INDIANAPOLIS -- Tom Coughlin naturally said he is concerned about his offensive line.

Uncertainty surrounds his front line, especially the left side where left tackle Will Beatty and left guard Kevin Boothe are free agents. The team hopes to re-sign both and Coughlin hopes he will have them back.

"It’s a concern, no doubt," Coughlin said. "We’ve got a lot of young kids that are going to have to step it up, no matter who you think: (James) Brewer, (Matt) McCants, (Brandon) Mosley, (Stephen) Goodin, (Selvish) Capers; all those kids have been looking for an opportunity.

"Here it is, depending on what happens here obviously," Coughlin continued. "We would like for the free agents to be on our team. I wouldn’t want to think about losing any of them."

Running competition: Coughlin was asked about his running back situation now with Ahmad Bradshaw gone.

"David Wilson, Andre Brown, Da’Rel Scott," Coughlin said. "There’s a few guys that will compete like heck for that job."

"The more competition the better so the question of who, what, where, when; they’re all going to play," he added. "They’re going to contribute, compete with one another and hopefully make us better just like all other forms of competition."

Painful cuts: Coughlin talked about how hard it was to part ways with Bradshaw, Chris Canty and Michael Boley after the Giants released those three veterans to clear cap space and move in a different direction.

Bradshaw's release hit Coughlin especially hard. Coughlin greatly admired the running back's toughness.

"Tough," he repeatedly said. "He’s a young man, he’s a human being, nobody’s perfect, but when that guy took the field, there was never any question about what his intention was and where his intensity was and what he would bring to the table in terms of toughness, courage and how he played.

"The Giants organization loves Ahmad Bradshaw," he continued. "We have tremendous respect for him and what he’s accomplished. He’s been on two Super Bowl champion teams and played the game when there would be many, many people who wouldn’t even try it. (He) can’t walk Thursday, but he plays on Sunday. From that standpoint, when he came down to my office, it was tough. It was very tough. I’d be less than honest if I didn’t tell you that."