When a team is mired in a losing streak, the sideline dustup like the one featuring punter Steve Weatherford and special teams coach Tom Quinn is used as evidence of frayed nerves and perhaps a head coach losing control of this team.
When a team wins, as the Giants did Sunday, beating the Titans 36-7, the incident is seen for what it is: Two guys blowing off some steam, at each other.
“I didn’t see it,’’ Tom Coughlin said Monday afternoon. “It’s unfortunate, sometimes it happens in a highly competitive business with individuals that are highly competitive. Certainly would not like to have that happen and would not like to have it extended any further. I’m sure it will be corrected.’’
Weatherford clearly wasn’t pleased as he walked briskly to the sideline in the third quarter after knocking a 61-yard punt into the end zone on a bounce for a touchback. Quinn was there yelling and waving his arms at his punter, who did not want to hear it. As Weatherford started trudging away from his coach, waving his right arm in disgust, Quinn reached out with his right arm to slow down Weatherford, grabbing hold of the front of his jersey. Weatherford swiped his right arm to escape Quinn’s grasp and headed away, with Quinn continuing to shout.
“I’ll be glad to talk to both of them about it, but that will be private,’’ Coughlin said. “I’m interested in all things running as smoothly as possible, and I don’t encourage anything of that nature. Again, when competitive spirits are high sometimes things do happen and you don’t want them to. … You’ll have to settle it down and continue as best as you can professionally.’’
Weatherford said following the game it was a heat-of-the-moment deal and added he apologized to Quinn a few minutes later.
Coughlin reiterated his disappointment in the Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie/Antrel Rolle celebration after Rodgers-Cromartie’s pick-six, which attracted a penalty on Rolle.
“I don’t appreciate that,’’ Coughlin said. “What we talk about is team, we don’t talk about individuals, we talk about a team accomplishment. Didn’t like what it represented. I will speak to the players that were involved in that.’’
Defensive end Damontre Moore had two sacks and two tackles for losses in extended playing time (45 of the 58 defensive snaps).
“I’d say it probably was a good game, a better game for him,’’ Coughlin said.
Running back Andre Williams’ 131 rushing yards was the highest total for a Giants rookie since Ahmad Bradshaw ran for 151 yards in the rain and snow in Buffalo on Dec. 23, 2007, the game that clinched a playoff spot for the Giants. … The Giants’ eight sacks put them at 34 for the season; they had 34 all of last season.