Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl
With Hurricane Irene churning toward the New York/New Jersey area this weekend, the New York Giants’ game against the Jets on Saturday has been moved to 2 p.m. ET.
“We moved the start time based on the weather forecast and to give everybody an opportunity to get home safely after the game,” said Giants president and CEO John Mara. “There are, obviously, many issues to consider. Our players played a game on Monday night, the stadium personnel has to secure the building postgame and, most importantly, the safety and welfare of Giants and Jets fans. We felt like this is the right thing to do.”
The game was originally scheduled for 7 p.m. The Giants kept a close eye on the forecast on Thursday and stayed in touch with the NFL league office prior to the decision.
Giants coach Tom Coughlin said earlier on Thursday that he had been so busy preparing his team for Rex Ryan’s Jets that he hadn’t paid enough attention to the weather.
Coughlin was asked if inclement weather might affect the way he plays his starters. Coughlin’s plan is to play his first team for a half against the Jets, about roughly 30-35 snaps.
“Will it affect what I do with the starters?” Coughlin asked. “We’ll see how bad it is.”
The Giants are no strangers to weather affecting their games. Last season, the Giants had their game at Minnesota moved to Detroit a day later on Dec. 13 due to a snowstorm that pounded Minneapolis. The Metrodome’s roof collapsed under the weight of nearly 17 inches of snow.
WRITTEN BY Ohm Youngmisuk covers the Giants for ESPNNewYork.com & FULL STORY HERE
Follow Ohm Youngmisuk on Twitter:Â @notoriousohm
