Ahmad Bradshaw reiterated today on national television that he expects to be in uniform Sunday when the Giants visit the Baltimore Ravens.
"I'm playing," Bradshaw said in an interview on ESPN's Sportscenter. "I just have to get it through to Tom Coughlin and the training staff. As of right now, I feel like I can go and be ready Sunday."
Bradshaw, whose sprained knee kept him out of the Giants' loss in Atlanta on Sunday, yesterday said in the Giants' locker room that he would be "ready Sunday."
Coughlin, however, said he was "not sure," because Bradshaw must be cleared by the team's medical staff.
Asked what "get it through" to Coughlin, the doctors and athletic trainers meant, Bradshaw said, "Just assume that I can practice on Friday and Saturday and be able to perform on Sunday."
Bradshaw knows what it takes to convince Coughlin of his ability to play.
"You have to gain his trust," Bradshaw said. "I guess I have to do it through the week with my mental focus in meetings. Hopefully on Friday and Saturday, I can be there."
Despite missing two games, Bradshaw leads the Giants this season with 196 carries and 869 rushing yards. He has also caught 21 passes and scored five touchdowns.
Without him against Atlanta, the Giants rushed for 97 yards, including 55 by David Wilson, the rookie who replaced him in the starting lineup. The loss dropped the Giants from sole possession of first place in the NFC East.
The Giants still control their postseason destiny. Two victories in the final two games guarantees them a spot in the tourney.
"We like having our backs against the wall," Bradshaw said. "We like to play coming out of a hole and right now, we put ourselves in that predicament. It's something we've been in before.
"I think this is how we like it. This team has been together for years. We have two Super Bowl rings in the last five years and putting all of that together, I think … that we'll be fine."
*The Giants have waived defensive back Terrence Frederick and re-signed offensive lineman Selvish Capers. Frederick was signed off the practice squad on Saturday and made his NFL debut on special teams against the Falcons. Capers was waived when Frederick was signed.
