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Does gameplan change vs. Eagles Interim Coach Pat Shurmur?

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There are three interim head coaches in the NFL, and the Giants will have played two of them in the last month.


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Dan Campbell, the tight ends coach who took over the Dolphins on Oct. 5 after Joe Philbin was relieved of his duties, fell to the Giants, 31-24, in Week 14. And now Pat Shurmur, the former Philadelphia offensive coordinator, will ready the Eagles for their season finale against Big Blue just five days after the organization parted ways with third-year coach Chip Kelly.

That doesn't leave time for much change, if any.

"I think they continue to play the system that they have," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said Wednesday. "Why would they change? They practiced yesterday."

Additionally, Shurmur might not alter much based on their recent success against the Giants. After taking over in 2013, Kelly finishes his tenure with a 4-1 record against the NFC East foe.

"That's the same team," left guard Justin Pugh said. "It's not like they're trotting out anyone different. Chip Kelly's not going out there putting a helmet on. So I'm not really worried about what's going to happen. They know the game plan. They play their brand of football. So we've got to go out there and we've got to execute our game plan. We've got to play a well-rounded game."

Nonetheless, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will be ready for any wrinkles, especially since Shurmur was his offensive coordinator for two years when he was head coach of the Rams.

"That's the, I don't want to say dilemma, but that's the guessing game right now," Spagnuolo said. "But I can't imagine they change too much. There will be a couple of wrinkles here and there. What is a little challenging is the tendency part of it. Normally we would try to get a beat on the play-caller has a tendency to run this and that. That won't be there. Maybe two years working with Pat in St. Louis will help."

Philadelphia's coaching change was just one of the many storylines heading into the 2015 finale. Here are three takeaways form the day:

1. ODELL RETURNS FROM ONE-GAME SUSPENSION

Pro Bowl wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. returned to practice today after serving a one-game suspension imposed by the NFL for his actions in the Panthers game.

"It was tough," Beckham said. "It was tough just not being able to be here with my teammates. I think sometimes you're so fortunate to be able to do this and you may take it for granted like, 'Oh, I don't want to go into work today.' And just having some time off, being able to sit back and you really miss this, you miss being here and I'm definitely happy to be back."

Coughlin pointed out that Beckham was "very quiet" in team meetings as he went back to work. But that doesn't mean he won't be electric on Sundays.

"I hadn't noticed anything yet," Manning said. "I'm not in many meetings with him. Still want him to bring the same energy and same enthusiasm that he brings to practice and to games. So just go out there and play football and do his job at a high level."

2. INJURY REPORT

Photos from Wednesday's Giants practice

For the Giants, S Craig Dahl (concussion), OT Marshall Newhouse (concussion), DE Jason Pierre-Paul (ankle), S Cooper Taylor (concussion), and LB J.T. Thomas III (ankle) did not participate in practice. WR Dwayne Harris (back/shoulder) was limited.

For the Eagles, WR Seyi Ajirotutu (ankle), DT Bennie Logan (calf), and CB Byron Maxwell (shoulder) did not practice. OT Dennis Kelly (ankle), K Caleb Sturgis (right hamstring), and CB Jaylen Watkins (shin) were full-go.

3. JPP GETS IN GEAR

In seven games back from his serious hand injury, Jason Pierre-Paul has notched 20 tackles (four for loss), seven quarterback hits, four passes defensed, two fumble recoveries, and a sack, which came two weeks ago against Carolina. In 10 career games against the Eagles, Pierre-Paul has 5.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss.

"We've all talked about it, it took a while to kind of get in gear," Spagnuolo said. "I think you see signs of that. I think he would probably tell you he'd like to consistently do that a little bit more. I'm not one to speak for him, but it can't be all that easy when you're playing with a club on your hand."

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