Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie is married again.

After finalizing a divorce settlement with longtime wife, Christina Weiss Lurie, this past August, Lurie is once again off the market. The billionaire tied the knot with Philadelphia resident Tina Lai in a private ceremony this past weekend.

Christina Weiss Lurie is still part owner of the Eagles and remains very active in the organization, mostly in charity and community service initiatives. Lai will reportedly have no official role with the Eagles.

“I am happy and excited as Tina and I begin our lives together,” Lurie said in a statement.

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They say football is a religion.

Well, if that is really true, then there is a certain church in Las Vegas taking it to a whole another level. Pastor Randall can be heard at Remnant Ministries most Sundays, spreading the gospel and sharing life lessons to his wide-eyed congregation. The church is open to believers of all ages, races, denominations – and yes, even to Philadelphia Eagles fans.

In fact, some in Pastor Randall’s flock show up wearing midnight green, as they hinge on every word of Randall Cunningham’s sermon.

“People come from New Jersey, Delaware, and they say, ‘You’re really a pastor.’ They see the tears coming down my face and understand my faith,” Cunningham told Metro. “They tell me, ‘If I lived out here, I would definitely come to your church, and I say, ‘Come on out, we got tons of housing [in Nevada].’”

The former Eagles quarterback was told he would be a pastor as a child, something Cunningham calls a “prophetic message.” The road wasn’t always easy for him as he struggled with temptation early in his career. After some soul searching – and prodding from former teammate Reggie White – Cunningham accepted the Prayer of Salvation in 1987.

“Reggie [White] held me accountable for my sins and told me to be strong about my faith,” Cunningham said. “He would get in my face and challenged me when I was doing something that wasn’t right to get it right.”

Cunningham’s new book, “Lay It Down,” recently hit bookshelves. In it, he details how his faith carried him through some very tough times, including the accidental drowning death of his son, Christian, in 2010. Instead of turning his back on God at that moment, Cunningham jumped in his car and screamed, “Hallelujah,” at the top of his lungs.

“I chose to say, ‘God, thank you!’ How could I be mad at God?,” Cunningham said. “We didn’t call it a funeral, we called it a Going Home Celebration.”

Cunningham never doubted God, even when he was benched by the Vikings after just five games in 1998. He called it a “test.” He was tested often during his 11 seasons here, but he credits Philadelphia for turning him into the man he is today.

“I’m so thankful to God for sending me to Philadelphia,” he said. “I wanted to stay on the West Coast, stay in the sun and play golf but I matured so much as a person there because people are expecting greatness out of you. There is such a drive for success in that town, it pushes you to higher levels. It’s a great place to play because once you do reach the highest level, you earn the respect [of the fans]. They protect you, like, ‘Be quiet about him because this is one of ours.’”

Proud papa
Cunnigham’s pride beams through the phone when he discusses his son, Randall II.

The national media has already dubbed him, RC2. Standing at 6-foot-6, 180 lbs, the comparisons to dad were bound to happen. The high school junior is a dual-sport star at Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), where he plays quarterback and runs track. He’s been timed at 4.6 in the 40-yard dash, and has cleared 7-feet, 2 inches in the high jump. He’s already received scholarship offers from Baylor, Syracuse and LSU.

“It’s very exciting,” Randall Sr. said. “I look back to 1995 when I had Randall. I had to miss a few days of practice and Rodney Peete stepped in. That was 17 years ago. Now I see my son … the No. 2 recruit in the country.”

Cunningham’s daughters are also decorated athletes. His daughter, Vashti, 13, is being recruited for volleyball and track and field. Gracie, 9, is ranked No. 6 in the country for high jump. Dad coaches Vashti and Randall II on their club track team, the Nevada Gazelles. Gracie is still too young, but he will coach her one day soon.

“I’m so proud of all my children,” Cunningham said.

 
The Ultimate Weapon
On Sept. 11, 1990, Sports Illustrated unveiled what would become — at least to Eagles fans — one of the magazine’s most iconic covers. It featured a digitally enhanced portrait of Randall Cunningham — on the run, in white Nike sneakers, with his cannon for an arm locked and loaded — with the headline, “The Ultimate Weapon.”

Cunningham played 11 seasons in Philadelphia and was named NFL MVP in 1990. His highlight reel can play on loop at the nearby NFL Films studio. His records are considered hallowed at the NovaCare Complex. However, he never delivered the ultimate prize, that elusive Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Still, some 18 years after throwing his last pass in Eagles green, Cunningham has no regrets (in his football life, at least) and remains proud of his legacy.

“Looking back at my whole NFL career, I’m OK with it now,” Cunningham said. “When I was playing, I wanted to be the greatest ever, but I also wanted to learn and grow as a man, and I did that, especially during my time in Philadelphia. My life in Philadelphia is what helped me impact people today.”

Cunningham laughs when asked what the current batch of young, athletic quarterbacks think of him. Remember, he was the first one to really integrate the speed and agility of a running back with the pocket savvy of a passer. Now, there are Cunningham clones everywhere you look. Colin Kaepernick in San Francisco, Russell Wilson in Seattle, Robert Griffin III (RG3) in Washington, etc. But ask Cunningham and he doesn’t see that way. He doesn’t consider himself an innovator.

“I started to play football with love in my heart. I went out there and had fun,” he said. “I hear a lot about how I started this new era for quarterbacks, the Randall era … I won’t take credit for it, but I will say it’s an honor to have an influence on these young players.”

Cunningham said he’s a huge fan of Kaepernick, and he recently sent RG3 a text message. When the topic of current Eagles quarterback Mike Vick came up, though, Cunningham’s tone changed and his voice trailed off.

“There’s nothing there [no relationship],” he said.

When asked to clarify, Cunningham politely said, “We talked a few years ago, but nothing since.”

Not playing the race card
Say the phrase, “mobile quarterback,” and the issue of race instantly takes center stage. Black quarterbacks have traditionally been viewed as more athletic, more fun to watch, more prone to make SportsCenter.

But the fact remains that only one black starting quarterback has ever won the Super Bowl, the Redskins’ Doug Williams in 1988.

Cunningham, playing in a blue collar town like Philadelphia, with a mostly white fan base filling up the stadium every Sunday he played here, surely was the victim of some form of racism in his career here. Well, if he was, he certainly isn’t saying. Cunningham always takes the high road.

“You know, I wouldn’t know because I’m Italian,” Cunningham joked. “I was in South Philadelphia, I remember going to the cheesesteak places, there were Italian guys everywhere … so I said I was Italian, too. I didn’t have to put up with that [racism] too much.”

Maybe someday, after Cunningham is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, one of those cheesesteak places will name a sandwich after him. He certainly earned it.

The post Exclusive: Randall Cunningham chats about new book appeared first on Metro.us.

To be quite honest, when I first heard the name “Kobe” and “porn” in the same phrase I was thinking about things much more sinister than dunk contests.

Ya know, cause after you’re charged with rape all bets are off when it comes to public sex stipulations.

But Kobe and the NBA have done such a masterful job of rehabbing his image (the 10-year plan most certainly worked) after the Lakers superstar bawled his eyes out for the world to see in a July 2003 press conference, that most people in today’s society don’t even remember the incident.

It seems suits at Sex.com (do porn sites actually have high ranking execs, and do they actually have offices and wear actual ties and stuff to work?), have forgotten about what did or did not happen in Eagle, Colo. a decade ago as they offered Kobe $5 million to participate in a dunk contest with LeBron James. Yup, Magic Johnson and Sex.com are here to save the NBA slam dunk contest by throwing gobs of money at the game’s most famous stars.

Kobe, of course, should do it – if for no other reason than to send David Stern into a “Jordan gambling at 4 a.m. in Atlantic City” – like tantrum. The same way Rob Gronkowski should hook up with everyone’s favorite girl next floor, Bibi Jones, in exchange for $3 million (also a Sex.com project) just to wrinkle the feathers of Lord Goodell.

One of these days, one of these famous athletes is going to break the porn barrier. You can bet ESPN is already scrambling on how to handle it.

Bad idea genes
So Paris Jackson, the 14-year-old daughter of the late Michael Jackson, is a cheerleader today for some high school out in LA.

In turn, Philadelphia Eagles cheerleading guru/publicity hound Barbara Zaun jumped at the chance to get her name on TMZ by saying that Paris would “make a great Eagles cheerleader!”

Uh, actually I can think of about, oh, say, 31 other NFL cities that would be a better landing spot for Ms. Jackson. Do we really think Eagles fans would treat the emotionally fragile daughter of the most famous dead, multi-colored, formerly emotionally fragile pop singer in the history of the world with class and dignity? I’m sure there would be zero child molestation jokes reigning down on young Paris from guys 10 whiskey-sodas deep at Lincoln Financial Field.

Plus, warm-weathered LA is going to have an NFL team by the time Paris is 18 and her aunt Janet already has the NFL halftime show deal flat-out conquered. Calm down Barbara Zaun.

Follow Metro Boston sports editor and columnist Matt Burke on Twitter @BurkeMetroBOS

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Nothing like signing with the enemy to rekindle old rivalries.

Free agent Cullen Jenkins has decided to sign with the Giants, according to ESPN. The deal is for three years and $8 million. The 32-year-old defensive tackle spent the last two season with the Eagles. He spent the previous, most successful, seven years of his career with the Packers.

“I’m excited,” Jenkins said in a statement. “It’s been a tough two weeks [since being released], going through so many different things mentally, with my family and traveling so much — trying to figure out which was the best scenario. I’m glad that it’s over and especially with the Giants.”

Jenkins signed a five-year, $25 million deal with Philadelphia as part of an incoming class Vince Young deemed the Dream Team. Also included in that class was top corner Nnamdi Asomugha. Both Jenkins and Asomugha turned out to be disappointments for an Eagles team which missed the postseason two years in a row. They were 8-8 in Jenkins’s first season and 4-12 last year.

The Giants and Eagles split their two matchups last season. But the Eagles fired long-time coach Andy Reid and brought in college coach Chip Kelly, who wants his defense to be younger and faster, meaning Jenkins was an easy cut given his salary.

Still, Jenkins was durable over his two seasons in Philadelphia. He played in all 16 games both seasons. He had 5 1/2 sacks in 2011 and four in 2012. He has 38 1/2 sacks in his nine-year career.

The Giants let defensive tackle Chris Canty walk earlier this offseason, in favor of a signing a player with a more manageable contract. Apparently, Jenkins fit the bill.

Jenkins is also the younger brother of former Jets defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, who hasn’t shied away from the spotlight even since he retired due to mounting injuries. He’s been particularly critical of the Jets in his time as a broadcast analyst.

Follow Metro New York Sports Editor Mark Osborne on Twitter @MetroNYSports.

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In an interview with 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia, Burress told Brian Baldinger and Harry Mayes that playing in Philadelphia would be an ideal place for him and that he thinks he could be a missing piece to their offense.

“Nothing else would make me happier. Obviously coming to Philadelphia, instituting myself into the offense, it just adds a unique dynamic to what’s already in place,” Burress said.

Burress signed with the Jets last season after completing a 20-month prison term for possession of an illegal weapon. The two-year layoff from football did seem to affect his performance. He put up his lowest numbers in a full NFL season since his rookie year in 2000. But he did manage 45 receptions and his eight touchdowns sparked the Jets rejuvenated red zone presence.

He hasn’t heard if the Jets want to bring him back yet, saying that team management is “letting the events unfold” as far as free agency. He considered his return to the NFL a success, even as the Jets underwhelmed with an 8-8 record. The interview had all the sounds of someone looking to leave, as he thanked Jets owner Woody Johnson, head coach Rex Ryan and general manager Mike Tannenbaum for giving him the opportunity to play again.

But the Eagles are clearly the team Burress would like to play for this year — as he almost called Philadelphia home last year.

“Yeah, there was a lot of interest there — pretty much up to the last day that I signed with the Jets. There was a lot of conversation there. Obviously [head coach Andy] Reid is a great coach, a players’ coach and one of the best minds in all of football,” Burress said. “I talked to them a few times, they were interested in me and things didn’t work out. But the season’s over, it’s a fresh start and I understand maybe there will be a No. 17 lined up for me next year. We’ll see.”

Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer.

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This post from Gary Cobb summed up the reaction:

If DeSean Jackson wants to frequent strip clubs in Miami,
Florida that’s his business, but when he decides to start taking
pictures with the strippers, then it’s our business.  He’s got no
business taking pictures like this because it isn’t good for his
reputation especially at this key point in his career.

Can you smell the self-serving hypocrisy here? Gary Cobb
think DeSean Jackson shouldn’t be photographed in strip clubs, because
if he does then people like Gary Cobb will be forced to write articles
about DeSean Jackson that hurt DeSean Jackson’s reputation — even
though Gary Cobb thinks there’s nothing inherently wrong with strip
clubs.

Look, DeSean Jackson did have a poor season that fell wildly short of
expectations, and so it’s understandable for Eagles fans to be a little angry
when they see him enjoying himself on vacation. It reminds us that
athletes often don’t — or can’t — feel the same about losses that fans
do.

But to act mock-offended when DeSean stands next to a woman who strips
for a living — as if “stripper” was right next to “KKK leader” and
“Saddam Hussein” in the category of “people whose company you should be
ashamed to be in” — is the worst kind of moralizing BS. A young single
man met a young woman who was a fan of his, and she asked to take a picture
with him. People like Gary Cobb think he should have refused this
woman’s small request, because of what her job was. And they’re the ones taking the moral high ground?

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Besides the fact that the Giants (6-4) have now fallen into a first-place tie with the resurgent Cowboys — though Dallas holds a tie-breaker — Coughlin must now start to field questions of yet another late-season collapse.

Last year, during their late-season swoon, the Giants didn’t have nearly the obstacles to overcome as this season’s stretch. Besides the loss to Philadelphia, the Giants now must face the Saints next Monday night and the defending champion Packers at home the following week.

Despite having a day to cool down, Coughlin and players alike stomped around the facilities, not only upset at who they lost to but how they lost.   

“There’s a lot of things that rubbed me the wrong way, and I don’t like the way we responded to it,” said safety Antrel Rolle, admitting the Eagles pushed them around. “At the end of the day you play within the lines, play within the rules, but you don’t take [stuff] from nobody and [Sunday] night I think we took a little bit. … I don’t know how it’s going to change but in order for us to be where we want to go, things are definitely about to change.     

“I don’t think we’re playing soft,” Rolle said. “Guys are flying around the ball and playing extremely hard. [But] I don’t think we’re playing to the standards we know we can play … and I know we didn’t play with that same intensity as when we went out there and played the Patriots.”  
    
To a man, the Giants know they gave away a very winnable game against a wounded rival. But even knowing that, they all have said that game is already in the rearview mirror and they must turn their focus to the high-powered, first-place Saints.    

Every setback has a silver lining, said linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka. That mindset is something Coughlin has instilled in his teams since coming aboard eight seasons ago.     

“The only bright side that I can think of is that we still have a lot of games to play,” said Kiwanuka. “As long as we can come back strong with a better mindset and get ready to play tougher, then we can still control our destiny down the stretch. … But we can’t put too many quarters like that together and expect to be successful.”     

Big Blue notes

» Brandon Jacobs hasn’t endeared himself with Giants fans for his play lately — and has outwardly said he doesn’t care — so he must figure why bother trying to ingratiate himself with his words? Following Sunday’s loss, in which the hulking running back hesitantly ran for only 21 yards on 12 carries, Jacobs was asked about the booing from the faithful. He retaliated with this gem: “That’s the best thing they do here is boo. I’m not worried about that. I’ve been here for years. That’s just what you got and you’ve got to deal with it.”   

Jacobs also didn’t mince words talking about his own play or that of his teammates: “It was absolutely pathetic. It was the worst I have ever experienced in my seven years. We were top three in the league and now we are like 40th.”    
 
» The 29 total rushing yards were the lowest since Nov. 20, 2006 at Jacksonville. The Giants’ offensive ineptness wasn’t relegated to the rushing game, however, as the offense generated season lows in total yards (278) and first downs (12).   

» Some injury notes on Big Blue players who left the game black and blue: running back D.J. Ware (concussion); safety Derrick Martin (hamstring); cornerback Michael Coe (shoulder/IR); left tackle Will Beatty (back), who went to New York Monday for further tests on his back; and tight end Jake Ballard (elbow).   

» Defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy, who was coming off a four-game suspension, will be activated to the 53-man roster. He’ll take the place of Coe, whose season will end with shoulder surgery.   

» Coughlin said during his press conference that he’s not optimistic in having running back Ahmad Bradshaw (foot) play Monday night in New Orleans. Coughlin added that both Bradshaw and linebacker Michael Boley (hamstring) will test their injuries throughout the week  

» Lost in the Eagles debacle is the fact Eli Manning is now second on the franchise’s touchdown pass list with 174. Phil Simms is tops with 199. 

Follow Giants beat writer Tony Williams on Twitter @TBone8.

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While the ending wasn’t as miraculous as last year’s DeSean Jackson walk-off punt return, the ending was nevertheless heartbreaking in a 17-10 loss to their hated rivals.   

Vince Young, who was subbing for the injured Mike Vick (broken ribs), looked every bit as rusty as a guy who hadn’t played much in a calendar year, but he still showed his mettle in Philadelphia’s penultimate drive. Young, who went 23-of-36 for 258 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions, led the Eagles (4-6) on the eventual game-winning drive that spanned 18 plays, 80 yards and almost nine minutes. Young found reserve wideout Riley Cooper for the eight-yard touchdown with 2:45 remaining in the game. Cooper, who was subbing for the injured Jeremy Maclin (shoulder/hamstring), came into the game without a catch, but finished with five catches for 75 yards.   

Such circumstances is what most troubled head coach Tom Coughlin, who was as despondent last night as he was following last year’s collapse to Philadelphia because he knew the Eagles rose to the occasion – despite their myriad of problems. Coughlin said while the Eagles kept fighting, his team played as if they were entitled to win.   

“I told the team, ‘Look at yourselves here,’” said Coughlin, who peppered his team with rhetorical questions afterwards. “My main question to them afterwards was, ‘Why?’ What would it take for them [Giants] to understand what it would take to win this game, knowing that the Eagles were coming in desperate? You didn’t have to be a rocket scientist to know at 3-6 and [their] backs to the wall to know we had to play harder and we didn’t.”    

The Eagles weren’t a finely-tuned machine, but they played with more urgency, particularly in the second half. The Giants (6-4) tied the score at 10-10 following Victor Cruz’s 24-yard touchdown reception with 11:36 remaining in the third quarter. Cruz, who finished with six catches for 128 yards and the score, was about the only productive Giant and almost became the hero on the Giants’ final drive. It was Cruz’s 47-yard reception with 1:33 remaining, and the Giants down 17-10, that put Big Blue within striking distance for the tie. Alas, Manning was stripped-sacked by Jason Babin to effectively end the Giants’ night and knock them back into a first-place tie with the Cowboys.   

Manning, who was harassed all night and never got in synch, finished 18-of-35 for 264 yards, one touchdown, one interception and the fumble. The veteran signal-caller lamented the fact that his offense waited until production was needed most to show any kind of urgency. He also acknowledged the Giants should do whatever it takes to avoid making heroic comebacks an every-week occurrence.    

“We can’t keep waiting until the fourth quarter to start playing,” said Manning. “We’re confident we can move the ball then and have the chance to win, but you shouldn’t want to put yourselves in position to keep doing that.”    

Perhaps such shouldering of the load wouldn’t have been necessary for Manning had the running game helped out. Heading into the game, New York was averaging less than 85 yards per game, but last night was a new low, as they could only tally 29 total rushing yards. Brandon Jacobs started in place of the injured Ahmad Bradshaw (foot) and ran as if he was the one burdened with the injury. He only mustered 21 yards on 12 carries.   

Coughlin was appalled about a lot of things last night, but perhaps most disturbing was the fact his team was out-muscled by the Eagles.   

“We had 29 yards rushing, which is as pathetic as it can get,” said Coughlin. “It was a very poor performance. We didn’t do anything.”    

Talking about the final offensive play for the Giants, Coughlin tried hard to not name names but it was obvious he was not happy with the way the play broke down. Defensive end Jason Babin whisked past right tackle Kareem McKenzie, who blocked Babin right into the direct line of Manning, who then lost the ball. The play ended what could’ve been the sixth game-tying or game-winning drive by the Giants this season.   

“That was not very good [and] not what you’d like. We put ourselves in position for a chance to tie and go into overtime, but that didn’t happen,” said Coughlin. “I know our offensive line was completely outplayed. Again we had penetration, breakdowns in protection [and] somebody gets beat and the quarterback doesn’t see him … the quarterback also didn’t protect the ball.”    

When asked if he felt his team came in with a feeling of overconfidence, Coughlin said he was assured all week by the players themselves that they’d be ready to match the intensity of this rivalry.   

“I am very disappointed because coming out of San Francisco the talk – by the players – was we will fight, we will play hard and we will do all those things,” said Coughlin. “But I didn’t see that. I saw the penalties. I saw the skirmishes and the things that become a thing of discipline and the things that take away your focus from the game. … I would have expected to rally, but I didn’t see that either.”   

What the Giants saw was a rusty backup quarterback lead his team down the field on the road in a hostile environment, converting all six of his third-downs on the game-winning drive. The Giants’ vaunted pass rush was not there for most of the night, as Jason Pierre-Paul tallied the lone sack. Young might’ve had three interceptions – including one to rookie Prince Amukamara – but his jersey was otherwise clean, as Big Blue defenders rarely touched him.     

“I didn’t see that either,” Coughlin said of their pass rush. “They blocked us. I think they got us three times and we got them once. … We got physically handled.”    

Big Blue notes

» Adding insult to injury was the fact that former Giants wideout Steve Smith scored a touchdown late in the second quarter to give the Eagles a 10-3 lead heading into the half. Smith, who left via free agency last summer on bad terms, relished the situation: “It’s a great feeling. It’s like a cherry on top of the win, to be able to make a play and contribute. Especially against my old team.” 

» Amukamara made a nice debut, picking off a pass and adding five solo tackles. Amukamara was making his first official appearance of his rookie campaign following a broken foot suffered in his first practice in training camp. 

» Victor Cruz may not be the best wideout on the team just yet, but he’s making a push as the biggest playmaker, following yet another stellar performance. Cruz led all receivers with six catches for 128 yards and a touchdown and was on the verge of being the late-game hero until Manning’s untimely fumble. It was the third time in 10 games that Cruz surpassed the 100-yard mark, while three other times he’s come close (98 yards in Week 4, 99 yards in Week 8, and 91 in Week 9).  
 

Follow Giants beat writer Tony Williams on Twitter @TBone8.

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Huge deal, right?

Not if you ask the Giants.

“We think that if [Vick] doesn’t start the offense doesn’t change. They continue to feature the quarterback in ways that moves the quarterback,” head coach Tom Coughlin said Friday. “The quarterback is prone to scramble. He is a big strong guy with a big strong arm. He has been improvising on occasions like Michael Vick has since his collegiate career. We played against him a few years ago. We know his talents and his strengths. He would allow them, we think, to play their offense.”

That game Coughlin refers to did not go well. It was Nov. 26, 2006 and is most remembered for a Mathias Kiwanuka sack that wasn’t. Kiwanuka wrapped up Young on fourth down and thought the whistle had blown as he pushed Young backwards. It hadn’t. Young would up winning the game after the Giants led 21-0 with 10 minutes left (see below).

Young also beat the Giants, 29-10, last season — something the Giants haven’t forgotten either.

“He’s a good quarterback, athletic, can make plays with his feet as well as with his arm,” Umenyiora said. “He came down here with Tennessee last year and they beat us. He had a good game then.”

Herzlich steps in to start

At the start of training camp former Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich was the feel good, human interest story. Herzlich overcame Ewing’s sarcoma, a bone cancer, while in college and after going undrafted this past April signed with the Giants. The fact that he played well enough to make the roster was just the icing on the cake.

This weekend, that’s all over. Now Herzlich needs to step up.

With Michael Boley, the leader of the Giants linebacking corps, out Herzlich will get his first career start against the Eagles. And the Giants expect him to play like a starter.

“He has been constant in his progress,” Coughlin said. “He is a young linebacker; given the opportunity, we will see how he plays.”

Herzlich has seen time mostly on special teams so far this season and so he has just five tackles.

Follow Metro New York sports editor Mark Osborne on Twitter @MetroNYSports for breaking news and extended versions of every story you read in print. We know you like more stuff. Let us give it to you.

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Despite being perilously close to having its dream season dashed at the hands of the Giants (6-3), who no doubt are itching to turn the tables on their hated rivals south on Interstate 95, the Eagles (3-6) won’t be able to use any bulletin board material to fuel them.   

The last time they met at MetLife Stadium, Dec. 19, 2010, it was the Eagles who ultimately knocked the Giants out of the playoffs following DeSean Jackson’s walkoff punt return for a touchdown. So, now it’s the Giants’ turn to hopefully do the same. Just don’t expect anyone on Big Blue to publicly enjoy the chance to theoretically end Philadelphia’s playoff chances.     

“We can’t look at it like that,” said wideout Hakeem Nicks when asked if he’s enjoying the fact that this could be the Eagles’ death knell. “We have to look at it like this is a hungry team coming out here. It’s a rivalry game. We know they’re going to come out there ready to play and take everything away from us as well.”   

Head coach Tom Coughlin took it a step further in playing nice over the airwaves by actually stating that the Eagles are a better team than the one they faced back in September.   

“I just think they are better. If you just look at last week’s game, they had every opportunity and they were in position to win,” said Coughlin. “They have their issues with the turnovers, [but] they have scored on defense two weeks in a row. They scored more than one touchdown [and] scored a touchdown and a field goal off two interceptions. I just think they are improved since the first time we saw them.”

Coughlin said both teams may be 180 degrees in opposite directions of fourth-quarter excellence, but it’s the Eagles’ middle quarters that alarm him.  

“Their second-quarter is huge in the other way,” Coughlin said in relation to Philadelphia’s fourth quarter woes. “They have 93 points scored in the second quarter. Their distribution of points is such that you can focus very much on the fourth, but a lot of people are forgetting about what they’re doing in the second quarter.”    

The Giants are hoping they can jump on the Eagles early to avoid what happened the first time they met when Big Blue needed some fourth-quarter magic to win. The two late touchdowns to seal the road win was the start of five comeback victories engineered by Manning, who said he’s aware they’ll be facing a team with its back against the wall.     

“Whenever you play Philadelphia you know you are playing a talented team that plays physical football,” Manning said. “They have lost a few games, but they have been in them until the end [and] been right there [with] a lot of games decided by two points or three points … They are going to come in excited and playing hard. We have to match that intensity.”      

Such intensity — and desperation — is what makes the Eagles so dangerous, according to guard Chris Snee. 

“We are worried about just getting back in the win column, to take the season series from them and win another NFC East game,” Snee said. “We know it is not going to be easy; it wasn’t easy when we went down there. I know they have lost a lot of fourth quarter leads this year, but that is a talented group [and] they are going to come up here and give their best shot [and] they will get ours. … It will come down to the fourth quarter.”  

Big Blue notes
 
» There are other backdrops to this rivalry that will surely be topics of interests, such as the Steve Smith defection and the Osi Umenyiora-LeSean McCoy summer war of words. During Umenyiora’s contract squabble, McCoy took it upon himself to throw verbal jabs at Umenyiora calling him “overrated.” Umenyiora fired back by calling McCoy a “little girl” and “Lady Gaga.” Although they’ve since played each other, there are no doubt suppressed hard feelings. McCoy ran for 128 yards in the first meeting and that certainly left a bad taste in Umenyiora’s mouth.

“Oh, he said all kinds of stuff,” Umenyiora said of past meetings. “It was pretty intense between me and him. I said a couple of things to him. I don’t remember exactly what I said, but it was rough.” 
 
Coughlin wouldn’t go anywhere near that rivalry and only had nice things to say about McCoy: “He’s about as elusive as they come. Lots of times [the defenders] are not all blocked and he still makes things happen. He’s very difficult to tackle. He’s fast. He’s very quick. He runs within their scheme extremely well. He can pick a spot on one side of the formation and end up on the other side, outside. He’s a very, very skilled and dangerous running back. … For them to be rushing at 171 [yards] a game, given the talent that they have and what they’ve done with the throwing game over the years, that’s a great tribute to that guy and the coaching staff. They put [the game plan] in his hands.”
  
» Mathias Kiwanuka had to chuckle at the absurdity that was the “Dream Team” moniker: “That’s why you don’t label a team that early in the season. There are so many things that could happen. They could still come back and have a strong finish towards the end, but as of right now I think people are looking at them kind of sideways for saying that. But regardless of what they call themselves, we’re going to have to just go out there and be prepared to fight.”  

» Missing Ahmad Bradshaw (foot) will hurt on so many levels. But perhaps the biggest is the passing game and slowing down aggressive defenses like the Eagles. Bradshaw is the recipient of 66.7 percent of the Giants’ screen-pass targets, which is the highest figure in the NFL this year. Before his injury, he was having his best year yet as a receiver, averaging 7.8 yards per target and 9.0 yards after the catch on 3.4 catches per game. He was especially deadly in the first game the Giants played against the Eagles this year. Bradshaw and the Giants used a screen-heavy game plan in the Week 3 win against the Eagles to challenge Philadelphia’s linebackers and counteract their aggressive defensive line. Manning was 4-of-4 for 27 yards and a touchdown on screen passes to Bradshaw against the Eagles. The Eagles defense has shown a susceptibility to screen passes this season, as they’ve allowed 7.7 yards per attempt on screen passes (seventh-worst in NFL).

Follow Giants beat writer Tony Williams on Twitter @TBone8.
  

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LeSean McCoy, the man affectionately known as “Shady,” is as shifty as runner as there is in the league and is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses, because he’s also a deft receiving option out of the backfield.

McCoy is having a Pro Bowl-type season on the ground (906 yards and 10 touchdowns), but he’s also able to keep defensive coordinators awake at night because he’s third on the team in receptions (31) and fifth in receiving yards (196). He has two receiving touchdowns as well.

2. Will Vick suit up or sit this one out?

Vick is suffering from two broken ribs, but to a man in the Giants’ locker room, everyone is preparing this week as if Vick will start.

Giants head coach Tom Coughlin said he too thinks Vick will start and added he’ll think that until the time Vick doesn’t come out for warm-ups.

Coughlin added that should Vick not play, the game plan won’t change too much because backup Vince Young is also a very mobile quarterback.

3. Can Jacobs fill in for Bradshaw?

It looks like Ahmad Bradshaw (foot) will miss his third straight game, so it’ll be up to Brandon Jacobs to pick up the slack.

While New York has turned into a passing team this season, thanks to the ascension of Eli Manning, Tom Coughlin still seeks balance. Unfortunately, he hasn’t gotten it yet as the Giants are near the bottom in rushing yards (89.2 yards per game) and yards per carry (3.3).

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To a man, the defensive players were pleased with the way they manhandled the Eagles, 29-16, and hope that it is a building block for things to come. The win pushed the Giants to 2-1 and with the struggling Cardinals on the docket this week, Big Blue is feeling confident they can continue their hot streak.     

Veteran linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka certainly thinks this could be the springboard game.   

“It was a big win, in the division and it’s putting us in a good position going forward,” said Kiwanuka. “I think that’s the biggest thing [that] there is a lot said about this rivalry and we always want to get this win.”    

Such confidence can’t be surprising though, considering the Giants’ defense was much-maligned heading into Sunday’s game. New York entered the contest ranked 24th against the pass, yet held Mike Vick to under 200 yards passing and even knocked out the elusive dual-threat passer when he suffered a contusion on his right, non-throwing hand.     

Running back Brandon Jacobs was very impressed with the defensive effort and said he was proud of his brethren.

“I commend the way our defense played against him,” Jacobs said of the beating they administered to Vick. “I never wish an injury on any player but with him going out we were able to make more plays on defense.”    

Kiwanuka was also beaming at his locker yesterday when recounting the win. He said he was very proud of the younger linebackers who stepped up, particularly rookies Greg Jones and Jacquian Williams.  

“I think a lot was thrown on Jones’s shoulders early on and he did a very good job at absorbing it and taking on that task,” Kiwanuka said. “And from the way Jacquian was going about his practices and meetings, everybody knew he was a special talent and would have a big game … He’s putting things together quickly and is a good addition to this team.”   

Williams was all over the field. The Giants used the nickel defense (five defensive backs) the entire first half to get more speed on the field. Michael Boley and Williams, arguably the two fastest linebackers, were the only linebackers on the field for most of the half. It paid off as Williams led the Giants with 10 tackles.   

Kiwanuka added that defensive coordinator Perry Fewell’s exotic scheme seemed to rattle the Eagles’ offensive line.   

“I think we did a great job of that [confusion]. Not just the line, though, but their offense in general,” Kiwanuka said. “Whenever you have different groups of guys running in and out, you’re able to give different looks and it’s tough on the offense.”   

Defensive tackle Chris Canty agreed and said getting the win the way they did — and against a team that “owned” them since his arrival – was all the sweeter.   

“It’s a good division win on the road and we’ll take it,” said Canty, who came to New York from Dallas in 2009. “It’s the first time we’ve beaten the Eagles since I’ve been here, so that’s a big win for us. We’ll take the win but, again, we’re now looking forward to the next challenge. It was a stepping stone … definitely a stepping stone.”   

Big Blue notes

» There’s a bit of discrepancy between player (wideout Mario Manningham) and coach (Tom Coughlin) regarding injuries. While Manningham said he’s “cleared to practice” this week, Coughlin said no one has yet informed him of such news.   

» Speaking of injured stars, defensive end Osi Umenyiora worked out yesterday, doing a little running on the side. Coughlin, however, said he still needs to wait and see how Umenyiora’s leg reacts before getting him back into a full routine.  

» Safety Antrel Rolle was still talking smack when the topic of the Giants-Eagles rivalry came up yesterday. The feisty Rolle said regardless of the penalty accrued, he wasn’t going to allow the Eagles to “punk” his team and is looking forward to the rematch: “I felt they were cheap-shotting me a little bit. They were putting their hands up in my facemask a little bit and grinding after the play … I had to let them know I’m not a pushover. I’m not a punk by any means, so sometimes you have to put your foot down, even if it costs you a little bit [with a 15-yard penalty]. It sometimes has to be done [because] it’s more of a mental toughness and attitude than anything else.”    

Follow Giants beat writer Tony Williams on Twitter @TBone8.

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The takeaway by the national media will be Vick’s fractured right (nonthrowing) hand, but for the Giants they got their first crack at the Eagles’ ‘Dream Team’ and looked more than impressive.

“I’m just glad to come down here and win,” Giants head coach Tom Coughlin said. “This is a big weekend in the division, everybody’s playing each other. So to come in here and win was big.”

The Giants (2-1) defense pummeled Vick all game. They had two sacks and forced three interceptions. Vick was unhappy with the officials in his postgame press conference.

“Everybody seen the game, I’m on the ground constantly,” Vick said. “I don’t know why I don’t get the 15-yard flags like everybody else do, but I’m not going to complain about it. I’m just making everybody aware and hopefully somebody will take notice.”

A timetable for Vick’s return is unknown.

Five good …

1. Ball control

The Giants ended their six-game losing streak to the Eagles by keeping things close to the vest offensively and not putting the game entirely in Eli Manning’s hands. Manning had a very solid day, going 16-of-23, 254 yards and four touchdowns, but it was the Giants’ ball-control offense that kept Philadelphia’s defense off balance all afternoon. Even though the Giants didn’t win the time of possession battle (37 minutes to 23 minutes in favor of the Eagles), they made their time count. The two-headed monster of Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs totaled 200 yards from scrimmage. Bradshaw (83 yards rushing and 53 yards receiving) and Jacobs (19 yards rushing and 42 yards receiving) each added touchdown receptions in the win.    

2. Pressure packed

As expected due to their porous offensive line, Mike Vick got battered and bruised by Big Blue. Vick (16-of-23 for 176 yards, no touchdowns and one interception) wasn’t his usual breathtaking self as the Giants found a way to neutralize his jaunts from the pocket. And when he dropped back to pass, Vick was under constant pressure from a Giants defensive front that rarely blitzed. They registered two sacks and multiple hits. Also not a surprise was the fact that Vick had to leave the game with a broken right hand midway through the fourth quarter. His replacement, Mike Kafka, was then promptly picked off by Aaron Ross on his first attempt.

3. Nightmare?

So much for that “Dream Team” label. Manning and his patchwork receiving corps had little trouble manipulating Philadelphia’s defensive backs. Manning hit seven targets, including a 40-yard touchdown pass to the hulking Jacobs, who was running a wheel route down the sidelines. Victor Cruz led all Giants receivers with a career day — three catches, 110 yards and two touchdowns. The Paterson, N.J. native may have played himself into the permanent slot receiver position with a great game. His highlights included a 74-yard score after breaking three tackles and then an impressive jump-ball win over All-Pro corner Nnamdi Asomugha for a 28-yard touchdown to seal the win.   

4. Ross’s redemption

After getting yanked from the lineup earlier in the season and avoiding his media obligations for most of this young season, the much-maligned Ross let his game speak for itself. His first impact play came when he picked off Vick on Philadelphia’s opening drive. Former Giants wideout Steve Smith deflected a ball that fell into Ross’s hands. Ross wasn’t even covering Smith, but capitalized on the error. Ross then made backup quarterback Mike Kafka pay when he picked off the second-year passer with eight minutes remaining.   

5. Shutdown corners

The defense went into the game third against the run and 24th against the pass, but it was the banged-up secondary that made life miserable for the high-flying Eagles passing game. Besides Ross’s two picks, the Giants held the dynamic duo of Jeremy Maclin (five catches for 69 yards) and DeSean Jackson (two for 30) in check. Neither speedster scored. Jackson wasn’t even a factor in the return game, returning one punt for 13 yards.  

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They clearly have a preference though.

Vick, who’s listed as questionable due to a concussion, will likely get the start and Giants head coach Tom Coughlin fully expects to see the dynamic passer.

“I want to see Vick. I think he’s the best player at that position [for the Eagles]. He’s the best player to give them an opportunity to play their best ball,” safety Antrel Rolle said. “I’m the type of guy, I like going against the best. If I don’t go against the best, a win’s a win, we’ll always take a win, but it’s always win when they have their better guys on the field.”   

Rolle added that should they beat a Vick-led team, perhaps it would exorcise the demons of their current six-game losing streak to the Eagles — most notably the DeSean Jackson-led meltdown last December — Rolle acknowledged it’s indeed in the back of his mind.  

“It is what it is,” Rolle said. “It took place last year. It’s not something that we might ever forget, but at the same time, it’s a new year.”

Coughlin has tried his best to brainwash his squad into thinking of Sunday’s contest as any other game. It’s a task easier said than done.      

“What I’m trying to do, okay, [is tell them] that was last year, this is this year. That’s the position I’m trying to take. We’re certainly aware of the fact what has taken place in the past. But we’re trying not to let that affect us right now as we prepare for this one,” Coughlin said, noting that the game is important solely because they’re division rivals. “Every game is equally important. It has added importance [because] these teams have been playing each other for a long, long time and there is passion and all kind of things involved.”     

Emotion will certainly play a huge role in the game. Both teams are close in proximity, not only geographically, but in the standings. The loser of this game falls to 1-2. The Giants, who have been battling injury problems since training camp, will need an offense that can find a way to keep the potent Eagles attack on the sidelines.    

And for that to happen, the running game – largely ignored in the first two games – will need to be the backbone. Neither Ahmad Bradshaw nor Brandon Jacobs have found their strides yet, but they’ll need to at least match Philadelphia’s franchise back, LeSean McCoy, in production to give their team a chance.    

Quarterback Eli Manning said that running the ball is of the utmost importance.   

“We have to stick to our game plan. I think we always try to establish the run and be able to hit play action and get into third and manageable situations, so I don’t think anything’s going to change,” said Manning. “If you can establish the run game, slow down their rush, that would be important.”    

The utmost importance, according to Coughlin, is just getting the win any way they can.   

“Being in a divisional game is important, but every game is critical,” Coughlin said. “A win is a win and that is what we are doing this for.”    

Big Blue notes 

» Count defensive end Justin Tuck as someone who also wants Vick: “Yeah, why not? I mean, that guy is a tremendous athlete. Obviously as he goes and that offense goes you always want to beat teams at their best. Me, personally, I would love for him to play. I think he brings out the best in us too. Maybe we go down there and he’s not in there and we think we got this thing won. If he’s playing, we know we have to be on our toes.”   

Linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka agrees: “Our coaches will do a good job getting us prepared for both scenarios [but] Vick is a one-of-a kind quarterback.”  

» Now that Domenik Hixon is lost for the season, Victor Cruz figures to see more action in the slot. And although he’s sad to see his friend and teammate lost, he embraces this as a big opportunity: “When someone in your room goes down you always have to be ready and be prepared to step up and make plays and show the coaching staff that you’re ready to play and that they can trust you … obviously, to have an opportunity to get some real playing time this week is great. But the other part of me feels really awful for Domenik.”

Follow Giants beat writer Tony Williams on Twitter @TBone8 for breaking news from Big Blue.

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The Eagles may have been dubbed the “Dream Team,” but their offensive line has been a nightmare.
If further proof is needed, just look at quarterback Michael Vick. The lithe passer has been banged around so far in this young season and may still feel the effects of a concussion he suffered last Sunday night.

Giants’ defensive end Osi Umenyiora (knee) may return to go along with Jason Pierre-Paul and Justin Tuck. Outside linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka — a jack of all trades — could even see time at defensive tackle.

2. Can Giants’ secondary become primary?

The Giants are stout against the run (third in the NFL in yards allowed), but terrible in pass defense — 24th overall at 283 yards per game.

They’ll need to apply pressure to disrupt an offense that’s best described as basketball on grass. The Giants’ back four will be greatly exposed if Vick gets enough time to throw to deep threats DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin.

Giants are dropping like flies in the secondary and their reserves haven’t been much better.

3. Running will be the name of the game

The Eagles’ interior defensive line is as inconsistent as their struggling offensive line.

This could be a breakout game for Big Blue’s running backs Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs, as offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride should be calling nothing but runs early and often.

The less the Giants have to trust Eli Manning and his banged-up receiving corps, the better off the Giants offense will be. 
 

Time for a little revenge

Everyone remembers the final play of the game the last time the Eagles faced the Giants.

For his sake, let’s hope former Giants punter Matt Dodge chooses to watch a different game this Sunday, because the loop of DeSean Jackson running down the sideline probably plays enough in his head already.

Giants head coach Tom Coughlin, as well as the players, were hesitant to talk about the finish this week.

“What I’m trying to do, OK, [is tell them] that was last year, this is this year,” Coughlin said. “That’s the position I’m trying to take.”

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