The New York Giants’ defensive gameplan for Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles is going to have a major section on stopping Michael Vick.
As far as Tom Coughlin was concerned Tuesday, the elusive Eagles quarterback is going to play, concussion or not.
“I expect Michael Vick will play, and if he can’t play, I am sure he will,” Coughlin said on a conference call a day after the Giants (1-1) knocked off the St. Louis Rams.
Vick was knocked out of Sunday night’s game against Atlanta with a third-quarter concussion, forcing Mike Kafka to finish. Philadelphia coach Andy Reid has not said whether Kafka or Vince Young would start if Vick can’t play.
Giants defensive end Justin Tuck said he would like to see Vick play on Sunday in Philadelphia.
“I mean, that guy is a tremendous athlete,” Tuck said. “Obviously, as he goes, 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.”
Tuck said the Giants might suffer a letdown if Vick isn’t in the lineup.
“If he’s playing, we know we have to be on our toes,” Tuck said. “We all know that Philadelphia is a great football team. We’re going to have a great game regardless of if Vick plays or not.”
The last time the teams met, the Giants led 31-10 with less than eight minutes to play before Vick rallied the Eagles for a 38-31 victory.
New York’s defense will get a boost Sunday. Coughlin said two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora is likely to see his first action of the season against the Eagles after missing the first two games while recovering from knee surgery.
NGATA GETS NEW DEAL
The Baltimore Ravens signed defensive tackle Haloti Ngata to a four-year contract extension.
As the Ravens’ desgnated franchise player, the former University of Oregon star headed into this season with a one-year, $12.4 million contract. The new five-year deal is worth $61 million.
“It just feels awesome,” Ngata said in a statement. “I won’t have to worry about my family, my kids, with money problems. For me to be here another five years is great. Hopefully, I can be here and retire here.”
The deal came before Tuesday’s NFL deadline to sign a franchise player to a multiyear contract.
EXTRA POINTS
Five-time All-Pro defensive tackle Kevin Williams returned to the Vikings’ active roster after serving a two-game suspension for a positive test for a banned substance. To make room for Williams on the roster, the Vikings waived defensive end Adrian Awasom. … Vikings safety Tyrell Johnson was arrested on suspicion of driving while impaired. The Minnesota state patrol said Johnson’s blood-alcohol level was 0.12 percent during field sobriety tests. The legal limit in Minnesota is 0.08 percent. … Defensive lineman Igor Olshansky and cornerback Nate Jones signed with the Dolphins, who terminated the contracts of running back Larry Johnson and tight end Dante Rosario. Johnson, a two-time Pro Bowl running back with the Chiefs, sat out most of last season and played only briefly in two weeks with Miami. … Roscoe Parrish’s season is over after the Bills placed the receiver on injured reserve because of an ankle injury. … The Cowboys re-signed receiver Laurent Robinson and waived cornerback Bryan McCann. … The Jaguars signed receiver Chastin West off the Packers’ practice squad and waived receiver Jamar Newsome. … The Broncos bolstered their beleaguered wide receiving corps by signing free agent Quan Cosby, who spent the past two years with the Bengals.
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