Spags: Giants ‘D’ simply the pits

Steve Spagnuolo used the “E” word — embarrassing — which his head coach has refused to utter.

Spanguolo ripped his defense’s horrific performance in last Sunday’s 51-17 loss to the Rams, the most points the Giants have allowed at home since 1964.

“There’s a pit right here. It’s called an embarrassing pit,” the defensive coordinator said Thursday.

McAdoo has refused to call the performance embarrassing, preferring to say “we’re disappointed” after the ugly defeat. Veteran cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie agreed with Spagnuolo.

“You got to be embarrassed,” he said.

Right tackle Justin Pugh was in full pads for the first time since hurting his back against the Seahawks on Oct. 22, and said his back felt good.

“I plan on playing on Sunday,” said Pugh, who was limited in practice for the second straight day. Linebackers B.J. Goodson (ankle), Keenan Robinson (quad) and Devon Kennard (quad) didn’t practice. Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (day off) didn’t either. Cornerback Donte Deayon (ankle), linebackers Calvin Munson and Jonathan Casillas (neck) and defensive ends Olivier Vernon (ankle) and Kerry Wynn (knee) were limited. Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (ankle) practiced fully after being limited on Wednesday.

Linebacker Kelvin Sheppard is technically new, but he won’t need much time to catch up to be ready for Sunday’s game against the 49ers. He played in every game with the Giants last year, making 47 tackles in 11 starts at middle linebacker, before getting brought back Tuesday.

“It’s more recall than actual learning the actual plays,” said the 29-year-old Sheppard, who was released by the Bears Sept. 2. “It’s more just recalling everything I already knew from last year.”

The Giants were without Goodson and Casillas, their starting middle linebackers, last Sunday against the Rams.