By PAUL SCHWARTZ
The Giants were outside again today, practicing on the Giants Stadium field in the bright sunshine amid moderate temperatures and relatively no wind. In other words, perfect early winter football conditions.
That likely won’t be the case on Sunday in Buffalo. Even though the forecast isnât particularly grim for Western New York, there is a strong threat of rain and temperatures in the low 40s. Yes, it could be another bad-weather game for the Giants, who were dreadful in the cold and wind in last week’s loss to the Redskins. Here’s the debate: Should a team practice in the harsh elements if the team is going to play in those harsh conditions? Giants lore is such that when Bill Parcells was coach the Giants always practiced outside, no matter what, as his saying was “You play in it, you practice in it.” Of course, back then there was no indoor bubble for Parcells to use, so he really had no other option.
Tom Coughlin took some heat for putting his team last week inside for practice and then watching how horribly the Giants handled the conditions against the Redskins. Coughlin insisted you canât perfectly simulate what the conditions will be for game day anyway â how do you prepare for wind if it’s not windy the day you’re practicing – so it’s more important to have the players inside and alert rather than outdoors and miserable.
Some coaches have gone as far as to wet down the footballs for practice when preparing for games in the rain. Coughlin said he’s done that in the past but didnât see the need to do it this week. If the Giants in Buffalo drop the ball all over the place and start fumbling away the wet ball, no doubt Coughlin will hear it again that he didnât properly prepare his team as extensively as possible.