Giants, Coughlin Unhappy With Patriots Grabbing TE

Tom Coughlin was in no mood to be noble toward the New England Patriots for plucking injured tight end Jake Ballard off the waiver wire.

Ballard, coming off ACL and micro-fracture surgery and likely unavailable for action until 2013, was claimed shortly before Tuesday's opening workout of Giants minicamp, a day after he was waived because of a failed physical.

It was the Giants' intention to re-sign him and eventually place him on injured reserve, where he would continue rehabilitation and anticipate a full recovery next season.

But the Patriots beat them to it, leaving Coughlin displeased with the entire situation on Wednesday. "Discouraged is a minor description," Coughlin said. "Very disappointed."

When it was suggested that the Giants might just have kept their top pass-catching tight end from last season on the 90-man roster to ensure keeping his contract rights, Coughlin shot back, "Don't ask me those questions. I don't have the answer for you."

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)