GIANT NOTES
The last time the Giants and Eagles hooked up is not a memory any of the Giants want to recall in any great detail – especially Carlos Emmons. The strongside linebacker was eager to play against his former Philly teammates and did, but was not healthy, adding to the frustration of a 31-17 season-opening loss.
Emmons made it through that defensive disaster still feeling the after-effects of the fractured left fibula he suffered late in the 2003 season. Emmons was not effective, then went down with a strained groin that caused him to miss the next game.
“I was playing the game at probably 75, 80 percent,” Emmons said. “I rushed things coming back because I wanted to be out there so bad. The first game I was out there hurting and ignoring it, just because the adrenaline got me through it. Now I’m feeling a lot better.”
Saddled with a three-game losing streak heading into Sunday’s rematch with the Eagles, the Giants now are seeing what they need out of Emmons, especially with defensive ends Michael Strahan and Keith Washington injured and out for the season.
“I think Carlos, as of late, has played the way we expected him to play,” Tom Coughlin said.
Said Emmons, “The last few weeks I’m starting to feel a lot stronger in my leg and I can really do the things I used to do on it. I think my game is starting to show.”
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DT Norman Hand (shoulder) left practice early yesterday and was added to the injury report as questionable. S Gibril Wilson (neck burner) and C Shaun O’Hara (ankle) again did not practice. Coughlin adjusted the schedule for an earlier departure for Thanksgiving . . . Eagles offensive coordinator Brad Childress said this after studying the Giants defense: “In some ways they may be a little better without Michael [Strahan] in there.” Huh? “Just because they have some youthful exuberance going,” Childress said. “You see a bunch of people that are [getting] to the football.”
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For the first time, Eagles QB Donovan McNabb will face the Giants without Strahan, out with a torn pectoral muscle. Strahan has 118 career sacks, 11 ½ of McNabb, more than any other quarterback.
“No matter if Mike is out there or on the side, Mike will let us know that he is out there,” McNabb said. “We know that he is a tenacious player and these are probably the games that he looks forward to, but I’m sure that he’ll get those guys fired up and ready to go.”