Though he stopped short of promising DE Osi Umenyiora his starting job back, Giants coach Tom Coughlin said he recently spoke to the former Pro Bowl pick and assured him he is an integral part of the team.

On Thursday, new Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell spoke with the New York media for the first time, describing his new position as a “workable challenge,” while also reflecting on the events that led to his hiring by Tom Coughlin, under whom he worked in Jacksonville from 1998-2002.

NFL Network’s Michael Lombardi reports that former Giants defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan is expected to join the Dolphins as linebackers coach, according to a team source.

Members of the New York Giants coaching staff believe there is a strong chance some of them could be let go following the conclusion of the season this Sunday.

Osi Umenyiora is frustrated, Tom Coughlin is apologetic and the Giants are out of the playoffs. Not the best of times for the Giants or their fans right now.

Giants coach Tom Coughlin said in his post-practice interview that RB Ahmad Bradshaw (ankle/foot) and S Michael Johnson (groin) are both questionable for Sunday’s game against the Cowboys.

The struggling New York Giants will be without their defensive captain for the rest of the season. The Giants announced Monday that LB Antonio Pierce was placed on injured reserve due to a bulging disc in his neck that has kept him out the last two games.

The New York Giants finished Sunday’s 34-31 overtime win over the Falcons without RB Brandon Jacobs, who left with a left leg injury during the third quarter and didn’t return.

Midway through the season, it’s time to see what we’ve learned. I took a look at Ted Thompson, Eric Mangini, Vince Young, Roy Williams (of the Cowboys), Tom Coughlin and, last but not least, Drew Brees, on Saturday’s NFL Total Access on NFL Network.

NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora reports Giants CB Aaron Ross has been ruled out of Sunday’s game against the San Diego Chargers.

Is there anyone who plays the game with as much vigor and as much intensity as Dolphins LB Joey Porter? Porter is the king of trash talk, and he always seems to turn it up a notch when he faces the Patriots.

Is Eli Manning struggling because of an injury that affecting his mechanics, or is this just Eli being Eli?

Giants coach Tom Coughlin apparently has decided he’s seen enough of QB Eli Manning with his team holding a 28-7 lead over the Raiders.

NFL Network’s Bob Papa reports QB Eli Manning is expected to start for Giants Sunday when they play host to the Raiders.

When the Giants face the Bucs this weekend, their heralded depth along the defensive line could be short a couple of names — as in Justin Tuck and Chris Canty. On Wednesday, Tuck didn’t back down from his opinion of the play by the Cowboys’ Flozell Adams that caused his injury.