Welcome to "Michael Eisen's Mailbag." Every few days, Giants.com's exclusive Writer/Editor Michael Eisen will pick some of the best questions and comments we receive via email* and answer them right here! If you'd like to submit a question or comment to Michael, click here.
Isn't there a way the Giants can keep Spagnuolo, instead of losing him as we did Lombardi and Landry? Coughlin has said he'll only coach another 3 years. Couldn't the Giants designate him as the "Heir apparent?" Last year he said he has so much respect for the Giants organization. With Spagnuolo being from Massachussetts and his wife from Philadelphia, I have to feel he doesn't want to leave the east coast. Thoughts? Paul
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Dear Paul
Unless he confided in you privately, Tom Coughlin, to my knowledge, has never even hinted how much linger he intends to coach. But he certainly enjoys his job, is very good at it and shows no signs of leaving anytime soon. I can imagine no circumstance in which the Giants would designate an heir apparent under those circumstances, because the clock starts ticking, even if no one knows when Coughlin is going to leave. And no one wants him to go anywhere. Besides, even if what you say is true, do you think Steve Spagnuolo would want to wait for three years if his career goal is to be a head coach?*
Is Aaron Ross back and healthy and going to play this weekend?
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Dear Michael:
Yes, Aaron Ross is healthy. He was practicing during the bye week and has remained healthy throughout. He'll be in his customary spot at left cornerback on Sunday.*
Dear Michael Eisen, Now that the Giants are in the playoffs, do you think that they are going to be using Ahmad Bradshaw and Derrick Ward a lot more often? And they are Ahmad Bradshaw should get more touches. If you look at Ahmad Bradshaw's numbers, he is averaging 5.3 yards per rush! And with only just 67 rushes, he has 355 rushing yards.
*Dear Miguel:
Actually, I think they'll run Brandon Jacobs as often as they can. Jacobs gives the offense its physical presence and he provides an energy that both his teammates and the fans feed off of. He's well-rested, healthy and ready to go. Yes, Bradshaw averaged 5.3 yards a carry. But Jacobs averaged 5.0 yards on 152 more rushing attempts and Derrick Ward averaged 5.6 on 115 more carries than Bradshaw. The Giants' ground game is productive not matter who is running with the ball. In the playoffs, I would expect to see the same rotation that resulted in a 12-4 record.*
