2007 NY Giants Articles and Video

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Giants camp preview

Horton

 

By Gary Horton

Scouts Inc.

(Archive)

Insider

 

Updated: July 18, 2007

 

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New York Giants training camp

Site: University of Albany

Location: Albany, N.Y.

First practice: July 28

2006 Record: 8-8

 

Expanded NFL training camp coverage

 

Three Burning Questions

 

1. Can Tom Coughlin keep this locker room together?

He is under tremendous pressure to produce positive results in 2007, and does not exactly have the personality or demeanor that players rally around. For all of his toughness and attention to discipline, Coughlin's teams tend to be undisciplined on game day with too many penalties and an overly emotional sideline. Nobody doubts he is a good football coach, but if this team fades in 2007, the players could easily bail on him. This is not the most cohesive locker room in the NFL to begin with, and pressure from the media is off the charts. Don't expect these players to win for Coughlin, but if they play well and keep winning, the relationship they have with their coach won't matter.

 

Camp battle to watch

Left cornerbacks Sam Madison vs. Aaron Ross

Corey Webster will start almost by default on the right side, but the real battle is between these two guys at opposite ends of the football spectrum. Madison is 33 years old and has lost a step. For all of his experience, he is probably not more than a complementary corner at this stage of his career. Ross was this year's first-round draft pick and has loads of talent, but will he be ready to compete at this level this early? His strength is the ability to play press coverage, and to play a physical style versus the big receivers in this division. If his lack of experience keeps Madison in front of him, he could easily become the No. 3 corner and play over the slot receiver. However, if Ross could emerge as the starter, Madison could move inside over the slot to disguise his fading skills, which would give the Giants two quality nickel cover guys in Madison and R.W. McQuarters, and two young starting corners in Ross and Webster.

 

2. How can the Giants replace Tiki Barber?

Not only does he retire as the Giants' all-time leading rusher, he has been the heart and soul of this offense. While his overall running skills will obviously be missed, right now the spot where the Giants cannot replace him is on third down. Not only was Barber an excellent receiver out of the backfield who could turn a third-and-long situation into a first down, but he was also a underrated pass blocker with an uncanny knack for picking up the blitz. Right now the Giants have nobody on the roster to pick up that slack. With Brandon Jacobs and Reuben Droughns they will be a more physical, between-the-tackles running team, but don't look for a lot of explosiveness or the big plays that Barber gave them.

 

3. Is this team rebuilding or retooling?

For a contending team, the Giants are going through a lot of offseason changes heading into the 2007 season. They have two new coordinators, a new running back, new left tackle and two new linebackers. They also have a coach who is under a lot of pressure. In addition, some of their stars, like DE Michael Strahan and WR Amani Toomer, are close to retirement. This is a roster going through a lot of turnover. The Giants even have a new general manager, which may not impact the players on the field, but will affect how they acquire players and make personnel decisions. The defense will play a 4-3 over and under style with less 3-4 principles, and players will have to adjust quickly. Eli Manning will be asked to dramatically improve his consistency under new offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride. That's a lot of changes for a veteran team in a very competitive division.

 

The player under the microscope

 

RB Brandon Jacobs. Like it or not, he is now the guy who must replace the Giants' all-time leading rusher. At 260 pounds, he can run over a lot of defenders and in his short NFL career has scored 16 touchdowns on only 134 carries, which takes care of the Giants' goal-line concerns. However, his upright running style leads to a lot of direct hits, and he lacks the flashy moves and quickness of his predecessor. The Giants may only go as far as Jacobs' legs carry them.

 

Fantasy take

How many carries Brandon Jacobs is expected to get will dictate where he goes in drafts this year. If the Giants feel they can give him the ball 25 times a game, he's a first-round running back. If he's more of a red-zone/third-down specialist, he's no better than a third-rounder. Watch how he is used in preseason games and how he fares with the ball between the 20s.

-- Matthew Berry

• Complete ESPN.com fantasy coverage

Breakout player

 

Mathias Kiwanuka. As a defensive end last season, he was undersized, but as an outside linebacker in 2007 he has more than enough size. His speed and athleticism are top-notch. He has the skills to drop into coverage, but his first-step quickness makes him a huge threat as an edge blitzer. He will be coming from the same side as either Strahan or Osi Umenyiora, and that makes it difficult to double-team him. He is the perfect fit at OLB and can still fill in at either DE position if needed.

 

Comeback player of the year

 

QB Eli Manning. Gilbride believes he can improve Manning's play with better play calling that gets him into a rhythm and plays to his strengths. He will also work with his quarterback on his mechanics, footwork and attention to detail, leading to more positive plays. A combination of a more between-the-tackles power run game and vertical passes will keep defenses off balance, allowing Manning to really open up this offense and be more consistent.

 

Offensive philosophy

 

Two coaches will be asked to not only retool this offense, but also take Manning's game to a new level. Gilbride will be the offensive coordinator and call the plays, while Chris Palmer will serve as quarterbacks coach and work closely with Manning. Look for a power run game that pounds between the tackles and hopefully lures defenders into the box. That's when Gilbride likes to take some deep shots, and this is a style the coaches think Manning can really excel at. Gilbride also thinks better play calling will get his quarterback into a rhythm and cut down on the inconsistent play that has plagued him for much of his career. A year ago, the play calling seemed to be chaotic and Gilbride will provide much-needed calmness in that area. Because the Giants will run a fairly simple power offense without Barber, there will be a renewed emphasis on executing, cutting down on penalties and playing smarter football.

 

Defensive philosophy

 

For all of their talent, the Giants did not play with enough aggressiveness last season under defensive coordinator Tim Lewis. They replaced him with former Eagles linebackers coach Steve Spagnuolo and will try to steal a page out of Philadelphia's playbook. However, they will do it from a 4-3 front, with less 3-4 principals than we saw last season. They will attack off the edges with their outside linebackers, safeties and even corners, and will play some man-to-man press schemes behind it. They will use a lot of slants and movement up front, concentrating on getting upfield. The Giants need Strahan to stay healthy and for Kiwanuka to make a successful transition from DE to OLB to give this defense the best chance to improve.

[jerseygiantfan]

Big believer

 

Jacobs confident he can take over for Tiki

 

BY RALPH VACCHIANO

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

 

Sunday, July 22nd 2007, 4:00 AM

 

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Jacobs

 

Brandon Jacobs expects to do well as the Giants' featured back now that Tiki Barber (below) has walked away from the field for good.

FIVE QUESTIONS

 

Here are five questions the Daily News' Ralph Vacchiano has for the Giants in 2007:

 

1. Is this finally Eli Manning's year?

 

He's got a new offensive coordinator (Kevin Gilbride), a new QB coach (Chris Palmer), some new mechanics, a new receiver (USC's Steve Smith) and three years of experience. It's Palmer's job to help Manning shake his maddening inconsistency.

 

2. Can Brandon Jacobs fill Tiki's shoes?

 

He's certainly big enough (6-4, 264) and Gilbride says he's even faster than Tiki Barber. But can he be the clutch player Barber was?

 

3. How healthy are Michael Strahan and Amani Toomer?

 

Strahan is recovering from a bad mid-foot sprain that some doctors say takes a year to heal. Toomer is rehabbing from a torn ACL. Without Strahan, there isn't much of a pass rush. Without Toomer, Manning's numbers took a nosedive last year.

 

4. Was it the players or the system?

 

New defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has brought a new attacking, man-to-man, blitz-heavy defense that the players are raving about. But do the Giants have the personnel to execute his plan?

 

5. Can Tom Coughlin really change?

 

His bosses insisted he play nicer with his players and the media, and he tried to do that in the offseason. But what happens if the questions start and losses mount? If he can't maintain control of locker room it will cost him his job.

 

They used to come from miles around to see the biggest thing in Louisiana in the tiny town of Napoleonville. Six days a week there were 700 people in town. On Friday nights, when Brandon Jacobs played football, the count would swell to 8,000 or more.

 

It was a big stage for a big kid, who put on quite a show, rushing for an unbelievable 3,022 yards and 38 touchdowns as a senior at Assumption High School in 2000. Even then, Jacobs believed he was destined for something bigger.

 

Now the man who is charged with replacing the irreplaceable Tiki Barber believes his time is finally here.

 

"I always knew I would get a stage like this," Jacobs says. "Everybody was always telling me that of all the football players in the country, 3% or something like that, make it. I always said, 'You can count me in that three, because I'm making it. I don't care how I got to do it, I'm going to get there.' "

 

Jacobs' big chance in the big time officially begins on Friday, when he reports to Giants training camp in Albany as the unquestioned big man in the backfield. Barber, the Giants' all-time rushing leader, took his 15,000-plus all-purpose yards into retirement, leaving the 6-4, 264-pound Jacobs - a fourth-round draft pick in 2005 - to fill his considerable shoes.

 

There are doubts about how well Jacobs can do that. He has rushed only 134 times (for 522 yards) in two NFL seasons - less than half of the 327 carries Barber had last season alone. Barber also had a knack for coming up with his best performances in clutch situations that Jacobs has yet to experience. And Jacobs' love of contact and desire to run over opponents would seem to make him an injury risk. Jacobs, a wholly confident 25-year-old, shares none of those concerns.

 

"I feel like this is just another level that's here for me to conquer," he says.

 

"Confidence is one thing he's definitely not lacking," Barber says. "That will serve him, actually. Because there's going to be doubters who are going to say, 'You can't do this. You're still young. You haven't had enough experience.' The best way to block it out is to be supremely confident in yourself."

 

Jacobs has had that confidence since he conquered the high school level and then dominated at Coffeyville Community College in Kansas, after failing to academically qualify at Auburn. When he finally made it to Auburn, however, he was hardly an unqualified success. Stuck on the depth chart behind Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams (the Nos. 2 and 5 picks in the 2005 draft), Jacobs rushed for only 446 yards in 2003 before transferring to Southern Illinois for his senior season. At a lower level, he was dominant again.

 

His confidence never wavered, even after leaving Auburn. He knew the NFL would find him, he says, because "once you know me, you'll never forget me."

 

That applies to fans, teammates and opponents, too.

 

"Some people may call it conceited, but I'm a very confident guy," Jacobs says. "You've got to know you're going to get that extra yard. You've got to know you're going to run that person over. You've got to know you're going to do it because your team is counting on you to do it.

 

"If I don't have confidence to do what I need to do to play football, I'm basically irrelevant to my team. I don't want to go out there and say 'Oh, I think I can do it.' I can do it. Just give me the rock and let me run."

 

The Giants will let him run plenty this season. The plan is for him to get most of the work out of the backfield, giving up only a series or two per game to the newly-acquired Reuben Droughns. New offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride is excited about Jacobs' potential, his rare power and his faster-than-Tiki speed.

 

But he worries about Jacobs' health. The back loves running into and over defenders, but that could take a big toll on his body if it happens 20-plus times per game. Obviously the Giants want him to take less of a pounding, but they also don't want to drastically change his intimidating style.

 

"Really, that's his instinctive, distinguishing characteristic," Gilbride says. "That's what makes him special. Do you want to take it away? That's like saying to Frank Sinatra, 'Don't have the swagger you have.' That's what makes him him."

 

It's also part of what gives Jacobs his assuredness, and why he can stand on the New York stage, look all the way back to Napoleonville, and not be the least bit surprised about where he is.

 

"If all this was unbelievable to me I would think back all the time to how far I've come," he says. "But way back when I was coming on my way here, I always knew I would be here."

 

Daily News Specials

[jerseygiantfan]

Tamer Tom has Giant task

 

Minus Tiki, Coughlin tries to unite locker room and keep job

 

BY GARY MYERS

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

 

Sunday, July 22nd 2007, 4:00 AM

 

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Coughlin

 

 

Tom Coughlin, the hard -driving, rules-obsessed, arm-waving, often out of control on the sidelines Giants coach, has presided over three of the most chaotic seasons in the team's 82-year history. It placed him right on the edge of getting fired in January, but he's not expected to be granted another reprieve if the chaos isn't replaced this season by at least one playoff victory.

 

The moment he steps on the practice field Saturday in Albany, the Coughlin Watch starts up again. So do a ton of questions.

 

Will this be a wasted year for the Giants? Should new general manager Jerry Reese have been allowed to pick his own coach? Is Coughlin a lame duck and did the Giants just put a one-year delay on the inevitable by bringing him back this year, with perhaps an all-star cast of Bill Belichick, Bill Cowher, Bill Parcells and John Fox available after this season?

 

Or was he a victim of an extraordinary number of injuries to key players during last season's second-half meltdown that turned a 6-2 start and Super Bowl dreams into a 2-6 finish and quick exit in the wild-card round? And did criticism by Tiki Barber, his best player, who claims his coach made his retirement decision easier, undermine him in the locker room?

 

What is not in question is that Coughlin is in a tough spot. He lost his best player and his quarterback regressed in the second half of the season. So few moves were made in the offseason that it's almost as if he's been set up to fail.

 

"Personally, I like him," Barber says Friday by phone as he sits on a plane awaiting takeoff. "I would like to hang out and have a beer with him. I have no personal problem with Tom Coughlin."

 

Then, he adds this zinger: "I don't like the way he coaches."

 

Linebacker Antonio Pierce, signed by Coughlin as a free agent two years ago and a big supporter of the coach, didn't like the All-Tiki-All-The-Time theme that emerged when news of Barber's upcoming retirement broke in October during a Giants winning streak.

 

"I was tired of hearing about the Tiki Barber thing," Pierce says. "We are the New York Giants. Every coach stresses individuals get awards and accomplishments, but every week we shouldn't have the Tiki Barber Show."

 

Coughlin's NFL coaching future is at stake. He will turn 61 the week before the season opener in Dallas, and if he gets fired by the Giants, after getting fired by the Jaguars, and with all the player unrest that has marked his stay in each city, it will be difficult for him to get another head coaching job in the league. His high-tension act wears out his players. This may be his last chance, which puts an extraordinary amount of pressure on him to win this year.

 

He issued an edict to his players in June to just shut up and play and eliminate all the in-house sniping. No more ripping coaches in the media.

 

Will Barber's retirement help settle down the turmoil in the locker room? "I think so," Pierce says. "You can't replace Tiki Barber on the field, but you can change things in the locker room. It's a positive and negative. You never want to lose a player that productive, one of the best the Giants have ever had. But at the same time, you don't want to have somebody causing distractions."

 

"I don't really have a response," Barber says. "I am irrelevant to the New York Giants this season. I don't have a uniform on. ... Antonio doesn't know me. He's never been a friend to me. For him to assume my impact on the locker room - he's mistaken. I know this much: It's easy to point the finger at someone who is not there."

 

Three days after the Giants were eliminated by the Eagles in the wild-card game, co-owners John Mara and Jonathan Tisch ended weeks of speculation that Coughlin would be paid the $3 million for the final year of his contract and told to leave. Instead, they gave him a one-year extension through the 2008 season.

 

In effect, in meetings with Mara and Tisch immediately after the season, Coughlin bought himself a one-year audition by selling his plan for the future. Because the Giants never allow their head coach to go into the final year of his contract, Coughlin will be up for review again after this season.

 

"There's worse things in life than having a year tacked onto the contract each year," Mara says.

 

For Coughlin to create an atmosphere for success, the sniping in the locker room must stop and Coughlin must find a way to stop being a lightning rod.

 

Mara says he doesn't buy "for one minute" that the players don't like Coughlin. "There were a lot of opportunities last year for players to tell me or tell Jon Tisch that they didn't want him back," he says. "That just did not occur. I felt pretty confident most of the players did want him back."

 

Although most players wouldn't rip the coach to the owner, Mara insists he would have found out if his team didn't want to play for Coughlin. "The guy is a good football coach," Mara says. "Some people wanted Parcells gone after '86. I never got the sense there was a mutiny downstairs."

 

Although Mara has not mandated that Coughlin win a certain number of games to keep his job, the assumption is that losing in the wild-card round for the third year in a row won't be good enough.

 

"We have to feel at the end of the season we are moving in the right direction," Mara says. "Too many things can happen in a season. You can't pin yourself down to a specific number of wins and losses. I know the focus of everybody has been that he is a lame duck. No way we are looking at it like that. Our focus is he is going to be with us a number of years."

 

Coughlin is one of only five coaches to make the playoffs each of the last two years and he is the first Giants coach since Parcells in his final two seasons in 1989-90 to get them into the postseason two years in a row.

 

One thing the Giants did insist is that Coughlin be a little easier on his players and eliminate the adversarial relationship with the media. He then met with beat writers and columnists to try to devise a better working relationship.

 

"Would I like him to see him be a little softer with the media and with the players? Yes I would," Mara says. "The bottom line ends up being wins and losses. You can't expect somebody to make significant material changes at this stage of his career. That's not what we expect. He's done all those sessions with individual reporters. His communication with the players has been better."

 

Mara sees a difference. He says Coughlin has a "different persona around the office."

 

Even so, he declined to speak to the Daily News last week, presumably upset about the story written from the NFL meetings in March in which he described the criticism he received last season by saying, "Hitler and then me, in that order. Unfortunate, but it is."

 

* * *

Whether or not the new approach works for Coughlin remains to be seen, but there is a different dynamic around the Giants this season. Start with Reese, the new GM. He was promoted to replace Ernie Accorsi after Coughlin's deal was extended, but Mara says Reese endorsed Coughlin during the interview process. The Giants had a quiet offseason, which raises the question of whether Reese and Coughlin have conflicting agendas; the GM has a grace period to build the team his way, while the coach needs to win now.

 

"Tom Coughlin is our head coach and if Tom is the head coach for the next 10 years with us and we are winning Super Bowls, I'm happy with that," Reese says. "We're not looking for a coach. We're looking to help Tom win with this current team."

 

One reason the Giants backed off signing Dominic Rhodes in March is that Reese was aware Rhodes could have been hit with a four-game suspension for violating the substance abuse policy, which is what happened earlier this month. Opening the year with a key player on suspension would not be fair to a coach in need of victories.

 

Coughlin will have three new coordinators this season. He fired offensive coordinator John Hufnagel with one game remaining last year and defensive coordinator Tim Lewis was let go after the season. Sources say the players disliked both. Meanwhile, special teams coordinator Mike Sweatman retired. The key hire was quarterbacks coach coach Chris Palmer, now in charge of getting Eli Manning to the next level.

 

There is also the matter of Barber's absence, which might also be a positive for Coughlin, at least in the locker room. The coach admits he was "hurt" when Barber said in February that he helped push him towards retirement.

 

"Being under the thumb of a coach who was all about control, who really didn't listen to what was going on in the locker room, who kept us in full pads for 17 weeks of the NFL season, I couldn't sit still for that," Barber says. "He was part of the decision. He wasn't the decision. The fact that I have three bone spurs in my right knee and I know I'm losing a step and it was physically hard making it through the season, had much more to do with it."

 

Coughlin's critics are not limited to his past and present players, either. "I respect Tom Coughlin as a football coach. If he gets quality quarterback play I think they can be successful this year," former Dolphins and Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson says. "Is Tom Coughlin my style? No. But he's been successful."

 

* * *

At the league meetings, Coughlin said the talk at the end of the season about him getting fired was "embarrassing. It's embarrassing not only to me, but to my family. But I know it's part of the game. I admire ownership for the position they took at the end of the season."

 

When asked what he is referring to, he says: "As far as me staying. It would have been easy to go the other way, according to what I understand."

 

The Giants hope history repeats itself. At the end of a disappointing season in 1999, they gave Jim Fassel, who had one year left on his contract, a one-year extension. Their mandate to him was to win. He took the Giants to the Super Bowl and received a new four-year deal.

 

Pierce says players are more concerned about their own jobs than the coach's. But they are tied together. "If the head man goes down, then a new guy comes in and brings in all his guys," Pierce says. "You get Charlie Weis, Bill Cowher, he brings in his guys. I worry about that."

[jerseygiantfan]

*

[jerseygiantfan]

As camp nears, Strahan status remains a Giant question

 

BY RALPH VACCHIANO

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

 

Tuesday, July 24th 2007, 9:07 AM

 

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Michael Strahan

 

It looks like the often controversial Michael Strahan will report to Giants training camp without holding out.

 

Michael Strahan almost certainly will report to training camp with the rest of his Giants teammates on Friday morning.

 

Probably ... at least, he will unless he changes his mind.

 

According to sources on both sides, there are no current plans for the 35-year-old Strahan to hold out in an effort to get an increase in his $4 million salary, despite months of rumors and reports. However, everyone acknowledges that Strahan is unhappy with his contract, not thrilled with the team's offseason activity, and is a wild card who on a whim could decide not to show up.

 

For the moment, though, that's not part of his strategy. And the Giants don't expect that to change.

 

"I'm not worried about that at all," Giants GM Jerry Reese told the Daily News yesterday. "That's been rumored since the very beginning. I don't anticipate that happening. But you try to prepare for anything that can happen. If that does happen, we'll be prepared for it."

 

Strahan's agent, Tony Agnone, declined comment and Strahan was unable to be reached for comment. According to sources, however, his unhappiness stems from a contentious meeting with Giants management in March, when he was rebuffed in his efforts to get a bump in his contract (he's due $4 million both this year and next) and expressed his worries about the direction of the team.

 

Reese declined to comment on the specifics of that meeting. "That's one of those in-house things that we keep to ourselves," he said. But since then, Strahan's situation has been complicated by the six-year, $72 million contract (with $30 million guaranteed) that Indianapolis gave defensive end Dwight Freeney and the seven-year, $49 million contract ($16 million guaranteed) the Lions gave defensive tackle Cory Redding.

 

Strahan has two years left on a seven-year, $46 million contract he signed in 2002 that included $20.9 million in guaranteed money. He said he believed he had an unwritten agreement with the Giants to revisit the deal prior to this season, though Reese made it clear to him in March that was something they weren't willing to do.

 

The Giants' stance is not likely to change, even if Strahan - who is attempting to come back from a serious mid-foot sprain - skips several days or weeks of camp. A source close to him said a holdout has never been his plan, though another source familiar with the situation added, "Who knows with him?"

 

WELCOME: OL Adam Koets (sixth round) and RB Ahmad Bradshaw (seventh) agreed to terms on deals, and S Michael Johnson (seventh) is close enough that Reese is sure he'll be in camp on time.

Daily News Specials

[jerseygiantfan]

GM: Tom has my support

 

BY RALPH VACCHIANO

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

 

Thursday, July 26th 2007, 9:55 AM

 

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* Read Ralph Vacchiano's The Blue Screen blog

 

 

The Giants didn't give Tom Coughlin a huge vote of confidence when they gave him a one-year contract extension in January. That only increased speculation that he was facing a "must-win year."

 

And he is, according to new Giants GM Jerry Reese - just like everybody else in the league.

 

"It's a must-win for everybody, not only for Tom," Reese said. "They don't give you a long grace period in the NFL. I don't care who you are. Marty Schottenheimer was (14-2 in San Diego) last year and that didn't work out for him. So it's not like Tom is the only one you can say 'It's a must-win season for him.' It's a must-win season for 32 coaches in the NFL."

 

That was neither a pledge of support nor an indictment of the embattled coach who will open training camp at the University at Albany with a speech at a barbecue on campus this afternoon. It was more of an acknowledgment that this is a critical season for Coughlin despite his back-to-back playoff years.

 

In the meantime, Reese is playing the role of Coughlin's biggest supporter. He wasn't the GM who hired him, but Reese is quick to insist that doesn't mean Coughlin isn't his guy.

 

"No matter what the naysayers say, Tom and I have a really good relationship," Reese said. "Tom's not worried. I've heard the comments that he's 'on a short leash.' But Tom knows I'm supporting him 100%. In our offseason efforts we worked together real nicely. Tom's not worrying about what people are saying who don't know what's happening behind our closed doors here at Giants Stadium."

 

The key to Coughlin's future lies in what happens on the field, especially after an offseason in which the Giants did not appear to improve. They had more subtractions than additions that left them with huge questions at running back (Brandon Jacobs), left tackle (David Diehl) and linebacker (Mathias Kiwanuka). They also don't know about the health of two key veterans - defensive end Michael Strahan and receiver Amani Toomer.

 

Those are a lot of questions for a coach facing an uncertain future. But when the players report tomorrow and begin practice on Saturday, Reese is convinced everyone will like what they see.

 

"We feel like we have talented players on this team," Reese said. "If people want to write us off before the season starts, that's good for us. For some reason some people are just naturally negative about things. We're positive about where we are."

 

BELL TOLLS: Safety Jason Bell was placed on season-ending injured reserve due to a back injury he suffered during the offseason program.

[jerseygiantfan]

Eli has new QB coach seeing star

 

BY RALPH VACCHIANO

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

 

Friday, July 27th 2007, 4:00 AM

 

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* Read Ralph Vacchiano's The Blue Screen blog

 

 

ALBANY - Chris Palmer has now had six months to study Eli Manning up close since being hired as the Giants' quarterbacks coach. They've spent 13 hours in the film room together and another two weeks or so working on the field.

 

That's been enough, Palmer said, to convince him that Manning is still filled with potential. In fact, he's convinced that Manning is not only going to be a star in the NFL, but will lead the Giants to the Super Bowl someday.

 

"I think what I see from Eli is an excellent quarterback who'll be very, very good in this league," Palmer said yesterday at the Giants' training camp-opening barbecue, "and one who'll lead his team to the promised land."

 

Helping Manning to do that won't be an easy job for the 57-year-old Palmer, who replaced Kevin Gilbride when he was promoted to offensive coordinator in January. The 26-year-old Manning, who will report to the University at Albany with the rest of his teammates this morning, is getting ready to begin his fourth NFL season and third full year as a starter in a career that so far has been plagued by inconsistency.

 

That's why he and Palmer spent those hours in the film room, breaking down all of last season's games. Then they took to the field, where Palmer tinkered with Manning's footwork and mechanics. There were struggles - in fact, Manning got off to an awful start in the Giants' lone minicamp in June - but there was also the big tease of some very impressive throws.

 

"He made some throws that maybe two or three guys can make in this league," Palmer said. "I'm not saying every throw, but you sit there and say to yourself, 'Hey, that's a big-time throw.'"

 

The trick, of course, is to get Manning to make them more often. Last season he completed only 57.7% of his passes and threw 18 interceptions to go with his 24 touchdowns. He couldn't miss during the first four weeks, when he completed 67.1% of his passes (98-for-146). Then he completed only 54% (203-of-376) the rest of the way.

 

Manning's up-and-down nature has frustrated everyone, including many members of the Giants organization. Manning's development (or lack thereof) was a huge topic when Giants ownership was discussing whether Tom Coughlin could keep his job. But Palmer thinks Manning is coming along just fine in an increasingly impatient world.

 

"Everybody wants to compare Eli and Peyton, and everyone forgets Peyton had a 6-10 year in his development (in 2001, his fourth NFL season)," Palmer said. "Five years later he's in the Super Bowl.

 

"I think (Eli) is on the right path," Palmer added. "Several years ago Phil Simms said, 'If I was in this environment right now, I might have been on my third or fourth team.' It just made sense to me. I know what he went through. So I think Eli is on pace. I think Eli is ready for a big year."

 

ALL IN: CB Aaron Ross, the Giants' first-round pick out of Texas, agreed to terms on a five-year, $13.5 million contract yesterday with $8 million guaranteed. All eight of the Giants' draft picks have agreed to terms and are expected to report to camp on time this morning.... Coughlin said he expects that DE Michael Strahan will report this morning, too. Strahan (foot), WR Amani Toomer (knee) and DEJustin Tuck (foot) will be limited to one practice per day. DE Osi Umenyiora (hip) and WR Plaxico Burress (knee) might be limited, too.

Daily News Specials

[jerseygiantfan]

Giants' no-show Strahan mulling retirement

Associated Press, Updated 15 minutes ago

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ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan failed to report to the New York Giants training camp on Friday, and he is mulling retirement, his agent told the team.

 

"He is not here," Giants general manager Jerry Reese said after Strahan failed to report with veterans and rookies to the University at Albany. "Last night I talked to his agent (Tony Agnone) and his agent said to me at seven o'clock last night that he is contemplating retirement. That's all I know right now."

 

Neither Reese nor coach Tom Coughlin has been able to contact Strahan, although the 35-year-old who holds the NFL single-season record for sacks (22 1/2) left a message for Coughlin around 11:30 p.m. on Thursday night.

 

Coughlin did not see the message until Friday morning. He left a telephone message for Strahan, but it was not immediately returned.

 

"Obviously I am disappointed that he is not here," said Coughlin, who said that Strahan left no message other than to call him. "He is a very important part of our team as we have talked all along. We are just going to have to wait for more information.

 

Angone did not immediately return a telephone message left at his office by The Associated Press.

 

Strahan, whose 132 1/2 sacks are tops among active players, was not immediately available for comment.

 

The Giants placed Strahan on their reserve-did not report to camp list, Reese said, adding that Agnone did not say why Strahan was considering retirement.

 

Neither Coughlin nor Reese would say whether Strahan would be fined for missing camp until they spoke with him.

 

Coughlin hoped the incident would not distract the team with its first practices scheduled for Saturday.

 

"We've had enough of those," Coughlin said of distractions which plagued the Giants during an 8-8 campaign in 2006. "At least we've dealt with it. Put it that way."

 

There have been recent reports that Strahan, who was scheduled to make $4 million this season, was going to hold out because he felt he was being underpaid.

 

However, many felt that Strahan was looking for more money after losing a bitter divorce this past summer to his former wife, Jean. She was awarded $15.3 million along with child support for their twin daughters at $18,000 a month.

 

Agnone did not talk about renegotiating Strahan's contract with Reese, who added that Strahan might be tired after 14 seasons.

 

"I thought it was a little bit of a late notice but that's the way the National Football League works some times," Reese said. "I just told him (Agnone) that if he's ready to retire we wish him God's speed. Tony said he might wake up in the morning and say 'I want to play."'

 

Strahan, who missed half of last season with a foot injury, took part in the Giants offseason training program and minicamp.

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Despite his second major injury in three years, Strahan believed then that he was the NFL's best defensive end.

 

"I can still pop on the film and show you I am still the best at what I do," Strahan said in June. "I mean that's my opinion."

 

If Strahan does retire, the Giants may consider moving second-year pro Mathias Kiwanuka back to defensive end. He played well there last year as a rookie but the Giants moved the first-round draft choice to strongside linebacker in April in an attempt to get him more playing time.

 

Reese said the team will have to move on if Strahan walks away.

 

"I think he is a Hall of Fame football player, so obviously it's a big void," Reese said. "But we don't know anything yet. When we talk to him and get more information you'll know."

[jerseygiantfan]

Strahan's a no-show

 

Doesn't report to training camp on time, might retire

 

BY RALPH VACCHIANO

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

 

Saturday, July 28th 2007, 4:00 AM

 

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ALBANY - Michael Strahan did not report to Giants training camp yesterday, and he might never report at all.

 

The future Hall of Fame defensive end is seriously considering retiring from the NFL, according to a source familiar with his thinking, and pursuing what he believes will be a lucrative television career. His agent, Tony Agnone, informed Giants GM Jerry Reese of that possibility Thursday night, just hours before Strahan's holdout began.

 

Strahan, according to a source, will take at least the weekend and possibly longer to make a final decision. Asked how long the Giants are willing to wait before moving on without him, Reese said, "We're not going to wait long.

 

"I thought it was a little bit of a late notice, but that's the way the National Football League works sometimes," Reese said after the rest of the Giants took part in the annual training camp conditioning test. "I told (Agnone), 'If he's ready to retire, we wish him Godspeed.'"

 

Of course, as Agnone told Reese, "(Strahan) might wake up in the morning and say, 'I want to play.'" Anything is possible with the hard-to-predict Strahan, who as recently as one month ago indicated retirement wasn't on his mind.

 

"As long as I feel I can contribute and they want me around, it's hard to quit, because you love the competition and the camaraderie," Strahan said at the June minicamp. "I'm trying to keep going as long as I enjoy that."

 

Given those sentiments, it's hard to ignore the possibility that this is all a negotiating ploy. Strahan approached the Giants in March about redoing a contract that will pay him $4 million in each of the next two seasons - the final two of the seven-year, $46 million contract he signed in 2002 - but the Giants turned him down.

 

Reese said the two sides haven't discussed money since then, and a team source said the Giants still have no interest in giving Strahan a raise. However, a source close to Strahan insisted this has less to do with money and more to do with the state of the team. Strahan, 35, isn't happy with the Giants' lack of offseason moves and is worried that his final years in the league could be with a losing team.

 

In the meantime, the source said, Strahan, a 14-year veteran who is still recovering from a badly sprained right foot, is being lured by at least two networks with multimillion dollar offers. It's not clear which networks are pursuing him, and with about six weeks until the season opener, most of the networks' NFL rosters are set.

 

Strahan, who was placed on the reserve/did not report list, was on his way back from the West Coast yesterday and couldn't be reached, and Agnone declined to comment. Strahan did leave a message for Tom Coughlin late Thursday night, and Coughlin tried to call him yesterday morning, but they had not connected by the time camp officially began.

 

"Obviously I'm disappointed that he's not here," Coughlin said. "He's a very important part of our team. We're just going to have to wait for more information."

 

Strahan, who set an NFL single-season record with 22-1/2sacks in 2001, could face fines of up to $14,000 per day while holding out, although when asked about that, Reese said, "We'll talk about that when we get more details." More importantly, his absence leaves a huge hole in the Giants' defensive end corps that has already been depleted by Osi Umenyiora's recovery from a hip injury, Justin Tuck's recovery from a foot sprain and Mathias Kiwanuka's move to linebacker.

 

Kiwanuka likely would move back to defensive end if Strahan officially retires. Reese also didn't rule out pursuing defensive end Simeon Rice, who was cut by Tampa Bay on Thursday. Rice, however, failed his physical because of an injured shoulder and isn't expected to be ready to play for another month.

 

"It's hard to replace guys who are going to be in the Hall of Fame," Reese said. "So obviously it's a big void for us."

[jerseygiantfan]

Toomer taking return from injury in stride

 

Sunday, July 29th 2007, 4:00 AM

 

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ALBANY - Amani Toomer stunned his coach on Friday afternoon with how well he did in the Giants' conditioning test. Then he surprised everyone again yesterday morning with a good performance in his first practice in nearly nine months.

 

"I felt a little bit rusty," Toomer said. "But no pain, no swelling. I feel pretty good. I didn't really push it as much as I could have."

 

Toomer, who tore his ACL last November, will be limited to one practice per day at training camp for the foreseeable future, but he put on quite a show in his one appearance. The veteran receiver caught several passes, including a nice grab on the sideline where he stopped short, turned, snatched the ball and turned upfield.

 

"Ol' 81, I haven't seen him in a while," fellow wideout Plaxico Burress said. "It's good to have him back. He's one of the guys that kind of keeps everybody upbeat. It's just good to see him out there running around."

 

"This was my target date to get back and I hit my target," Toomer said. "I think I moved around real well, but I definitely was a bit rusty. I need some more practice to get back to practice speed."

 

DEMPS DROPS: Gibril Wilson has moved from strong safety to free safety, and James Butler has taken over as the first-team strong safety. That leaves free safety Will Demps on the second team.

 

"As a competitor, being a starter my whole career, of course it can tick you off," Demps said. "But I'll just compete. I'm a team player. I'll do whatever they want. My track record speaks for itself, so I'm not going to sit here crying."

 

Demps said he's finally healthy after spending most of last year recovering from a torn ACL. "My body feels good," he said. "I'm 100% healthy. This is the guy they should've gotten last year."

 

READ MY SHIRT: The Giants players and staff were all given T-shirts that read "Talk is cheap. Play the game" on the back. ... Burress (ankle), DE Justin Tuck (foot) and CB Corey Webster (hip) each practiced only once.

[jerseygiantfan]

Teammates: Strahan's not the retiring type

 

Sunday, July 29th 2007, 4:00 AM

 

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ALBANY - Just in case Michael Strahan is serious about retirement, the Giants are moving on, switching William Joseph to left defensive end and flirting with Simeon Rice.

 

But most of Strahan's teammates don't believe he's serious. They think his return to training camp is only a matter of time.

 

"My gut feeling is yes, he'll be back to play," linebacker Antonio Pierce said yesterday. "Maybe he just wants a week or two off. It's a little hot today. Maybe Mike is sitting at home sipping piña coladas thinking, 'OK, I'll give it another week and then I'll be back.'"

 

"I wouldn't be surprised if you see him tomorrow," added defensive end Justin Tuck. "We're still approaching this camp and this season as though Michael will be our left end."

 

 

 

Ralph Vacchiano

[jerseygiantfan]

Rice on menu for Giants

 

Sources: Ex-Buc to meet with Big Blue tomorrow

 

By RALPH VACCHIANO

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

 

Sunday, July 29th 2007, 4:00 AM

 

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Simeon Rice

 

Simeon Rice could soon be with the Giants.

 

* Read Ralph Vacchiano's The Blue Screen blog

 

 

ALBANY - Simeon Rice always insisted he's a better player than Michael Strahan. Very soon, the Giants might find out for sure.

 

Rice, the 33-year-old defensive end who has had a running feud with Strahan for the last nine years, is scheduled to come in and visit the Giants tomorrow, according to two NFL sources. With the 35-year-old Strahan holding out of training camp and threatening to retire, the Giants are exploring their options and want to see if Rice is healthy enough to take Strahan's place.

 

Rice became available Thursday when he was cut by Tampa Bay. The Bucs said he failed a physical due to a shoulder injury that limited him to eight games last season. But Rice claimed he was waived when he refused to take a pay cut from the $7.25 million he was due this year.

 

The Giants likely will give him a physical tomorrow, but even if he passes it, Rice told reporters in Tampa that he needs at least three more weeks to rehabilitate his shoulder. However, if the Giants are satisfied with Rice's progress, they do plan to discuss a contract with him, according to a source.

 

When that will be is still something of a mystery. As of last night, Strahan and Tom Coughlin had exchanged several messages, but had yet to speak to each other. And GM Jerry Reese hadn't had any conversations with Strahan's camp since he spoke with the DE's agent, Tony Agnone, Thursday night.

 

Strahan, according to sources close to him, is home in California pondering his options. He has set no timetable to make his final decision.

 

However, the Giants' flirtation with Rice could push him over the edge. According to one source, Strahan is likely to be livid when he hears of Rice's visit. Not only has the seven-time Pro Bowler had a long-running war of words with Rice, but he also knows Rice will be expensive. And considering Strahan was rebuffed in his efforts to get a raise on his $4 million salary, he's not likely to be happy to see big money possibly going to someone else.

 

The fact that it's Rice will make it worse. The public sniping between the two of them dates back to 1998, when Rice was still an Arizona Cardinal. As recently as last August, Rice said, "Year in and year out, Michael Strahan is a great player. But he's still not me."

 

Strahan's response: "If you don't want to pay attention to what the defense is counting on you to do, if you just want to run up the field and get sacks, then you can be a Simeon Rice. You can have big numbers but you don't have the respect of defensive ends.

 

"He seems to be a little bit jealous of something," Strahan added. "I don't know what it is."

 

Perhaps it's the fact that Rice, a 6-5, 268-pounder, is second among active players with 121sacks. Strahan, of course, is first with 132-1/2, but that fact seemingly had no effect on Rice's ego. When he was cut by the Bucs, Rice said, "I'm the best that ever did it and they never gave me my props."

 

This actually is the second time the Giants have flirted with Rice. In 2001 they tried to lure him to become Strahan's teammate with a contract worth approximately $5 million per year. But he was looking for an annual salary closer to $7 million, so the Giants instead settled on Kenny Holmes.

 

That season, Rice began a string of five straight years with at least 10 sacks, totaling 67-1/2 over that span. The streak ended last year, his 11th NFL season, when he played in only eight games and registered only two sacks.

 

Rice also has drawn interest from the Tennessee Titans, who reportedly are trying to set up a visit as well.

[jerseygiantfan]

New York Giants: Who will be the No. 1 running back?

 

Brandon Jacobs is the frontrunner to be the Giants' primary runner, but he has to prove he can be an effective featured running back in receiving 20-plus carries per game and withstand injuries in the NFL. Remaining healthy in training camp and preseason will help dispel some of those doubts.

 

Jacobs will also need to outproduce trade acquisition Reuben Droughns in camp to solidify his hold on the No. 1 spot. Droughns has already compiled two 1,000-yard seasons with two different teams, rushing for 1,240 yards with Denver in 2004 and 1,232 yards with Cleveland in 2005. Not only did he start 31 of 32 games for both '04 and '05 seasons, but he also was a very effective runner, averaging 4.5 yards with Denver and 4.0 yards with Cleveland.

 

The Giants may elect to split carries with both Jacobs and Droughns. While unlikely, New York's coaches may even award the starting job to Droughns, leaving Jacobs in the same role as a short-yardage back like last season if he falters or becomes injured in camp.

[jerseygiantfan]

Strahan hit by Giant fines

 

BY RALPH VACCHIANO

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

 

Tuesday, July 31st 2007, 4:00 AM

 

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ALBANY - Michael Strahan's holdout already has cost him $57,152 in fines and will run him another $14,288 for every day he doesn't report.

 

But that won't make a difference, according to his agent, because money has nothing to do with why the seven-time Pro Bowler is staying home.

 

"I've never asked them for money," agent Tony Agnone told the Daily News yesterday. "We haven't talked money since March, when we discussed extending Michael's contract. That has not been the issue here in this situation."

 

Agnone was responding to a story in yesterday's Daily News that included some tough talk from Giants GM Jerry Reese and information from team sources that the organization believes Strahan is holding out because he wants a raise. Agnone vigorously disputed that notion, and insisted Strahan is torn about whether he wants to continue his 14-year career.

 

A source close to Strahan said his return to the Giants is "50-50" at best - a sentiment echoed by defensive end Osi Umenyiora, who spoke with Strahan twice over the weekend. Agnone said the 35-year-old defensive end has no set timetable.

 

"Michael is a Hall of Fame player," Agnone said. "Michael is going to decide when he'll decide to hang them up or not."

 

Regardless, the Giants have made it clear they will not wait. Simeon Rice is due in New York today and will take a physical for the Giants tomorrow, and the team is also searching for possible trades.

 

Reese, in yesterday's Daily News, said the Giants have been preparing for Strahan's possible retirement for two years, drafting defensive end Justin Tuck in the third round in 2005 and Mathias Kiwanuka in the first round last year. He said the team is "very serious" about moving on and "we can't sit on our hands waiting to see if the guy is ready to return.

 

"Do we want him here? Sure," Reese added. "But if he wants to retire, we'll wish him the best. We can win without him."

 

Meanwhile, the Giants informed Agnone yesterday that Strahan will be fined the league maximum, retroactively to Friday when his holdout began. If he sits out until the Giants break camp on Aug. 23, his bill will total $400,064 - or slightly more than 10% of the $4 million salary he's due to make this year.

 

Regardless, Agnone said the action will not scare Strahan.

 

"The fines are all part of the business," Agnone said. "We understand that part of it, but that's not going to make him decide any quicker. He's going to take his time to try to figure this out."

[jerseygiantfan]

Osi won't move for Rice

 

BY RALPH VACCHIANO

 

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

 

Tuesday, July 31st 2007, 4:00 AM

 

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ALBANY - Osi Umenyiora believes the Giants are serious about pursuing free agent Simeon Rice. He just thinks it's a really bad idea.

 

Not only does Umenyiora, the Giants' right defensive end, believe Rice isn't good enough to fill Strahan's shoes on the left side, but he also says he will refuse to switch sides if the Giants want Rice on the right.

 

"So we have a little bit of a situation here if they decide to bring him in," Umenyiora said yesterday. "That's the truth.

 

"What position is he going to play over here? Left defensive end? He's not a run player. Everybody knows he's not a run defensive player and that's where they run the football at. The only other option would be to move me over (to the left) and I'm not moving over there."

 

It's not clear exactly what the Giants' plans for Rice would be if they decide to sign the 33-year-old ex-Buccaneer. But according to a team source, the Giants are prepared to discuss a contract with him if his injured left shoulder proves OK when the Giants give him a physical tomorrow.

 

Umenyiora, who shares the same agent with Strahan, said he would rather see the Giants fill Strahan's void from within - even if it means moving Mathias Kiwanuka back from linebacker - before Rice gets a shot.

 

It could be difficult for the Giants to pass on a healthy Rice, who is more than capable of picking up the pass-rushing slack in Strahan's absence. His 121 career sacks are second only to Strahan's 132-1/2on the active list. But most of that damage was done from the right side, which will make him a tough fit if Umenyiora - who had 27-1/2 sacks from right end in the last three seasons, including six in 11 games last year - really does refuse to move.

 

"I'm a right end," Umenyiora said. "I've been successful at right end. I don't feel the need to move. That's kind of crazy. If you're asking me to move, that's ridiculous. I'm not going to move to left defensive end if they sign Simeon Rice. If the team asks me to move because 'we need you at that position,' I will. But I'm not going to move because Simeon Rice is coming in. I won't do it."

 

Something may have to give, because after speaking twice with Strahan over the weekend, Umenyiora said Strahan is "100% serious" about retirement.

 

"He's not joking," Umenyiora added. "It's going to take him awhile to really make that decision, but he's contemplating it."

 

In the meantime, the Giants will move forward and at least look at Rice, despite Umenyiora's warning.

 

"I am not moving to the left side," he said. "Absolutely not. It's not even a question."

[jerseygiantfan]

Reese: Who needs ya, Mike?

 

GM tells News Giants 'can win without' no-show Strahan

 

BY RALPH VACCHIANO

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

 

Monday, July 30th 2007, 4:00 AM

 

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ALBANY - The Giants are getting ready to call Michael Strahan's bluff.

 

With many in the organization convinced that Strahan's training camp holdout is all about money, not a desire to retire, the Giants are making plans to begin this season without him. And if the 35-year-old defensive end thinks the Giants' flirtation with Simeon Rice is a bluff, he may be in for a rude awakening, according to Giants GM Jerry Reese.

 

"We're very serious (about moving on)," Reese told the Daily News during yesterday's afternoon practice. "We can't sit on our hands waiting to see if the guy is ready to return.

 

"Do we want him here? Sure. But if he wants to retire, we'll wish him the best. We can win without him."

 

Reese said the Giants don't yet know for sure whether Strahan is serious about retirement because he still hasn't spoken to anyone in the organization. Strahan and Coughlin played another round of phone tag yesterday, but several team sources said the fact that Strahan keeps leaving messages during practices and meetings led them to believe he doesn't want to talk to Coughlin at all.

 

Reese didn't go that far, but he did say, "Hopefully this phone tag stuff will stop and we can talk to him and see what he wants to do. It's strange that we can't get in touch with him at all."

 

With Strahan, who is due to make $4million this season, an unknown, the organization has begun discussions about what to do next. Rice, the recently released Buccaneer, is scheduled to meet with team officials and will take a physical in Manhattan on Wednesday. And despite what is likely a hefty price tag, a source said that if Rice's left shoulder checks out okay, the team is ready to offer him a contract before he leaves.

 

The Giants also have been looking for teams that have extra defensive ends and may pursue a trade. And if neither of those options work, they have discussed moving Mathias Kiwanuka back to defensive end after just a few months at linebacker. Ideally, that's a move they'd rather make now if they had to, but Reese believes the former first-round pick could make the switch later, too.

 

"Kiwanuka is a smart kid," Reese said. "He's had a year at defensive end. He could easily move back there. For now, we're keeping him at linebacker because we think we'll be okay at defensive end."

 

He meant they'll be okay without Strahan, the 14-year vet who is tied for the Giants' all-time sack lead with 132-1/2.

 

"We knew Michael was going to retire at some point," Reese said. "We drafted a couple of defensive ends the last couple of years (Kiwanuka in '06, Justin Tuck in the third round in '05) with that in mind. So we're not panicking by any means. We have players who want to be here, who want to play, who want to win a championship. We're focused on that."

 

As for Strahan, he could soon be fined up to $14,000 for every day of his holdout. "He's missing camp," Reese said. "There are repercussions for that."

 

His teammates, though, don't think things will get that far. Most of them seem to believe he'll return in a couple of weeks. But if that's true, things could get sticky. Reese wouldn't say what might happen if they replaced Strahan and then Strahan decided to return. But he made it clear the Giants are ready to move on.

 

"We're getting things lined up for all of our options, whether he comes back or not," Reese said. "We don't have a timetable in our heads, but we could make up our mind tomorrow and say, 'This is enough. We're moving on.' Who knows? Time is ticking."

 

ONE-A-DAYS: DE Osi Umenyiora (hip) sat out the afternoon practice. ... WR Plaxico Burress (ankle), WR Amani Toomer (knee), CB Corey Webster (hip) and DTJustin Tuck (foot), continued to practice just once per day. ... CB Kevin Dockery (head) may miss a few days, according to Coughlin.

[jerseygiantfan]

Giants Strahan could land with Redskins?

 

Redskins management did instruct scouts and coaches to compile offseason reports on defensive end Michael Strahan over the winter, however. Strahan is threatening to retire and is locked in a contract impasse with the New York Giants. Owner Daniel Snyder likes Strahan after watching him battle his team in the NFC East, team sources have said, and should Strahan become available, the Redskins could become a suitor. The Giants would likely be reluctant to trade him within the division, and several teams are monitoring his situation closely. -- Washington Post

[jerseygiantfan]

Strahan article and Video included

[jerseygiantfan]

New York media serves as battleground for Strahan-Giants feud

 

ESPN.com news services

 

Updated: August 1, 2007, 6:01 PM ET

 

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What's the Hold Up with Strahan?

 

ALBANY, N.Y. -- The Michael Strahan saga continued to play out in the New York newspapers on Wednesday, with Strahan's camp firing the latest salvos.

 

A day after Giants coach Tom Coughlin and general manager Jerry Reese confirmed they had talked with Strahan on Monday, and Reese said he told Strahan that the Giants are moving forward as if he is not coming, Strahan's confidants spoke out.

 

"How could he not feel betrayed?" the New York Daily News quoted a "source who spoke with Strahan" on Tuesday. "After spending 14 years, after being a loyal and dedicated player to an organization, and now that he is considering retirement, the most difficult decision in his career, instead of giving him space to make this decision, people are talking about fines and replacements?

 

"I am really sad that this situation is being portrayed the way it is. This is not about money."

 

After spending 14 years, after being a loyal and dedicated player to an organization, and now that he is considering retirement, the most difficult decision in his career, instead of giving him space to make this decision, people are talking about fines and replacements?

 

Strahan confidant, in New York Daily News

Strahan hasn't reported to camp. Wednesday marks the sixth day of his holdout. Strahan has a contract which would pay him $4 million this season. The Giants are reportedly continuing to fine Strahan $14,288 for each day of camp that he misses.

 

The Giants want Strahan to make a decision about his future sooner rather than later.

 

On Tuesday, a senior Giants official told ESPN's Sal Paolantonio that the team believes Strahan is bluffing about retirement. The official said the team doesn't want "Tiki, the Sequel" -- non-stop, season-long speculation that Strahan is retiring. Last year, the Tiki Barber situation destroyed the team, the official said.

 

Barber retired at the end of last season and is now an NFL analyst for NBC.

 

One possible replacement for Strahan, should he not report, is former Tampa Bay defensive end Simeon Rice, who was released by the Buccaneers for failing a physical.

 

Tuesday, the St. Petersburg Times quoted Rice as saying he'd passed a series of exams administered by Dr. James Andrews, a widely respected orthopedist.

 

"It was all 100 percent," Rice told the Times. "Dr. Andrews said, 'What kind of physical did you take down there?' I told him they just checked for my mobility in the shoulder and said I failed. He said, 'They didn't even test you for any kind of structure in the shoulder?'"

 

The Giants on Wednesday had Rice in for a physical.

 

According to ESPN's Sal Paolantonio, the free-agent defensive end underwent a a physical conducted by Giants physicians at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, then met with Giants general manager Jerry Reese and head coach Tom Coughlin at the team's training facility in Albany.

 

The Giants are now considering signing Rice to a contract.

 

Strahan is the NFL's active sacks leader with 132½.

[jerseygiantfan]

Osi hears it from Tom

Wednesday, August 1st 2007, 4:00 AM

 

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ALBANY - The theme of Giants camp was supposed to be "Shut up and play," which is essentially the message Tom Coughlin delivered to Osi Umenyiora Monday night.

 

Hours after ripping Simeon Rice and insisting he won't move from right defensive end if Rice is signed by the Giants, Umenyiora landed in Coughlin's doghouse and got a lecture from the coach. Neither party revealed details of their discussion, although GM Jerry Reese insisted, "I don't think that's a big deal at all.

 

"Players try to protect players," Reese said. "I don't think Osi meant that in any malicious way towards the New York Giants. Osi's being a good little brother trying to protect Michael Strahan, one of his mentors."

 

Coughlin told Umenyiora that even if the Giants do sign Rice, who has primarily played on the right side, Umenyiora would not have to switch to the left.

 

"That was never even a fathom," Coughlin. "There was no discussion about any of that. Osi is a rising young player, he plays right end."

[jerseygiantfan]

Quit thinking & just quit already

 

Wednesday, August 1st 2007, 4:00 AM

 

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ALBANY - Michael Strahan needs to forget about contemplating retirement and just go ahead and retire.

 

He has had a Hall of Fame career for the Giants and holds the NFL single-season record for sacks, even if Brett Favre hung an asterisk next to his name. But if he is not sure he wants to play, or not sure he wants to play for $4million, then he just shouldn't play.

 

He had six months of the offseason to make up his mind. The Giants need to move on without him. It rarely ends up pretty in sports anymore, especially the NFL, unless it's John Elway.

 

Tiki Barber, who was Tom Coughlin's No.1 critic, is gone. Strahan, who got off to a rough start with Coughlin before buying into the program, also has a strong following in the locker room. If he decides to come back, will his heart really be in it? Will he be playing with one sprained foot out the door? Coughlin and Jerry Reese each said they want Strahan back, but they are not going to beg.

 

Three years ago, Coughlin inherited a veteran group, players set in their ways, resistant to change. Barber's production will be missed on the field, and so would Strahan's, but the Giants might be more of a team, more Coughlin's team, without them.

 

Coughlin, who is coaching for his job, needs to eliminate as many distractions as he can going into the season. Barber's retirement plans overshadowed the Giants' season from mid-October on last year. It was a huge distraction to everybody but Barber. If Strahan comes back and says this is his last year, then it will turn into the Strahan retirement tour. If he comes back and says he will decide about next season after this one is done, then retirement questions will dominate the season.

 

Coughlin and Reese finally spoke to Strahan on Monday for the first time since his holdout began last week. This is a headache the coach was not anticipating. Coughlin could never understand why Barber let the retirement announcement slip out during the season. "Well, we don't want to go through that again all year with constant questions about someone's retirement," he said.

 

Antonio Pierce was recently critical of the way Barber let his future dominate the Giants' season, but says it would be different with Strahan. "I don't think Mike would hold a press conference every week about it," Pierce said.

 

Strahan did not give Coughlin or Reese any hints as to whether he was going to show up. The $14,288 daily fine probably is having little impact. Remember, he dropped $15.3 million in his divorce. He is one of the great Giants of all time and can be very engaging to speak with when he is in the mood, but this does not have the makings of a graceful exit.

 

The Giants could trade him out of the NFC East to a team possibly willing to pay him more than $4million. They can't cut him, because he would probably wind up in Washington, where Redskins owner Daniel Snyder loves collecting big names.

 

Coughlin didn't waste his breath trying to influence Strahan to play. "I told him that I would not talk him into coming back and playing," Coughlin said. "That he had to make the decision to come back with his heart in the right place."

 

And the Giants won't entice him by giving him a raise, which would amount to a lifetime achievement award considering he is nearly 36 and has missed 30% of the Giants' games, including the playoffs, over the last three seasons.

 

Reese is being tested here. Presumably, if the new GM gave in to Strahan's request in March for a salary bump, he would be in camp. Reese is not backing down now, either. "I told him, 'We will move on as if you are not coming back,'" Reese said. "I said we can't sit on our hands and he said that he respects that."

 

The dramatic rise in the salary cap has caused aggravation all over the NFL. The cap was $85.5 million in 2005. This year, it's $109 million. The contracts of great players who signed two years ago are being surpassed by average players who sign now. Strahan signed his seven-year, $46 million deal in 2002 that included $20.9 million in guarantees. It was a great contract. It has stood the test of time, even if the Colts just signed Dwight Freeney to a six-year, $72million deal with $30 million guaranteed.

 

The reality of the NFL today is Strahan is fortunate that the Giants didn't attempt to cut his salary because of his age and severe injuries in two of the last three years. They are treating him with respect. They want him to finish in their uniform.

 

Strahan, if he is healthy and wants to play, can still be a force, even if his sack total the last three years (18) equals what he had in 2003. But if the last three months of the 2006 season were all about Barber, then the entire 2007 season would be all about Strahan.

 

Do the Giants really want that? When a player isn't sure he wants to play, it's time to retire.

 

gmyers@nydailynews.com

[jerseygiantfan]

Blue won't give Strahan green

 

By RALPH VACCHIANO

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

 

Thursday, August 2nd 2007, 4:00 AM

 

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John Mara

 

Unlike Michael Strahan, co-owner John Mara shows up at Giants practice and says team won't sweeten defensive end's contract to get him to report to training camp.

Strahan's status

 

Do you think Michael Strahan will play for the Giants this season?

 

Yes

 

No

 

* Read Ralph Vacchiano's The Blue Screen

 

 

ALBANY - The Giants have already gone as far as they plan to go to convince Michael Strahan to emerge from hibernation and resume his NFL career. They will not renegotiate his contract and will not keep asking him to come back.

 

The next move is up to him.

 

"We're not going to beg him to come in," co-owner John Mara said yesterday. "I think we've expressed to him pretty clearly we want him to come in. We're a better team with him on the field. But he's got to make this decision, ultimately."

 

That's important, because there are those who believe that Strahan's six-day training camp holdout - which has so far cost him $85,728 in fines - would end if the Giants would just show him a little love. As the Daily News reported yesterday, sources close to the 35-year-old defensive end said he is considering retirement mostly because he feels "disrespected" and "betrayed" by his team.

 

Mara - who has not spoken to Strahan yet but said, "At some point I might" - added, "He hasn't expressed that to any of us, so I'm not sure that I believe that." Regardless, as the team met with free agent defensive end Simeon Rice yesterday, both co-owners went out of their way to make Strahan feel wanted and to say he's an important player for the team.

 

"Michael has been a Hall of Fame player for this organization and obviously we hope his career continues and we all feel that it should continue," co-owner Steve Tisch said in a statement. "Michael is a special player and a special person and has been an integral member of the Giants family for many years."

 

"That's been expressed to him that we want him back," Mara added. "He's been one of the greatest players in franchise history. He's a sure-fire Hall of Famer. His career should end on a different note than this. And I think ultimately it will."

 

Still, the Giants did meet with Rice here yesterday afternoon following his physical with team doctors in Manhattan. According to one team official, signing Rice is a longshot that becomes more of a possibility every day Strahan sits out. Rice was due $7.25 million this season before he was released by Tampa Bay last week after refusing to take a pay cut to $4.75 million. So he could conceivably cost as much as the $4million Strahan is due this year - a price the Giants might be willing to pay only if Strahan is truly done.

 

Getting Strahan back remains the Giants' preferred option. Mara does believe that Strahan will eventually return, even without a raise.

 

"My gut feeling is yes he will be (back)," Mara said. "But I really don't have anything to base that on."

 

Even though many members of the organization think Strahan's holdout is a transparent negotiating ploy, Mara said he believes Strahan is sincerely conflicted about his future. "I think so," Mara said. "I'm going to take him at his word. That's what he expressed to us."

 

Mara did say, "We would've liked to get a little more notice on (his holdout)," but he added that "I don't think any of us are that troubled" by the distraction it has caused in the first week of camp.

 

And if Strahan does retire at the end of what so far has been a messy situation, Mara said there won't be any lingering bad feelings - at least not from him.

 

"You know what? He's done too much for the franchise for me to be bitter about it," Mara said. "He's been a great player for a long time. These things happen."

 

LONG ABSENCE: Long snapper Ryan Kuehl will be out three-to-four weeks with a severely strained left calf. Rookies Zak DeOssie and Jay Alford will take his place. ... The concussion CB Kevin Dockery suffered on Saturday is still so bad that he cannot attend meetings or watch practice, due to headaches. Coughlin said he's "real concerned."

[jerseygiantfan]

Fox will pay if Mike plays

 

BY RALPH VACCHIANO and BOB RAISSMAN

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITERS

 

Friday, August 3rd 2007, 4:00 AM

 

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ALBANY - Michael Strahan has a signed contract to appear on Fox's NFL pregame show this season. But there's a catch - he can't retire.

 

According to TV sources, the 35-year-old Strahan, who is holding out of training camp while contemplating retirement, has agreed to do a "player diary" once a month on "Fox NFL Sunday" - similar to what Eric Byrnes has done on Fox's baseball pregame show. But if Strahan isn't playing, the deal will fall through.

 

That is the only deal Strahan currently has with Fox, according to one source.

 

Regardless, sources close to Strahan continue to insist he has multimillion-dollar TV offers waiting for him if he decides to retire. Strahan has made regular appearances on Fox's "Best Damn Sports Show Period." He also recently signed on as the host of "Backyard Stadiums" - a home improvement show on the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) network.

 

HE WON'T WAUFLE: Defensive line coach Mike Waufle became the latest member of the Giants organization to express his love for Strahan yesterday. In fact, in text messages to the 35-year-old holdout, Waufle told him he's "too young to retire."

 

"He loves the game so much," Waufle said. "You can just feel his passion when you are around him. It is his decision, obviously, but he is an emotional leader for this team. There is nobody better in my 10 years in the league on Sundays.... I love Michael Strahan. He is a Hall of Fame player, and he has been a great New York Giant. We want him to go out on a high note."

 

BOSS CALLS: Giants co-owner John Mara confirmed that he spoke with Strahan on Wednesday night, a few hours after saying, "We're not going to beg him to come in." It was not known what the two discussed. Mara declined to comment on the conversation.

 

RICE CAPADES: DE Simeon Rice passed his physical with the Giants on Wednesday, according to a team source, but was not offered a contract. A source familiar with Rice's plans said he will visit the Titans and possibly a few other teams and would like 2-3 weeks to make a decision. ... TE Jeremy Shockey missed yesterday's practices with what Tom Coughlin called "upper leg soreness."

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[jerseygiantfan]

Fox will pay if Mike plays

 

BY RALPH VACCHIANO and BOB RAISSMAN

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITERS

 

Friday, August 3rd 2007, 4:00 AM

 

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ALBANY - Michael Strahan has a signed contract to appear on Fox's NFL pregame show this season. But there's a catch - he can't retire.

 

According to TV sources, the 35-year-old Strahan, who is holding out of training camp while contemplating retirement, has agreed to do a "player diary" once a month on "Fox NFL Sunday" - similar to what Eric Byrnes has done on Fox's baseball pregame show. But if Strahan isn't playing, the deal will fall through.

 

That is the only deal Strahan currently has with Fox, according to one source.

 

Regardless, sources close to Strahan continue to insist he has multimillion-dollar TV offers waiting for him if he decides to retire. Strahan has made regular appearances on Fox's "Best Damn Sports Show Period." He also recently signed on as the host of "Backyard Stadiums" - a home improvement show on the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) network.

 

HE WON'T WAUFLE: Defensive line coach Mike Waufle became the latest member of the Giants organization to express his love for Strahan yesterday. In fact, in text messages to the 35-year-old holdout, Waufle told him he's "too young to retire."

 

"He loves the game so much," Waufle said. "You can just feel his passion when you are around him. It is his decision, obviously, but he is an emotional leader for this team. There is nobody better in my 10 years in the league on Sundays.... I love Michael Strahan. He is a Hall of Fame player, and he has been a great New York Giant. We want him to go out on a high note."

 

BOSS CALLS: Giants co-owner John Mara confirmed that he spoke with Strahan on Wednesday night, a few hours after saying, "We're not going to beg him to come in." It was not known what the two discussed. Mara declined to comment on the conversation.

 

RICE CAPADES: DE Simeon Rice passed his physical with the Giants on Wednesday, according to a team source, but was not offered a contract. A source familiar with Rice's plans said he will visit the Titans and possibly a few other teams and would like 2-3 weeks to make a decision. ... TE Jeremy Shockey missed yesterday's practices with what Tom Coughlin called "upper leg soreness."

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[jerseygiantfan]

Agent shopped Strahan

 

Calls to other teams found little interest

 

BY GARY MYERS

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

 

Friday, August 3rd 2007, 4:00 AM

 

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Michael Strahan's agent contacted several teams in the offseason to determine their interest in either trading for the Giants defensive end or signing him if he were to be released, two sources told the Daily News yesterday.

 

Agent Tony Agnone, with Strahan's blessing, placed calls, mainly in March and April, to teams they believed were in position to make a Super Bowl run, one source said. The idea was that new surroundings would rejuvenate Strahan. Certainly, Agnone felt he could also do better than the $4 million Strahan is scheduled to make this year with the Giants.

 

One source said Agnone got mixed results from the teams he contacted, and when he reported back to Strahan to let him know there was some interest, Strahan backed off, wanting to finish his career as a Giant and protect his "legacy" by playing for only one team. Strahan never demanded the Giants trade or release him.

 

The Giants had no knowledge of Agnone's conversations, a source said. The contact could be construed as a violation of the NFL's anti-tampering policy. If a club expresses interest to an agent in a player under contract to another club without that club's permission to speak, it's a violation. As part of the policy, clubs are required to inform the player's team if an agent has contacted them about a player under contract.

 

Giants GM Jerry Reese refused to comment in an e-mail response on whether he was aware Agnone was making calls and if he considered it tampering. When Agnone was asked yesterday if he contacted any teams regarding Strahan, he said, "No comment." One source said the Giants were informed there would be interest if Strahan was available.

 

Strahan, a future Hall of Famer, has not reported to training camp as he contemplates retirement.

 

The Giants told Strahan and Agnone in a March meeting that they would not bump his salary, a stance reiterated by co-owner John Mara to the media at training camp on Wednesday. They have not talked money since that meeting. Strahan was a no-show for the beginning of camp last Friday and has been fined $14,288 per day. One source maintains that money is not the issue for Strahan, but rather whether his heart is still into playing, although that has been met with skepticism.

 

"It's always about the money," one general manager said yesterday.

 

Asked about Strahan's market value in a trade, one source said, "Not very much. There is not a lot of interest in him out there. Most people think he is done. His agents were thinking he was going to get out of there."

 

Another source said Agnone was disappointed in one club's lack of interest. "I don't think they were unique," the source said.

 

The Redskins are always the wild card in the free-agent market. Owner Daniel Snyder has shown a willingness to spend for big-name players, regardless of age. But there's no way the Giants would trade Strahan to Washington.

 

Another GM believes the Giants could get a fourth- or fifth-round pick for Strahan, but that the defensive end would have a tough time finding a team willing to pay him more than $4 million.

 

One GM says there would be a limited market for Strahan. "Who gives a guy a contract at 35 with the durability history he has? The only team that is going to pay him is the Giants," he said.

 

Indeed, the Giants are willing to pay him - $4 million.