EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin plans to play his starters for about a half in Saturday night's preseason game against the New York Jets.
"There may be some [players] that extend and there may be some that won’t play a full half, but by and large, we’ll plan on playing a half," Coughlin said Wednesday.
The Giants and Jets play each other in the preseason every year, but this is the first time in several years Rex Ryan won't be Coughlin's counterpart on the other sideline. Ryan tended to play up the importance of this game, and Coughlin was asked if the lead-up to it has seemed any quieter without Ryan in the mix.
"You know what, we’ve got our own issues," Coughlin said. "I don’t pay much attention to what is going on in other places."
Quarterback Eli Manning said he's looking forward to facing the Jets on Saturday.
"They do a good job of mixing up their coverages -- showing pressure and backing out or disguising coverage and bringing some blitzes," Manning said. "So we’ll have to be on our game, from my standpoint, from the offensive line, running backs, receivers, everybody understanding what their responsibilities are. It’s a good scheme that their coaches brought in from Arizona, and they have good players, good corners, and so it’ll be a good test for us."
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. missed all of the Giants' preseason games last year to injury, so this will be his first time facing the Jets.
"Obviously I was part of a couple good rivalries in college [at LSU], so I’m just looking forward to being able to get into some history a little bit," Beckham said.
The Jets have arguably the best cornerback in the NFL in Darrelle Revis, and Beckham sounds excited about potentially matching up against him.
"Why would you not want to go against the best in the league?" Beckham said. "That’s what you come here to do, is to put yourself in the best position possible to go against the best and he’s clearly one of the best. It should be a tough challenge, but I’m looking forward to just being able to go out there and competing."