Amani Toomer: Coughlin New Conference, 10/29/04
Fan Questions/Answers

Tom Coughlin
October 29, 2004

Q:  What can you tell us about Amani?

A:  He did some today, he took individual and took a few snaps in practice…obviously he’s not able to flat out just turn around and sprint, but it’s pretty good progress…he does have good strength as I said before…so it’s day-to-day.

Q:  Can he be used in a limited role?

A:  We’ll see how he does…that decision will be a game time.  You know how he feels…he’s got to warm up well, obviously…he’s got to do well with regard to what we can count on…I don’t want to be down a number.

Q:  What can you tell us about Shaun O’Hara?

A:  Really not a whole lot.  He’s still in the hospital and he still has swelling and so on and so forth…so I don’t know, I can’t give you a whole lot of information other than to say that he went in the hospital, stayed overnight and they’re going to keep him.

Q:  Is he (Shaun O’Hara) out?

A:  Well, he’s not out until he’s out, but he didn’t practice yesterday and today and I would hope that this infection could be brought under control in the next 24 hours and he could play…but we’ll have to see.

Q:  With the atmosphere in the Metrodome; is it particularly hard to replace centers just because of the snap counts?

A:  Well Wayne has had a couple of good solid days of it and has been able to point things out, recognize…make the calls and do all that so certainly it’ll be a little different approach or different situation…different tempo, different voice making the calls, but I don’t expect it to be any less…I think he is well prepared to make all of the calls.

Q:  Do you know how this infection happened?

A:   Not really.   All I can tell you is that it started out as a small little red mark on his leg and then they properly identified it and then the next day it was just a little bit bigger and then he did have a temperature when he left with Ronnie Barnes at noon…he did start to have a temperature…that’s why we took him right away.

Q:  Has he been cleared to leave the hospital yet?  Do you expect him to stay overnight tonight as well?

A:  I don’t have any more information since noon and all I can tell you is that he was there.

RE:  Red Zone defense?

A:  Two week ago what did I tell you we were working on?  Red Zone defense, Green Zone offense and third down.

Q:  Is it a matter of scheme or just guys making a play?

A:  Going in we had had touchdown passes against us…we had a running touchdown here a week ago, so you know I think part of it was the predicament that I put the defense in by going for it on fourth down for the second score…but we do have concern on both ends.

RE:  At least Lucier has played in the Metrodome?  Is that more comforting?

A:  Right, he has played there…yes it is…he’s an experienced player and he has been there and made the calls in that noise and so that’s a positive.

Q:  Mark Jones; is he back to being a receiver?

A:  We use him in all capacities each week depending on what our situation is…he’s played defense in college and he’s played receiver in the pros…we had had him for probably the last three weeks in the defensive meetings…this week we put him in defensive meetings on Wednesday and the offensive meetings on Thursday because we felt with Amani down that we needed to be able to have some reinforcement on that side of the ball, so that’s why he went over Thursday.

Q:  Assuming Amani stays active; do you almost have to activate that other receiver just as a hedge against, or is this an either or?

A:  Not necessarily.  I can’t tell you if he’s going to be active…I would want to be absolutely sure obviously that I don’t come up short, so…

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