RENTON, Wash. — There might be a secret to coaching success in today's NFL, though it's one Vince Lombardi would never stand for: Empower your players.

Giants head coach Tom Coughlin was 25-23 in New York with no playoff wins when he arrived for the 2007 training camp in Albany, N.Y., to begin a must-win season. The man renowned for inflexible discipline was concerned over players misunderstanding why he made certain decisions. So he established a leadership council of about a dozen players to deal with internal issues.

Mike Holmgren has had his own players' committee of about half that size in each of his 10 years with the Seahawks. He also had one from 1992-98 while leading Green Bay.

Holmgren won a Super Bowl and went to another with the Packers before moving to Seattle. His Seahawks (1-2) have won four consecutive division titles.

Coughlin's Giants are undefeated and the defending Super Bowl champions.

Players on both teams say the committees enlighten them, unite them, strengthen their teams' trust.

"It just gives us a chance for you to relate stuff better to your teammates than maybe a coach can," said All-Pro left tackle Walter Jones, a Seahawks committee member. "Not saying you don't want to hear it from the coach, you are just more comfortable hearing it from a player.

"You build a bond in the locker room. It's all about respect."

Coaches having veterans as their deputies isn't new — or even with the Giants. Bill Parcells used to rely on Harry Carson and George Martin to deliver his intentions and report back on the pulse of New York's locker room.

IN OTHER NEWS

Seahawks

Deion Branch will start for Seattle on Sunday against the New York Giants, eight months after the veteran wide receiver had reconstructive knee surgery.

Giants

Two days after saying his surgically repaired left knee was swelling following almost every practice, Lawrence Tynes now believes he is ready to kick.

The decision rests with head coach Tom Coughlin.

Panthers

The NFL has fined defensive end Julius Peppers $10,000 for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan.

Jordan Gross' streak of 84 consecutive starts for Carolina will end, while fellow starting tackle Jeff Otah is doubtful for Sunday's game against Kansas City.

Redskins

Shawn Springs, Jason Taylor and Stephon Heyer all sat out practice again for Washington on Friday, although head coach Jim Zorn held out hope Springs would be able to play Sunday against the Eagles.

Eagles

Brian Westbrook was a full participant in practice for the first time in two weeks Friday and appears likely to play Sunday when the Eagles host the Redskins.

Saints

Top draft pick Sedrick Ellis will be lost for two to four weeks with a right knee injury.

Jaguars

Jacksonville will be without half their starting secondary against Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Safety Reggie Nelson (knee) and cornerback Drayton Florence (groin) will miss the game, head coach Jack Del Rio said.

Ravens

Baltimore starting cornerback Samari Rolle underwent neck surgery this week and will be out at least a month.

Titans

Tennessee might be without wide receiver Justin Gage for the second time in three games when they travel to face the Ravens on Sunday.