Being in the playoff chase has put a jump in Tom Coughlin

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) Being in the playoff chase with four games left in the season has Tom Coughlin excited.

The 69-year-old is so energized, he started doing jumping jacks at his news conference on Thursday to share his feelings.

What got Coughlin going was a question about the range of emotions he felt in the past few days. The downer was Sunday when the Giants blew a 10-point lead and lost to the Jets in overtime.

It was wiped out on Monday when Dallas got a late field goal to beat Washington and create the three-way tie in the NFC East, with all three teams having 5-7 records.

When asked about how the Cowboys' win changed the emotions in the building, Coughlin started doing jumping jacks, something he did in the team meeting.

''Jumping jacks for every meeting like that, that's for sure,'' he said. ''No, it's exciting. Let's face it, it is exciting. I've said it many times before, we have to take care of our own business, but to be in a circumstance where we're in the hunt is a good and exciting thing. And I think the players realize that.''

Giants players got a kick out of Coughlin's exercise.

''I have seen the jumping jacks,'' quarterback Eli Manning said. ''They're impressive.''

Defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins still shakes his head about having a chance to win the division.

''Coach Coughlin is a very energetic person every day,'' Jenkins said. ''He always has energy, he's always enthusiastic to be here and you have to admire it.''

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie said it's great that Coughlin is still fired up and lets the team know how he feels.

''He understands where we're at and where we can go and still can go,'' the veteran cornerback said. ''So it's always good to see that coming from the head man.''

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