Our original plan was to fly into Minnesota this morning and play the game as scheduled, and we were told at some point last night that with the snow on the roof of the dome that it wasn't going to be available until Monday night. Obviously, things have changed quite a bit over the last 24 hours."

Coughlin knows how important the next week is for the Giants. They'll watch the division leading Philadelphia Eagles play the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night, face Minnesota on Monday and then take on the Eagles next weekend in a match-up that could determine the NFC East. According to Coughlin, the New York coaching staff will begin preparing for the Eagles tomorrow morning before finalizing Monday night's game plan.

Those looking for a definite answer on WRs Steve Smith and Hakeem Nicks will just have to wait until Monday evening. Both are a game time decision.

There's no real way for a team to prepare for not being able to get to an opponent's city, not knowing where they'll be sleeping the next night and finally having to travel to a new destination. Neither Coughlin nor his players will make any excuses for poor play on Monday night but you can't help to think the Giants will be just a tad fatigued when they take the field. As for Sunday night, the Giants and their fans will be singing a very unfamiliar tune.

"Let's go Cowboys."

All quotes via New York Giants Communications Office