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Rouse in, Brown out as starting safety for struggling Giants
Riding a three-game losing streak, the New York Giants decided to insert Aaron Rouse into the starting lineup at safety for tomorrow's game against the San Diego Chargers.
He will replace beleaguered veteran C.C. Brown, who has been beaten twice on deep passes for touchdowns during the losing streak. Brown missed a defensive audible in last Sunday's 40-17 loss to the Eagles, allowing DeSean Jackson to score on a 54-yard pass play late in the first half.
"This is the NFL, pressure comes week in and week out," Rouse said. "As a team and as a member of this team, everybody has to be prepared to play whether you are a starter or not. We look at it as if you are first- or second-string you are going to be a starter because it only takes one play for you to come up in that starting 11. Regardless whether or not I was starting this week, that is how I practice. I'm looking forward to the opportunity."
In making the switch, coach Tom Coughlin said Rouse plays the ball better in the air than Brown, so he will be paired with Michael Johnson.
"We have three guys, they all play a lot," Coughlin said. "The third safety played 26 snaps the other day. So we are just going to try to maneuver around a little bit and defend the deep ball better, that's all."
Rouse was awarded to the Giants on waivers in September after Kenny Phillips was lost with a season-ending knee injury that required surgery.
Noteworthy
* Defensive back Ty Law has agreed to terms on a deal with the Denver Broncos. He is expected to sign the deal today, pending the passing of a physical, and could play against the Steelers Monday night.
Law, 35, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, will fit right in with veterans Brian Dawkins, Champ Bailey, André Goodman and Renaldo Hill, all in their 30s. He's also the latest former New England player to reunite with Broncos coach Josh McDaniels, who spent his previous eight seasons as an assistant with the Patriots.
Law played 10 seasons with New England before signing with the Jets in 2005, where he had a career-high 10 interceptions. After being released, he followed Herm Edwards to Kansas City, starting every game for the Chiefs in 2006 and '07. Law sat out the first 10 weeks of last season, before re-joining the Jets.
* Green Bay's Johnny Jolly, Al Harris and rookie B.J. Raji have been fined $5,000 each for actions in last Sunday's loss to Minnesota. Jolly was fined for head-butting, Harris for grabbing a helmet-opening to make a tackle, and Raji for a major facemask violation.
Arizona's Darnell Dockett, Carolina's Jeff King and Indianapolis' Clint Session were also fined $5,000 for various transgressions. The biggest fine was assessed to Cleveland linebacker Kamerion Wimbley, $7,500, for roughing the passer when he struck Chicago's Jay Cutler in the face.
