There was a funny moment you can read a little more about in tomorrow’s story, but Steve Spagnuolo made a brief appearance today as we all stood waiting to get into the locker room.

He darted across the hall to a meeting room, declining a few humorous requests to chat.

“I gotta go to work,” Spagnuolo said while reaching to open the door.

Naturally, it was locked. That inspired a chuckle from the suddenly popular defensive coordinator who’s being formally courted now by the Jets and Browns. If the Giants had any real say in the matter, they would probably lock him in a room until the also rans hire new head coaches.

The defensive linemen finished up their get together a few minutes earlier and closed up shop for the afternoon, so he went back into the locker room after wishing everyone a happy New Year.

It almost sounded like Tom Coughlin was in a hurry when he stepped into a tangle of reporters and camera men and production folks and began to break down the first practice of the postseason.

We’ll call it urgency.

“You only have this moment to improve,” Coughlin said. “That’s all we have. And this is why we we’ve got to focus on improvement.”

Essentially, the coach staff did a quick review of the season and selected areas where the Giants need to improve. They split the list, checking off the first- and second-down issues today. After everyone recovers and reports for work on Friday, the various two-minute issues will be addressed.

“So the whole thing is, how’s the other guy looking at us right now?” Coughlin said.

And here’s where the intensity picked up.

“I want them to understand, we’re working,” Coughlin added. “We’re working hard. I want the practices as fast as they can possibly be, at game speed. I want everybody working extremely hard so that we know we have accomplished something right here, this week.”

That seems to be a theme.

We’ll get a review of the first practice from Tom Coughlin within the next 30 minutes. It’ll be interesting to see whether he’s pleased with the intensity.

I was dodging snowflakes and SUVs this morning, so I didn’t pull in until the bubble was close to media.

Don’t waste time worrying about the injury list until next week. If you have to know, Brandon Jacobs, Justin Tuck, Kareem McKenzie, Domenik Hixon, Michael Johnson, Michael Matthews and Zak DeOssie were being held out.

After consultation with the medial staff, of course.

I’m guessing the bravado will kick back in next week if necessary. While catching up on news and notes this morning, I came across this little number compliments of the Giants, under Coughlin, they are 35-4 when leading after three quarters.

That’s a pretty cool stat.

More later from the coach and the locker rooms.

Sam Madison is officially done for the season.

He was placed on injured reserve a short while ago. Rashad Barksdale was signed off the Giants’ practice squad to fill the roster spot. They also waived Edmond Miles and signed free agent linebacker Rich Scanlon.

Barksdale is the first player from the University at Albany to land on the organization’s active roster. Scanlon played scholastically at Bergen Catholic.

The plan is to keep Madison around if possible because he’s the voice a lot of the next generation of defensive backs have been hearing all season.

“Oh yeah, anytime you have a guy that has been a factor like he has in terms of his attitude, which has been great, and his ability to offer advice to a bunch of young guys who are all ears, I just think that is a great thing,” Tom Coughlin said.

Before we got the lighter side of Eli Manning yesterday, he did spend a moment talking about the importance of actually taking full advantage of the opportunity to rest up for the playoffs.

“We have some days off and we have to use that time wisely and get rest and make sure you are using that time wisely to get your body and get your mind mentally fresh and make sure we come in next week feeling good,” Manning said. “We are going to have a big game and this is where it all counts. We have been in these situations before, but nothing from here comes easy and we know that.”

Last season at this point, Manning was looking to break through in the postseason. The improbable Super Bowl run provided instant validation.

“No, I don’t feel any different,” he said. “We know these games are tough. They are always tough. Every team that we could possibly play has earned their spot and played great football and it is going to be a great challenge. It is going to be in Giants Stadium, we never know what the weather might be, but you are going to be playing good teams and you just know that you have to go out there and be able to play your best football. You can’t afford to have missed opportunities. You can’t afford to make mistakes and turn the ball over, so it is always an exciting time. Every team presents problems, but that is why you play this game, to play in these sort of big games in this sort of atmosphere.”

And there are some other notes to pass along …

The Giants will host their divisional playoff game at 1 p.m. on Jan. 11, according to the NFL.

Based on the final standings, opponents for next season have been determined, and the Giants won’t have an easy time.

They will host Dallas, Philadelphia, Washington, Atlanta, Carolina, Arizona, Oakland and San Diego. They will visit Dallas, Philadelphia, Washington, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Minnesota, Denver and Kansas City.

Antonio Pierce was a little gruff while discussing the future of Steve Spagnuolo yesterday, but he did compliment the defensive coordinator, who’s reportedly set to interview with the Jets later this week. He’s also been contacted by the Lions and Browns.

“Spags is a grown man,” he said. “He is his own employee. He is the CEO of Spags Inc. and my job is not to tell coach Spags what to do and what not to do. My job is to listen to him because he is my defensive coordinator of the New York Giants and that is all I care about. Anything else that is being speculated or being asked about I think that just shows you the kind of performance that our defense and coach Spags have put together this year.”

In other words, don’t stir up any distractions before the playoffs.

Eli Manning is obviously saving his best stuff for the playoffs.

He just dropped back and delivered the quote of the season, taking a lighthearted swipe at Tony Romo in the process.

Since the Giants are getting the weekend off, Manning talked about his plans and brought some needed life to the usual Monday afternoon conference call.

“It’ll be fun for me this weekend to kind of sit and watch all these playoff games,” he said. “My brother’s playing, so it will be kind of fun to be able to relax and watch all these games on TV and start figuring out who you’re going to play. It’s an exciting time.”

Wait for it.

And did Manning consider heading to San Diego to watch Peyton?

“No, No,” he said. “No plans. I’m just going to have a relaxing week up here. I have no plans to travel or do anything. My plans in Cabo fell through.”

Talk about perfect timing and delivery.

And there is finally a new poll up on the right-hand margin. Go click something, please.

With so many teams already looking for new head coaches, it’s only a matter of time.

Somebody is going to call about Steve Spagnuolo.

It’ll be interesting to see how the Giants react to the situation. They can’t just throw money at the league’s hot defensive coordinator, hoping it’ll entice him to ignore potential suitors. It seems likely he wants to be a head coach in this league.

Waiting for the perfect opportunity could backfire.

Right now, the Jets, Lions and Browns are busy compiling a short list. Spagnuolo is probably going to be mentioned in all of those conversations.

He’s avoided the subject all season.

Spagnuolo appears to be committed to the Giants, so potential job interviews might have to wait until they either lose or repeat. Let’s see how many teams wait around until then before filling a coaching vacancy. It’ll be a sign he’s in demand.

Getting a number of snaps for David Carr yesterday was all part of the grand plan.

You know, just in case.

Eli Manning is a durable quarterback, but it never hurts to have a backup plan. Carr did fine during the second half, completing 8 of 11 passes for 110 yards and one touchdown. The former No. 1 pick showed off the mobility that kept him alive in Houston, picking up 15 yards on three carries.

“He made a couple of nice scrambles, we’re not used to that,” Shaun O’Hara said at the expense of Manning. “I thought he looked good. He looked fast.”

What about that Super Bowl escape?

“I would hardly call that a scramble,” O’Hara said.

Tom Coughlin wanted everyone involved against Minnesota, knowing that a run of good health could end suddenly in the playoffs. Now there’s little reason to panic.

“For sure,” Carr said. “It couldn’t hurt. Hopefully, it helps the guys around me, too. They’ve got some confidence in me if I do have to go in at some point.”

I’m waiting for a connection in Chicago now, and will be online with more after we get done with the conference calls. Stay tuned.

Minnesota won the coin toss and will receive.

It’s no wonder the crowd in this place is loud. They have to make a lot of noise to be heard above whatever happens to be pumped through a ridiculous sound system.

Here we go …

(Update 1:09 p.m.) Are you cringing every time Eli Manning gets swarmed by the Vikings?

(Update 1:34) Not much doing here. The subsitution patterns do not appear to be more liberal than usual right now, and the defense is making some big plays, so the goal right now continues to be win the game.

(Update 1:47) The first injury of the day is Mike Matthews, who suffered a right ankle contusion. No word on his return. I don’t have a clue whether Adam Koets has good hands.

(Update 1:58) John Carney is a freak of nature. I mean, a 51-yard field goal? That’s like a 65 year-old golfer shooting his age on a regular basis. Derrick Ward got to 1,000 yards on the long touchdown run, and then a flag flew. I’m thinking Koets owes him a big apology.

(Update 2:26) Giants get the ball coming out after halftime, do you give Manning another series to make something happen? Ward has had 37 yards wiped out by penalties and officially needs five more to get to 1,000 on the season.

(Update 2:46) They’ve been showing every score from games in progress on the board here except for the Bears-Texans. Finally, near the end of the intermission, the PA announcer let the fans know Chicago was trailing 14-10.

(Update 2:52) Manning is out of harm’s way now. Ward already has more than he needs, so will he be next? He’s coming in and out.

(Update 3:02) It appears Kareem McKenzie is done so he can rest the cranky back. Kevin Boothe is playing right tackle.

(Update 3:14) Wanna start a quarterback controversy? Manning wasn’t able to find Hixon in stride in the first half. He missed twice. Carr was right on the money for a touchdown. And yes, I’m just kidding around in a meaningless game. We’re now down to the second and third string, by the way.

(Update 3:51) The noise level dipped when the Giants were chewing up yards on that last drive. And when Bradshaw got swallowed up, the fans came back to life. And that was the first time Carney flat out missed, all season. The other two were blocked.

They do have different customs here in the frigid north.

I’ve been entertained all morning by the head gear some of the locals are sporting. Back in New York, most of us leave that furry stuff on the side of the road.

And what’s a deep fried cheese curd, anyway?

It’s not difficult to identify rooting interests here. Vikings fans walk into the Metrodome with jerseys over hoodies. Giants fans walk in with jerseys under three or four layers of winter clothing.