EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The struggling New York Giants continued to tinker with their defensive line Friday, demoting longtime starting end Osi Umenyiora and starting tackle Fred Robbins to the second unit during practice.
Mathias Kiwanuka replaced Umenyiora, and Chris Canty took Robbins' place on the first unit.
New York has lost five of its last six games and hopes to salvage its season entering a key NFC East showdown with the Dallas Cowboys.
If the changes remain in place Sunday, it would mark the first time since 2004 that former Pro Bowl pick Umenyiora didn't start when healthy and the first time since 2007 that Robbins was a reserve.
Giants coach Tom Coughlin didn't want to address any personnel changes Friday.
"We will play everybody," Coughlin said. "We will get everybody involved. We are trying to do the best we can in maneuvering our personnel according to our team. We preach team defense, so we are going to try to get other guys involved as much as we can and see if we can't solve some issues."
Neither Umenyiora nor Robbins was available to the media after practice Friday, but other members of the defensive line spoke of the changes.
"The coaches are the ones who are paid to make decisions," defensive end Justin Tuck said. "We just have to go out and play. They're the ones who put us into position, and if they think someone else is a better fit, then that's their opinion. ... They're looking to save our season and they're going to do whatever they think is going to make this right."
The Giants' defensive line has been criticized throughout the season for not playing like the dominant unit that helped the team win the Super Bowl two years ago. While Tuck, Robbins and Canty have played through injuries, the defense hasn't come close to the expectations placed on it before the season.
"There's a lot of pressure on us every week," Tuck said. "We know what people have said about our defensive line. But that shouldn't matter now. I like pressure. I like playing under pressure."
Tuck was asked if he would be upset if he wasn't starting.
"I tell you this, you can ask all 53 guys in this room and no one would answer it the same way," Tuck said. "I could care less if I was starting. If someone else starts for me, that would be the coach's decision. I would just wait for my chance to play."
"It was pretty frustrating, because I wanted be out there to help my new team," Canty said. "I haven't played against my former team yet. We'll find out on Sunday."
Canty has played in just four games since returning from the calf injury, collecting five tackles.
"I'm looking forward to having the chance to compete," Canty said. "There's going to be something special about the game. It's a divisional game. We just have to match their intensity. ... I feel if the coaching staff puts me out there, I'll be ready."
Tuck was asked if the game would have a playoff feel to it, considering it's basically do-or-die for the Giants.
"I think any time you play Dallas, it has that playoff feel," Tuck said. "There's a true rivalry there. It doesn't matter what our records are. We play a little tougher and faster. Dallas has that kind of effect on us."
Notes: Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot, ankle) practiced on a limited basis, but he said that he felt ready to play. The team listed Bradshaw as questionable. ... Fellow RB Danny Ware is out with a concussion. ... DB Michael Johnson (groin) didn't practice and also is listed as questionable. ... The Giants signed TE Bear Pascoe from the practice squad to take the roster spot that opened when LB Antonio Pierce went on injured reserve with a neck injury. The Giants also signed defensive tackle Jeremy Clark to the practice squad. Clark played in four games with the Giants last season, but he was waived Sept. 5.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
