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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. –** The players selected to play in the 2013 Pro Bowl will be announced tomorrow and the Giants generally considered to have a chance to go have been there twice before – safety Antrel Rolle and defensive end Justin Tuck.
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"It's always a great accomplishment," Rolle said. "But more importantly, I think my main goal and focus has always been how we produce as a team. It doesn't take anything away from the Pro Bowl or my own personal accolades, but at the same time, I would give my left arm to be playing in the postseason right now. You have to take the good with the bad and the bad with the good."
Tom Coughlin is not a big advocate of individual awards, but he believes Rolle should go to Hawaii.
"He deserves to be a Pro Bowler the way he's played," Coughlin said. "He's had an outstanding season. It's a source of pride and an honor to the organization to have a player recognized like that, and he is deserving."
Tuck, the nine-year defensive end, was a Pro Bowler in 2008 and 2010. He leads the Giants with 9.0 sacks, including 6.5 in the last four games.
"I'm never surprised by anything," Tuck said. "There have been years I was surprised I didn't go and years that I was surprised that I did. If it happens, I'll go there and represent the NFC, or whatever the format is, I'll go over there and represent my team to the best of my ability. If not, I'll be somewhere spending a lot of time with my family."
Rolle said Tuck should play in the Pro Bowl.
"I think Justin Tuck has had an exceptional year," Rolle said. "He's battled a lot of injuries, sickness and so forth, and you would never know by his play on the field."
And yes, Tuck is backing Rolle's candidacy as well.
"I think he's our defensive MVP this year and I think he's played Pro Bowl-ish, absolutely," Tuck said.
For the first time ever, Pro Bowl players will not be divided by conference, which means Rolle and Tuck might play on opposing teams if they are selected. Players will be selected without regard to conference in voting by fans, coaches and players. For example, the top six quarterbacks following voting will earn distinction as All-Stars, regardless of how many are from AFC or NFC teams.
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Running back Peyton Hills missed the Detroit game with a concussion. Another back, Andre Brown, left the game in overtime to be examined for a concussion. Both players have completed the NFL protocol and practiced fully today as the Giants continued preparing for their season finale Sunday at home vs. Washington.
"They did well, both of them," Coughlin said. "There didn't seem to be any issues."
Both players are eager to carry the ball on Sunday.
"I want to play in every game," said Brown, who missed the season's first eight weeks with a broken leg that landed him on injured reserve. "The more chances I get to put film on and show what I'm capable of doing, that's how I look at it."
"My mindset was to get back on the field," Hillis said. "It could be my last game, so I'm not going to go out with a concussion. I'm here and I want to play and hoping that I do well."
The Giants rushed for only 66 yards vs. Seattle and Detroit, the lowest two-game total in their history.
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't frustrated, but with new pieces in there, it's going to take time," Brown said. "You just go out there and stick to the plan and hopefully everything falls into place."
- Six players missed practice today (not including wide receiver Victor Cruz, who has been declared out of the Washington game): cornerbacks Trumaine McBride (groin) and Jayron Hosley (illness), tight end Adrien Robinson (knee), defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder), guard Brandon Mosley (hand) and wide receiver Rueben Randle (knee).
Coughlin said Randle had some swelling in his knee.
"Hopefully, it's not going to be much," Coughlin said. "Time to time he has some issues."
Randle leads the team with six touchdowns and hopes to have an opportunity to add to that total against Washington.
"I don't want to miss this game, so I'll be careful about it," Randle said. "But also I'll get my mind set and be prepared to go out there and play. I don't think there's anything harmful or serious that I haven't been through already, so hopefully Sunday I'll be fine and go out there and be able to play."
- Guard David Diehl (knee), defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins (shin/quad) and cornerback Terrell Thomas (knee) were limited.
- Thomas has been named the winner of the 13th annual George Young Good Guy Award, as voted on by the Giants' chapter of the Professional Football Writers of America.
The award, named for the late general manager of the Giants, is given annually to honor a Giants player for his consistent and outstanding cooperation with the writers who cover the team on a daily basis. Thomas, the Giants' cornerback, made a successful comeback from his third torn ACL and was always available to talk about his play, his health or the team – as he has throughout his NFL career.
Guard Kevin Boothe finished second in the voting, and cornerback Prince Amukamara finished third. Rolle won the award last year.
