2007 NY Giants Articles and Video

[jerseygiantfan]

Spate of injuries paining Coughlin

 

Tuesday, August 28th 2007, 4:00 AM

 

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Tom Coughlin probably wishes the season would start soon - before he runs out of players.

 

David Tyree, a Pro Bowl special teamer, is out four-to-six weeks with a broken bone in his wrist, Plaxico Burress has a bad back and fullback Robert Douglas needs knee surgery.

 

Burress practiced last week for the first time since suffering an ankle injury on Aug.2. Coughlin said yesterday that Burress complained of back problems after practicing last week and yesterday was sent to Manhattan to see a doctor. He has yet to play in a preseason game. He missed Saturday's game against the Jets with the flu but now the Giants say his back is the problem.

 

"It started at the end of last week after he practiced a few days. I'm not sure what it was," Coughlin said. "What provoked it, I don't know."

 

Tyree had a strong game on special teams against the Jets and when Coughlin received the list of injured players after the game, he was not on it. Coughlin said Tyree came in the next morning with a swollen wrist. He was scheduled to undergo surgery last night. Douglas, the only fullback listed on the depth chart, will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his meniscus, Coughlin said. In practice yesterday, Reuben Droughns was moved from being Brandon Jacobs' backup to fullback. He played there earlier in his career in Denver.

 

CUT LOOSE: The Giants need to cut one player by today's 4 p.m. deadline to get down to the 75-player limit. Yesterday, TE Rodney Burgess was waived-injured (shoulder). DT Marcus Bell (knee) was placed on injured reserve. OL Myniya Smith, LB Karibi Dede, DB Richard Yancy, C Nick Jones and WR Will Buchanon were cut. Teams must get down to the regular season 53-man roster by Saturday.

 

[jerseygiantfan]

With Strahan, there's no rush

 

Won't report today and is still pondering retirement

 

BY GARY MYERS

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

 

Tuesday, August 28th 2007, 4:00 AM

 

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All that Michael Strahan's corner locker was missing yesterday was him sitting in front of it. He wasn't in the trainer's room, the lunch room, the practice field or Tom Coughlin's office.

 

The Strahan Watch, which began when he failed to report to camp on July 27, has reached one month. Despite speculation that yesterday was going to be the day he showed up, it came and went with no indication he was on his way from his home in Southern California. If his primary goal was to miss training camp - mission accomplished.

 

The defensive end will not be at Giants Stadium today, either, a source close to him said, as he continues to contemplate his football future. There are those who feel retirement still is a possibility. Coughlin had no Strahan updates yesterday.

 

Over at Strahan's locker, his shiny blue helmet was on a hook. A dozen pairs of cleats were lined up and his home jersey hung neatly on a hanger. There were plenty of shirts, a pair of shower slippers, two months' worth of mail in a bin, his shoulder pads and a ski cap. There was also an untouched program from Saturday night's game against the Jets.

 

The source insists Strahan still is contemplating retirement. If he indeed is not back today, then he doesn't figure to be here tomorrow when the Giants have a walk-through and then travel to New England for their preseason game Thursday night. That means the most logical return date would be Friday or Monday, when the serious preparation begins for the Sept.9 season opener in Dallas.

 

The Giants surely would like to know his intentions so they can work him into the game plan against the Cowboys. It's not going to be so easy for him to walk off the plane, put on the pads for the first time in a long while and sack Tony Romo. That would be dramatic, but not realistic. He probably needs to practice a couple of times.

 

"It's no distraction, no distraction at all," defensive end Osi Umenyiora insisted yesterday. "We're all pretty much focused on what we need to do. We still have another preseason game. We've got Dallas in two weeks."

 

Umenyiora last communicated with Strahan on Saturday. He was in the team hotel getting ready to head over to the stadium for the game and they sent about 10 text messages to each other. Umenyiora said he never asked Strahan if he was showing up and since Strahan didn't volunteer that he was getting on a plane, he was not surprised he was not in the locker room yesterday.

 

Umenyiora, who has been optimistic that Strahan will return, now says it's "50-50 he will show up.

 

"We don't really talk about that," he said. "He's a friend of mine. We talk about different things. Right now, when we talk, we speak about his life in general, what is going on with him. We don't talk about football."

 

In 1990, then-31-year-old Lawrence Taylor held out all summer in a contract dispute until the Wednesday before the season opener against the Eagles. LT sacked Randall Cunningham three times.

 

Strahan, on the other hand, is almost 36 and coming off a serious foot injury.

 

"He's definitely going to need that week of practice," Umenyiora said. "... There is no reinventing the wheel as far as football is concerned. He knows what he has to do. All he has to do is learn the plays and we will be okay."

 

Meanwhile, Justin Tuck has made a big impact this summer. He would lose playing time if Strahan returns, but would welcome him him back.

 

"I just want what is best for the team - 92 in a blue jersey is best for the Giants," Tuck said.

 

Strahan's locker is ready for his return - if he comes back.

 

[NeMesiS]

Spate of injuries paining Coughlin

 

Tuesday, August 28th 2007, 4:00 AM

 

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Tom Coughlin probably wishes the season would start soon - before he runs out of players.

 

 

 

 

 

[jerseygiantfan]

Strahan has constructive talks with Giants

Associated Press, Updated 17 hours ago

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan had constructive talks with the New York Giants twice in the past 24 hours, and he expects to make a decision soon on whether to retire or play.

 

General manager Jerry Reese described the talks on Monday night and Tuesday morning as "constructive and positive," the team said in an e-mail to the media Tuesday afternoon.

 

Reese said Tuesday morning's talk ended with Strahan telling him he expects to arrive at a decision about whether to continue playing within two days.

 

Tony Agnone, Strahan's agent, did not immediately return an e-mail from The Associated Press seeking comment.

 

If the 35-year-old Strahan decides to play, he will have missed the entire preseason and will only have one week to prepare for the Giants' season opener at Dallas on Sept. 9. The Giants (1-2) play their final preseason game on Thursday night in Foxborough, Mass. against the New England Patriots.

 

Strahan's holdout and possible retirement has been the overriding story since the Giants players reported to training camp at the University at Albany on July 27. His holdout hit its 33rd day on Tuesday, and he has been fined $14,288 daily.

 

His fine total is $471,504.

 

While there were initial reports that Strahan wanted to renegotiate the contract that will pay him $4 million this season, he denied in an open letter to Giants fans on Aug. 5 that money had anything to do with his decision to stay away.

 

"When an athlete like myself — who does what I do for a living — starts having doubts, then it's time to take a step back and seriously consider my future," Strahan said in the letter that was distributed via e-mail by Agnone.

 

"Anyone who plays in the NFL with doubts or second guessing is not only putting themselves at risk, but their teammates also," Strahan added. "I will never do that."

 

Strahan's 132 1/2 sacks are tops among active players, and he set an NFL single-season record with 22 1/2 sacks in 2001.

 

Many teammates have felt for weeks that Strahan will play this season.

 

Pro Bowl middle linebacker Antonio Pierce walked out of the locker room minutes before Reese announced that he had talked to Strahan and saw reporters waiting in the tunnel under Giants Stadium. Pierce also saw a luxury automobile from a car service.

 

"You guys waiting for Strahan?" Pierce quipped before he walked away laughing.

 

Whatever Strahan decides, the Giants discovered in training camp that they have two other solid defensive ends in one-time Pro Bowler Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck, who like Strahan missed part of last season with a Lisfranc foot injury.

 

[jerseygiantfan]

Strahan's status a Giant confusion

 

Is he in or out? Reports are conflicting

 

By HANK GOLA and RALPH VACCHIANO

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITERS

 

Wednesday, August 29th 2007, 4:00 AM

 

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* Read Ralph Vacchiano's The Blue Screen

 

 

The ongoing saga of Michael Strahan appears to be ending, and, as many predicted, just before the season starts.

 

Or is it?

 

That depends on whether you put more faith in a Giants release or a Strahan source.

 

The phone lines were burning up between Hermoso Beach, Calif., and East Rutherford Monday night and again yesterday morning. Later yesterday, the Giants put out word that GM Jerry Reese was told by Strahan that the decision whether to resume his career will be made "within the next day or two."

 

Reese called the two conversations "constructive and productive," and each time, it was the player who dialed the phone. But a source close to Strahan had another version. He said there was no indication from Strahan that he is a day or two from announcing his decision as the Giants said and that, "The longer this goes, the more I think he's going to retire. But you never know with him."

 

In fact, said the source, Strahan made the calls because he believed he was getting "mixed messages" from the Giants' front office about how much it wanted him back and what role he was going to play when and if he returned. The source also said Strahan is unhappy the Giants leaked details of his conversation and if he does return, some fence-mending might be required. Strahan's relationship with Reese has soured since late July, when Reese was quoted in the Daily News saying, "We can win without him."

 

Strahan's 132-1/2 sacks lead active players, but the Giants have nine sacks in three preseason games with DEs Osi Umenyiora and Jason Tuck at one apiece. Tuck, playing in Strahan's spot, was impressive against the Jets Saturday with four tackles, a sack and a pressure.

 

Strahan also wanted to hear from Reese regarding the daily $14,288 fine he is being assessed. Today is Day33, bringing the total to $471,504, which is nearly equal to the $500,000 roster bonus Strahan got during the offseason. Team sources have indicated a willingness to reduce the total but not forgive it entirely.

 

Strahan is due $4million in salary this season, $4 million next and has denied his holdout has anything to do with money. That's good because the Giants have said they are offering no financial incentive to get him to return. He was also visited early last week by co-owner Steve Tisch, who, like Strahan, lives in the L.A. area. No details of their talks were available.

 

In any case, the old sack master will have missed the entire preseason, which the Giants wind up in Foxboro against the Patriots tomorrow night. Whether Strahan can make a grand re-entrance when the Giants open the season at Dallas a week from Sunday night will be the next question - if he chooses to return. That still seems to be the scenario teammates expect.

 

PLAX LACKS: WR Plaxico Burress, who has missed every preseason game with a sore ankle, has back spasms, too. "I'm always concerned when a guy doesn't practice, that is just the way it is," Tom Coughlin said. "But beyond that, I am not prepared to say anything. He may feel better as early as tomorrow."

 

Burress, who was sidelined by back spasms last year, visited the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan on Monday.

 

WEIGH TO GO: When you weigh 345 pounds, even stepping on a scale can be grueling. That's what happened to big DL Manny Wright, who, Coughlin said, "tried to weigh in . . . was dehydrated . . . and got lightheaded" when he came out to the practice field. He had to leave practice to get more fluids....Special teams ace David Tyree, who broke his wrist against the Jets, told Coughlin he expects to be back sooner than the four-to-six week projection. ...Long snapper Ryan Kuehl (calf) was placed on IR yesterday to allow the Giants to reach the 75-man roster limit.

 

[jerseygiantfan]

 

FULL-TIME FOR DROUGHNS

GIANTS FORCED TO USE HIM AS BLOCKER

By PAUL SCHWARTZ

 

 

 

August 29, 2007 -- Everyone knows having Reuben Droughns play fullback for the Giants is not an ideal situation. What once was a fleeting notion at the moment is reality, and don't put it past his teammates from finding humor in his predicament.

 

"We heard a couple of jokes," right guard Chris Snee reported yesterday after practice. "I heard Amani (Toomer) say, 'Wait, wait, we don't have a fullback in the huddle,' and Reuben was standing right there."

 

When it comes to imagining a big, bruising fullback capable of opening holes and paving the way for big, bruising Brandon Jacobs, it's understandable why Droughns fails to impress. The Giants on March 9 traded disappointing receiver Tim Carter to the Browns in exchange for Droughns, envisioning him as a nice complement in a reserve role to Jacobs. After all, Droughns, in his previous seven years in the NFL, assembled a track record of churning out yardage in steady though certainly not eye-opening fashion.

 

The 1-2 punch of Jacobs and Droughns may still be on the horizon, but in a vastly different formula. The Giants were trying to decide if rookie Robert Douglas could handle the full-time fullback job, with no one else on the roster fitting that job description other than another rookie, Michael Matthews, who really is a blocking tight end. Douglas at 250 pounds looked the part, although the jury was still very much out on his ability to be anything more than a stalemate lead blocker and a decent receiver.

 

Evaluating Douglas became a moot point when he sustained cartilage damage in his knee during last Saturday's preseason game against the Jets. The Giants will not know the full extent of the injury until after Douglas undergoes arthroscopic surgery, but it's unlikely he will be on the active roster this season.

 

There's certainly a chance the Giants will find a living, breathing fullback on the waiver wire and bring him in for a look. For now, Droughns gets the assignment, starting with the past few days of practice and continuing tomorrow night in the preseason finale at New England.

 

"He looked better today because he did a better job of coming through the line of scrimmage," Tom Coughlin said of Droughns. "He knows what his assignment is, but can he maneuver his way through?"

 

Droughns yesterday left the locker room before commenting on the move. During training camp, he expressed no displeasure at backing up Jacobs even though Droughns, 29, has 844 NFL rushing attempts compared with Jacobs' 134.

 

"This whole team has one common goal, which is to make it to the top," Droughns said. "So we're willing to do whatever it takes to help each other out."

 

Droughns previously played fullback in 2003 with the Broncos when he blocked for Clinton Portis, Quentin Griffin and Mike Anderson. After that, Droughns got a chance to carry the ball on a full-time basis and produced consecutive seasons of more than 1,200 yards for Denver in 2004 and the Browns in 2005.

 

"He knows what he's doing, he knows the offense well enough where it will be an easy transition," Eli Manning said. "He knows all the blocking schemes and protection-wise, he catches the ball well out of the backfield, and he can do some good stuff in the open. It's time where you got to make some adjustments and it's good for him to step up and try to help the team."

 

Droughns is listed at 5-11 and 220 pounds, quite light for a fullback, especially one asked to clear out the congestion for Jacobs, a 264-pound running back. Coughlin did not agree with that assessment, saying Droughns yesterday weighed in at 231 pounds.

[jerseygiantfan]

Ailing Giants wait for Michael Strahan

 

By RALPH VACCHIANO

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

 

Thursday, August 30th 2007, 4:00 AM

 

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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The Giants expect Michael Strahan to ride back into town like the cavalry, just in the nick of time for the opener.

 

But by the time he gets here, will there be anyone left to save?

 

Not the way the Giants have been falling apart this summer. Heading into tonight's preseason finale against the Patriots they have seven players on season-ending injured reserve (not including those who were waived with an injury settlement), six more players declared out of tonight's game and another six who are questionable.

 

Those lists include a starting receiver (Plaxico Burress, back, day to day), linebacker (Kawika Mitchell, groin, day to day), cornerback (Sam Madison, hamstring, out) and fullback (Robert Douglas, knee, out). It includes the player who would have been their starting fullback (Jim Finn, shoulder, IR) and their second tight end (Darcy Johnson, knee, IR), as well as special teams ace David Tyree (wrist, out) and long-snapper Ryan Kuehl (calf, IR).

 

"Unfortunately it's just part of the game that we play," said Mitchell, who said he should be fine in time for the opener in Dallas on Sept. 9. "It just happens like that sometimes. We've been touched by it a little too much so far, but a lot of them aren't season-ending injuries. Some are, but hopefully we can get a lot of people back."

 

Of the Giants' projected starters, only Madison is in danger of missing the opener, although Burress' status won't be clear until he's back on the practice field.

 

One guy they'd love to see play a few snaps is Strahan, who was in California yesterday, deciding whether to retire or continue his career.

 

On Tuesday morning, according to the Giants, Strahan told Giants GM Jerry Reese he planned to make his decision "within the next day or two," which makes today Decision Day. A source close to Strahan insisted he may not follow that promised timetable. One indication that he's not close to returning is that he has reportedly canceled a scheduled appearance to be on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" tomorrow night. The show is taped in New York.

 

COMICAL: Eli Manning, speaking at yesterday's Kickoff Luncheon at the Grand Hyatt, began with a tweak of his newest critic, Tiki Barber. "Since this is my first time speaking at the Kickoff Luncheon," he said, "I'm going to try my best not to be awkward or comical." Barber was invited, but not in attendance because he was on assignment for the "Today Show."

 

[jerseygiantfan]

Season Preview: New York Giants

Sports Xchange, Updated 13 hours ago

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Back on July 27, when the New York Giants opened the doors to training camp on the collegiate campus of the University of Albany in upstate New York, there were several questions, concerns and doubts.

 

No one expected seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan would suddenly decide not to report, and through Aug. 29 he still hadn't, incurring the wrath of the comptroller to the tune of $14,288 a day in fines. As the season draws ever closer, he has started to show some signs of making a decision (retire or return) but so far Stayaway Stray has, well, stayed away.

 

Some of the more major questions have dissipated. Others have been answered, if only temporarily. And a few others have lingered, clearly waiting for the season to start and the games to count before a rational spin can be put on them.

 

There is no experienced left offensive tackle on the team. Rather, when new general manager Jerry Reese abruptly released veteran Luke Petitgout, starting left guard David Diehl was arbitrarily moved out.

 

He had played tackle before — right tackle — and it hadn't been overly pretty. But suddenly the five-year veteran, 6-foot-5 and 320-pounds, was the focal point of the most visible spot on the o-line.

 

He has struggled. Lately, he has had better practices and his performance Aug. 25 against the New York Jets was his best yet. But he hasn't answered the bell when things count, and until he does he represents a situation that can go haywire any time.

 

The Grand Experiment of moving last year's first round draft pick, Mathias Kiwanuka, from defensive end to strong-side linebacker continues. His instinct is to move forward at the snap of the ball, which is something he cannot do as a linebacker. But he's learning. "I think he has as much natural ability as any young linebacker I have ever seen," says defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who coached that position for the Eagles for the last three seasons. "He is going to be a major contributor in this league."

 

But from the looks of things, "going to be" remains the operative phrase.

 

Other questions revolve around quarterback Eli Manning (will he really step up this year and become the team leader instead of just its highest-paid player?), running back Brandon Jacobs (is he really going to use his 6-foot-4, 264-pound battering ram body to make the fans forget about Tiki Barber?) and the identity of the starting cornerbacks (Sam Madison, Corey Webster, rookie Aaron Ross and R.W. McQuarters, among others, are the candidates).

 

 

 

The Giants are on nobody's list of division favorites and championship contenders. In truth, that's just what they need, no additional pressure. This is the season for head coach Tom Coughlin to save his job, and the less aggravation he has surrounding his team the better his chances.

 

COACHING: Tom Coughlin, 12th year, fourth with Giants (overall 93-83; with Giants, 25-23).

 

REMEMBERING: 2006 record: 8-8 (3rd in NFC East); lost in wild-card game to Philadelphia Eagles, 23-20.

 

PREDICTING: 2007 regular season record: 9-7 (3rd in NFC East); earn a wild-card spot.

 

 

 

[jerseygiantfan]

Season Preview: New York Giants

Sports Xchange, Updated 13 hours ago

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Back on July 27, when the New York Giants opened the doors to training camp on the collegiate campus of the University of Albany in upstate New York, there were several questions, concerns and doubts.

 

No one expected seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan would suddenly decide not to report, and through Aug. 29 he still hadn't, incurring the wrath of the comptroller to the tune of $14,288 a day in fines. As the season draws ever closer, he has started to show some signs of making a decision (retire or return) but so far Stayaway Stray has, well, stayed away.

 

Some of the more major questions have dissipated. Others have been answered, if only temporarily. And a few others have lingered, clearly waiting for the season to start and the games to count before a rational spin can be put on them.

 

There is no experienced left offensive tackle on the team. Rather, when new general manager Jerry Reese abruptly released veteran Luke Petitgout, starting left guard David Diehl was arbitrarily moved out.

 

He had played tackle before — right tackle — and it hadn't been overly pretty. But suddenly the five-year veteran, 6-foot-5 and 320-pounds, was the focal point of the most visible spot on the o-line.

 

He has struggled. Lately, he has had better practices and his performance Aug. 25 against the New York Jets was his best yet. But he hasn't answered the bell when things count, and until he does he represents a situation that can go haywire any time.

 

The Grand Experiment of moving last year's first round draft pick, Mathias Kiwanuka, from defensive end to strong-side linebacker continues. His instinct is to move forward at the snap of the ball, which is something he cannot do as a linebacker. But he's learning. "I think he has as much natural ability as any young linebacker I have ever seen," says defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who coached that position for the Eagles for the last three seasons. "He is going to be a major contributor in this league."

 

But from the looks of things, "going to be" remains the operative phrase.

 

Other questions revolve around quarterback Eli Manning (will he really step up this year and become the team leader instead of just its highest-paid player?), running back Brandon Jacobs (is he really going to use his 6-foot-4, 264-pound battering ram body to make the fans forget about Tiki Barber?) and the identity of the starting cornerbacks (Sam Madison, Corey Webster, rookie Aaron Ross and R.W. McQuarters, among others, are the candidates).

 

 

 

 

[jerseygiantfan]

Notes, quotes: New York Giants

Sports Xchange, Updated 13 hours ago

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Prior to the final preseason game against New England, WR Anthony Mix (6-5, 235) had 13 receptions for 98 yards and two touchdown. As opposed to his lethargic performance last year as a rookie (he spent the season on the practice squad) he noted: "Training camp wasn't going anywhere, but if I didn't tighten up, I probably would be."

 

# WR David Tyree, whose real value to the team is as a Pro Bowl special teams performer, suffered a broken wrist Aug. 25 vs. the N.Y. Jets and will be sidelined for four to six weeks. "I'll fool them (the doctors) and be back sooner," Tyree said. "You just watch."

 

# QB Eli Manning has shown more poise and consistency than he has in his previous three training camps, leading quarterback coach Chris Palmer to say, however guardedly: "Eli is going to be just fine. He has all the tools."

 

# All during training camp, head coach Tom Coughlin prepared T-shirts for the players that read: "Talk is Cheap; Play the Game." ... He has since replaced those with this: "Mental Toughness." A simple two-word reminder of how to play this game?

 

BY THE NUMBERS: $512,208 — The amount of fine money being charged to DE Michael Strahan, based on $14,288 per diem, for his summer-long holdout through Aug. 29.

 

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Well, I'm glad to see that his transition into the broadcasting business is going so smoothly." — Giants QB Eli Manning, jabbing back at retired RB Tiki Barber, who accused him of not being an effective leader.

 

Strategy and personnel

 

It isn't usually a major issue until something goes wrong, but the Giants are challenging the fates by placing long snapper Ryan Kuehl, one of the NFL's most reliable, on the season-ending Injured Reserve list. Moreover, they are going to entrust the job to a pair of rookies — third round pick DT Jay Alford and fourth round pick MLB Zak DeOssie, one for long snaps (punts), one for short snaps (field goals).

 

Kuehl suffered a torn calf muscle early in training camp and could not make the return trip to the active roster. It will be the second time in his five-year career with the Giants that the 10-year veteran will miss a season.

 

Also, there has been a rash of injuries during camp, including SS Will Demps (dislocated elbow), WLB Gerris Wilkinson (dislocated kneecap), WR David Tyree (broken wrist), CB Sam Madison (hamstring), CB E.J. Underwood (fractured jaw) and WR Michael Jennings (ruptured Achilles), among others with less serious ailments.

 

PLAYER TO WATCH: WR Anthony Mix — Here is an undrafted free agent rookie (2006) who spent the full season on the Giants' practice squad and was deemed as questionable for his lack of fire. In fact, when injuries rocked the position near the end of last season, Mix was overlooked while others (journeymen all) were brought in. This summer, however, the 6-5, 235-pounder suddenly realized what he had to do and has been the sensation of camp, both in practices and preseason games. He'll make the roster and might spell the injury-plagued Plaxico Burress as the starter at split end. His size makes him perfect for the red zone "fade" patterns.

 

Draft picks to stick

Rd. 1/20: CB Aaron Ross, Texas — He has shown remarkable poise and savvy for a rookie and is being fast-tracked to start at LCB. He can also return punts and kickoffs and should be a healthy addition to the defense/special teams.

 

Rd. 2/51: WR Steve Smith, USC — Smith has had a spectacular training camp, making any number of circus catches, and the best praise comes from head coach Tom Coughlin, who said: "He has a knack of catching any ball that can be caught, which is an admirable trait." Smith will make it, probably as the backup in the slot to veteran Amani Toomer.

 

 

Rd. 3/81: DT Jay Alford, Penn State — Solid, strong, plugs the middle from either tackle spot. He is projected as a backup to Barry Cofield, a second-year player, and will also share in long snapping duties.

 

Rd. 4/116: MLB/ILB Zak DeOssie, Brown — Shows great understanding of the position. Has size, quickness and lateral movement. Also handles long snaps and should rotate there with fellow rookie Alford.

 

Rd. 5/153: TE Kevin Boss, Western Oregon — Tons of potential built into great size (6-5, 260). Has enough speed to run the deep seam patterns down the middle. Needs work on his playbook and position understanding, but should make the final 53-man roster.

 

Rd. 7/250: RB-KR Ahmad Bradshaw, Marshall — Seems to be the Giants' steal of the draft. Has great speed and squirm-ability, much like the retired Tiki Barber. Will provide a chance of pace and style when inserted since all the other backs in this deep positional area are bigger and more akin to power backs.

[jerseygiantfan]

Unit-by-unit analysis: New York Giants

Sports Xchange, Updated 13 hours ago

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QUARTERBACK: Starter — Eli Manning. Backups — Jared Lorenzen, Anthony Wright.

 

Manning is the savior, finally ready (he says) to emerge as one of the NFL's premier quarterbacks. He'd better be ready. He cost the Giants an inordinate amount of Pro Bowl performers (QB Philip Rivers, LB Shawne Merriman, K Nate Kaeding) on Draft Day 2004. He has been moderately successful in his first three years, the last two-and-a-half as the starter. Now he needs to step it up and maintain a higher level of consistency. If he does, the trade looks good; if he doesn't, then the son of Archie and brother of Peyton will be remembered as another Giant failure. Lorenzen, 6-3 and 285, the so-called "Hefty Lefty," clearly won the backup job while Wright and Tim Hasselbeck were so ordinary there was some thought at final cut-down that both might be released.

 

RUNNING BACKS: Starter — Brandon Jacobs. Backups — Reuben Droughns, Ryan Grant, Derrick Ward, Ahmad Bradshaw.

 

Jacobs is the key here. He's 6-4 and 265, powerful yet in possession of 4.47 speed. He will have to replace Pro Bowl superstar Tiki Barber, now a talking head for the NBC Network. Jacobs runs with power and then with speed, can take the end-around as well as plow through tackle. If he stays healthy, he could approach 1,500 yards and 10 TDs. If not, then the backfield will be in disarray. Droughns is a veteran obtained via trade with Cleveland and he might have to move to FB since there was only one going into camp, Robert Douglas, who has already undergone an arthroscopic knee procedure. Grant and Ward appear to be capable backups with power; Bradshaw is the Tiki-like rookie (seventh round) who has elusive speed to go with a compact 5-9, 198-pound frame.

 

TIGHT END/H-BACK: Starter — Jeremy Shockey. Backups — Kevin Boss, Michael Matthews.

 

Shockey has been to the Pro Bowl and might return, now that he is in better shape (6-5, 250) and still possesses 4.5 speed in the 40. He has sound hands, runs his patterns well and much will depend on whether he has to be kept in to assist the new LT, David Diehl, in blocking. He won't like that, but he'll have no choice if the move of last year's LG starter doesn't pan out well. Boss was the fifth-round pick with great size (6-7, 255) and Matthews is a big blocking free agent rookie via Georgia Tech.

 

WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters — Amani Toomer, Plaxico Burress. Backups — Steve Smith, Sinorice Moss, Anthony Mix, David Tyree.

 

Toomer is coming back from serious knee surgery that cost him the last half of the 2006 season. But he seems to have made it all the way back and should celebrate his 12th season as the slot starter. The split end is Burress, tall and rangy (6-5, 226) with great speed and hands but a propensity for minor, nagging injuries. This summer he had a sprained ankle, sore knee and stiff back. He should be ready for the regular season, however. Smith and Moss are going to be lightning-quick backups, each a second round draft pick in the last two years. Mix is tall, rangy and talented and might be perfect for the red zone "fade" patterns Manning loves to throw to Burress. Tyree, a special teams ace, suffered a broken wrist vs. the Jets on Aug. 25 and might miss four to six weeks.

 

OFFENSIVE LINE: Starters — LT David Diehl, LG Rich Seubert, C Shaun O'Hara, RG Chris Snee, RT Kareem McKenzie. Backups — G Zack Piller, G-C Grey Ruegamer, T Guy Whimper, T Jon Dunn.

 

The question here is whether Diehl can make the transition from LG. If he can, then this is a solid O-line, perhaps one of the best in the NFC. Snee and O'Hara were Pro Bowl backups; McKenzie is a veteran known for run-blocking; Seubert is perhaps the toughest of the unit coming back from serious leg surgery to repair a spiral compound fracture three years ago. If Diehl can't do it as the replacement for veteran Luke Petitgout, the entire unit will suffer from the domino effect of his failure. So far, it's a toss-up. Whimper has some talent but hasn't demonstrated it yet; Piller and Ruegamer are veteran journeymen; Dunn is gigantic (6-7, 325) but raw.

 

DEFENSIVE LINE: Starters — LDE Michael Strahan, RDE Osi Umenyiora, LDT/NT Fred Robbins, RDT/NT Barry Cofield. Backups, DE Justin Tuck, DT Jay Alford, DT-DE William Joseph, DE Adrian Awasom.

 

Strahan was a holdout the entire training camp period and shortly before the final preseason game Aug. 30 indicated he would announce his "return or retire" decision in 48 hours. Chances are he'll return. He is tied currently with former Hall of Fame LB Lawrence Taylor for the team's all-time sack lead, 132.5. It is a safe assumption that he would like the record for himself. Umenyiora is the quickest DE in the league, next to Indianapolis' Dwight Freeney, and has come into his own the past two years. He'll be a star again. Robbins had a career season last year and should be equally effective now. Cofield, a fourth-round draft pick in 2006, started every game; he's somewhat bigger now (6-4, 310) and has some quickness for penetration from the middle. Tuck replaced Strahan all summer and in the preseason games and showed enough talent to be a starter. Alford, a rookie, is solid and good vs. the run. Joseph, a former first round pick, has been a disappointment but looked somewhat better at DE. Awasom is merely a roster-filler.

 

LINEBACKER: Starters — WLB Kawika Mitchell, MLB Antonio Mitchell, SLB Mathias Kiwanuka. Backups — SLB-WLB Reggie Torbor, MLB Zak DeOssie, MLB Chase Blackburn, WLB Gerris Wilkinson, MLB James Davis.

 

Mitchell, signed from Kansas City during the UFA period, has looked strong, played well and is currently sidelined with a minor groin strain, but he'll start the season in all likelihood. Pierce is a near-Pro Bowl quality performer in the middle, as well as a "teacher" to the younger LBs. He's solid and dependable and plays from one sideline to the other. Kiwanuka, last year's No. 1 pick as a DE, has made the difficult transition to SLB reasonably smoothly. He needs to improve, but that seems likely now that he made the big plunge. Torbor is solid as a backup but has failed when he had to start. DeOssie, a fourth round pick and son of former Giant LB Steve DeOssie, shows enough to be considered a future starter. He also is a long-snapper. Blackburn is desperately seeking a starting job in the middle but as long as Pierce is here he won't get it. He has that ability, however. Wilkinson is highly regarded but was felled with a dislocated kneecap in camp and might be on the shelf for a while. Davis is a dark horse to make the team; he has three years of experience (Detroit) and is a tough special teams performer.

 

DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters — LCB R.W. McQuarters, RCB Corey Webster, SS James Butler, FS Gibril Wilson. Backups — LCB Aaron Ross, RCB Sam Madison, SS Will Demps, CB J.R. Reed, CB Kevin Dockery.

 

McQuarters is a starter in waiting — waiting for Ross to win the job, which should happen early in the season. Webster, too, is holding a tenuous grip on his job pending the strained hamstring suffered by Madison, the veteran who, despite slowing down a step, still plays with skill. Butler was given the starting job early in camp, a domino move that sent Demps to the bench and moved Wilson from SS to FS. So far it has worked out, and now Demps has a dislocated elbow which could prove problematic. Reed, a late-summer pickup on waivers, shows skills and sure-handedness. He could stick. Dockery goes in and out of the coaches' doghouse; he's currently out of it and playing well.

 

 

 

SPECIAL TEAMS: PK Lawrence Tynes (or Josh Huston), P Jeff Feagles (or Cory Ohnesorge), LS, Zak DeOssie (Jay Alford), KOR Sinorice Moss (or Derrick Ward), PR R.W. McQuarters, Moss.

 

Tynes is the veteran, Huston a free agent rookie (backup kicker to the Jets' Mike Nugent at Ohio State three years ago). Neither looked especially effective in camp and there could be a change here. Feagles, a 21-year veteran, is being pushed by the FA Ohnesorge but will probably win the job for another season. DeOssie and Alford will combine to replace veteran Ryan Kuehl, on the Injured Reserve list with a torn calf muscle. Moss and Ward will alternate as KOR choices until one wins the job. Similarly, Moss and McQuarters are still competing for the PR job with Moss will almost certainly win.

[jerseygiantfan]

 

California neighbors say Strahan is back on East coast

 

Friday, August 31st 2007, 4:00 AM

 

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LOS ANGELES - Michael Strahan hasn't been spotted around his California beach community since the weekend, and locals believe he's already back east preparing to hit the gridiron.

 

The Giants defensive end failed to report to training camp on July 27 and has done little to quash rumors he's contemplating retirement with two years left on his $46million contract, or speculation that he's holding out for more money.

 

That's just politics, say locals who've seen Strahan working out like a fiend in recent weeks and generally in high spirits.

 

"He'll play," said a confident Troll Subin, president of the Yard Training Center, the Hermosa Beach gym where Strahan has been putting in long hours pumping iron.

 

"When the games that count start up, he'll be ready," Subin said. "He's been readying himself, just not out in the open."

 

Indeed, neighbors reported seeing Strahan, 35, riding his bike on Sunday, running hard on the sandy beach 10 days ago and working out regularly at Yard.

 

"If he was still here (in Hermosa Beach), I'd have seen him. He's a regular here," said a manager at Surfside Smoothie, a juice bar two blocks north of Strahan's multi-million-dollar beach townhouse.

 

Strahan suffered a sprained right foot that kept him out of seven games last season, and he has some hefty bills to pay now that a divorce court judge ordered him to shell out $15.3 million to his ex-wife and $18,000 a month in child support for the couple's twin daughters.

[jerseygiantfan]

Manning, starters have short stint in loss to Patriots

 

 

* Read Ralph Vacchiano's The Blue Screen

 

 

FOXBORO - The final tune-up for Eli Manning and the Giants was a short one against the New England Patriots last night. Considering the Patriots didn't play a single starter, it was an easy one, too.

 

Most importantly, though, it was a good one, especially for a quarterback and an offense that have slowly been getting on a roll.

 

Manning completed 5 of his 8 passes for 58 yards and directed a game-opening, 16-play, 80-yard touchdown drive. That allowed him to leave with a 7-0 lead in a game the Giants eventually lost, 27-20.

 

"That's what you want in your final preseason game," Manning said. "You want to come out and have one good drive, score a touchdown and come out."

 

It took a little longer than they hoped (8:13), even though the Patriots were making their usual mockery of the preseason finale by playing all second- and third-teamers. But the Giants did score that touchdown when Brandon Jacobs (8 carries, 21 yards) rumbled into the end zone on 4th-and-goal from the 1 after he was stopped on his first two tries.

 

"Obviously the goal-line series was a little shaky," Jacobs said. "It shouldn't have taken us that many snaps to get the ball in. We have to be better than that."

 

Jacobs finished the preseason with 102 yards on 29 carries (3.5 yards per rush). Manning went 35-for-51 (68.6%) for 345 yards, with three touchdowns, no interceptions and a gaudy quarterback rating of 107.1 - not bad considering he was breaking in a new left tackle and his No. 1 receiver, Plaxico Burress, didn't play a single preseason game.

 

"As an offense, I feel like we've all been on the same page," Manning said. "We've been playing well and making plays. We haven't been making many mental mistakes. The whole offense, everybody, just has a better understanding of what's going on. I feel more comfortable and we're all doing things the right way."

 

ALL OUT: Burress (back), LB Kawika Mitchell (groin), LB Reggie Torbor (calf), OL Grey Ruegamer (ankle), DE Adrian Awasom (hip), S Will Demps (elbow), RB Robert Douglas (knee), CB Sam Madison (hamstring), WR David Tyree (wrist), CB E.J. Underwood (jaw) and LB Gerris Wilkinson (knee) did not play last night. ... LT Guy Whimper left in the fourth quarter with an injured right ankle. ... Still no sign of DE Michael Strahan, who remains on the Giants' "reserve/did not report" list. The Giants can keep him on that list even after they trim their roster to 53players by 4 p.m. tomorrow, and he would not count against the 53.

 

[jerseygiantfan]

Strahan decides to return to Giants

Associated Press, Updated 18 hours ago

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Seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan has decided to end his holdout and return for a 15th NFL season with the New York Giants.

 

"He went with his heart instead of his head," Tony Agnone, his agent, said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press on Friday evening. "He felt at this point he was part of the team, and he was going to go to battle with them."

 

The decision came a day before the Giants had to cut their roster to the 53-man limit and a little more than a week before the season opener at Dallas.

 

"He knows he'll be ready to go," Agnone said of playing in the season opener. "He's been working out like crazy."

 

Strahan left the West Coast on Friday and planned to be at Giants Stadium on Monday when the team begins preparing for the Cowboys. He will have four practices before the game.

 

And Strahan might play more than the 2007 season.

 

"This does not mean at the end of the year that he is going to retire," Agnone said. "He is going to sit down again in March like he always does, and he said: 'I won't be doing this next year."'

 

Agnone said Strahan informed Giants general manager Jerry Reese of his decision to play around 5 p.m. EDT. Agnone would not say when Strahan made up his mind, but he added the NFL's single-season sack leader did not want to keep the team hanging.

 

The 35-year-old Strahan missed 36 days of training camp and amassed a $514,368 fine.

 

Agnone said the Giants agreed to reduce the fine total, but Strahan still will pay a "significant amount of money."

 

Giants spokesman Pat Hanlon said the team had no comment, and Reese did not return an e-mail seeking comment.

 

The announcement of Strahan's decision came just hours after a frustrated coach Tom Coughlin said he was taking the approach that Strahan would not play this season.

 

Coughlin seemed upset that Strahan still was mulling whether he would play more than five weeks after training camp opened. He also was annoyed that Strahan's absence made it tough to make final roster decisions and to pick a practice squad.

 

 

 

Third-year man Justin Tuck has started at left end in the preseason, and he has played well.

 

Strahan, who is to make $4 million this season, had mulled retirement while considering a career in television, insisting the decision had nothing to do with money.

 

In a letter to Giants fans last month, Strahan said the holdout had nothing to do with his recent divorce, in which a judge awarded his former wife $15.3 million. Strahan has paid half that amount, and an appellate court granted him a temporary stay while it considers whether the award was too much.

 

 

[jerseygiantfan]

Will Demps will likely be released by Giants

 

Sunday, September 2nd 2007, 4:00 AM

 

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Just a year and a half after Will Demps signed a five-year, $12 million contract, his tenure with the Giants is likely over.

 

Demps, who has a dislocated right elbow, was placed on injured reserve yesterday as the Giants trimmed their roster down to 52 - one below the league limit of 53. However, the Giants were negotiating an injury settlement with him and he is expected to be released soon.

 

Demps, 27, was the Giants' starting free safety last year, but had an awful season and lost his job to James Butler. Tom Coughlin, in a statement released by the team, said: "We thought the improvement of those two young kids in the secondary (rookies Michael Johnson and Craig Dahl) had warranted that they have the opportunity to stay."

 

Demps was the biggest name among the moves the Giants made, but not the only significant one. Kicker Josh Huston was among the 21 cuts, which means veteran Lawrence Tynes has won the job - unless the Giants find another kicker on the waiver wire before the season opener next Sunday night in Dallas.

 

The Giants also cut veteran quarterback Tim Hasselbeck, leaving Jared Lorenzen and Anthony Wright as Eli Manning's backups. And they traded running back Ryan Grant to Green Bay for an undisclosed draft pick.

 

The other 19 players cut were: DT Jonas Seawright, TE Charles Davis, WR Brandon London, WR Kevin McMahan, OL Justin Jones, OL Jon Dunn, OL Ryan Keenan, OL Matt Lentz, OL Todd Londot (waived/injured, neck), DE Tommy Davis, DE Marquis Gunn, DT Tui Alailefaleula, LB James Davis, LB Tyson Smith, CB Gerrick McPhearson, CB Darren Barnett, CB E.J. Underwood, S J.R. Reed and P Cory Ohnesorge.

 

The one remaining roster spot will likely go to Michael Strahan, who will be activated from the reserve/did not report list if he reports, as promised, tomorrow.

 

Ralph Vacchiano

[jerseygiantfan]

Michael Strahan shows Big Blue true colors

 

Sunday, September 2nd 2007, 4:00 AM

 

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Michael Strahan should not be honored with a hero's welcome when he walks back into the locker room tomorrow at Giants Stadium, showing up one week after another tedious training camp is over with the real fun starting Sunday night in Dallas.

 

While Strahan apparently was contemplating retirement in Southern California, his teammates were stuck in Albany. Not a bad deal for him. He cares enough that he probably stayed in great shape during the 10 weeks since he last did anything football-related back in June at minicamp, but boycotting and abandoning the team until the last minute, when he had a valid contract, is selfish and transparent.

 

It will be interesting to see if his late arrival causes resentment among his teammates, who have learned to live without him even as they insisted they wanted him back. Skipping camp could make him more susceptible to getting hurt early in the season. That's what happened to Lawrence Taylor in 1990 when his contract holdout lasted until the Wednesday before the opener.

 

The Giants refused to give Strahan any more money this year - he has already received a $500,000 roster bonus and his base salary is $4 million - and he will surely have to pay some of the more than $500,000 he accumulated in fines. He's fortunate the Giants didn't ask him to take a pay cut before he upset them by no-showing at camp without warning.

 

"The guy has become a real pain," one general manager said. "I don't know if he wants to play. He's always hurt, he missed all of training camp. If his head is not into it, they need to move on."

 

The Giants have been planning for Strahan's retirement for years by drafting Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka.

 

All summer, Giants GM Jerry Reese and coach Tom Coughlin refused to beg Strahan to come back. It seemed they simply wanted an answer and were content either way.

 

Are the Giants a better team with Strahan? In the last three years, they are 22-11 in the regular season and 0-1 in the playoffs with him and 3-12 in the regular season and 0-1 in the playoffs without him.

 

But he's going to be 36 in November and he's coming off a major foot injury. He's had serious injuries in two of the last three years, costing him 15 regular-season games and one playoff game. Tuck's emergence this summer allows Coughlin to pace Strahan and perhaps limit him to pass-rush situations, where he could still be very effective.

 

Coughlin was surely going to take it easy on Strahan if he showed up for camp. His status and recent injuries earned him that right. It didn't earn him the right to turn his back on his teammates.

[jerseygiantfan]

Bill Parcells wanted to be Giants' general manager, book says

BY RALPH VACCHIANO

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

 

Sunday, September 2nd 2007, 9:20 AM

 

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In an excerpt from 'The GM: The Inside Story of a Dream Job and the Nightmares That Go With It,' Ernie Accorsi reveals that Bill Parcells was interested in being the Giants' general manager.

 

In an excerpt from 'The GM: The Inside Story of a Dream Job and the Nightmares That Go With It,' Ernie Accorsi reveals that Bill Parcells was interested in being the Giants' general manager.

Jerry Reese (second from l.) was the one who got the job.

 

Jerry Reese (second from l.) was the one who got the job.

Parcells was angling for the job for this season while he was still coaching the Dallas Cowboys.

 

Parcells was angling for the job for this season while he was still coaching the Dallas Cowboys.

 

 

Hours before a big Giants-Cowboys showdown last December, then-Cowboys coach Bill Parcells sat in a car outside Giants Stadium and made it clear to the Giants that he was interested in their soon-to-be-vacated general manager's job.

 

That's one of many surprising revelations in "The GM: The Inside Story of a Dream Job and the Nightmares That Go With It," by Tom Callahan (Crown Publishing) - a story about the 2006 Giants told with the help of retiring GM Ernie Accorsi. A copy of the book, due to be released on Sept.18, was obtained by the Daily News.

 

According to the book, six hours before the Giants and Cowboys battled on Dec. 3 for first place in the NFC East, Parcells "sat with a former Giants colleague in a car in the parking lot....What Bill supposedly said became the lead item on the front office grapevine: 'I'm available to be the Giants' GM if they get stuck. Keep me alive with John Mara, will you?'"

 

In January, when news broke of Parcells' supposed interest in the Giants' GM position, both Parcells and the Giants denied it. "There's absolutely nothing to it," Parcells told the Daily News back in January. "There has been no contact, either directly or through an intermediary. Whoever said it is a liar."

 

According to the book, the reaction in the Giants' front office to Parcells' denial was "hilarity."

 

That's not the only shocking story involving Parcells in this new book; there is also the story of how the Giants would have hired him to be their coach again in 1997, if only their late GM, George Young, had a cell phone. According to the book, when Dan Reeves was fired after the '96 season, a Parcells return was discussed so seriously that Young - who disliked Parcells and favored Jim Fassel - told Accorsi, then assistant GM, he was prepared to retire on the spot if the Giants brought Parcells back.

 

"Joel Goldberg, who was the (team) psychologist, talked (the late co-owner) Bob Tisch out of Parcells," Accorsi is quoted as saying in the book. So Tisch and Wellington Mara settled on Fassel, and Young was sent to a nearby hotel to offer him the job.

 

"But he isn't even gone two minutes when Bob Tisch calls to say he has changed his mind," Accorsi says. "So John (Mara) quickly calls our switchboard up front. 'Did George Young leave the building yet?' 'Yes, he just ran out.' They phone the hotel as quickly as they can trying to cut him off. But they can't find him.

 

"Eventually they call Fassel's room, asking for George, and he comes on the line. 'Have you offered the job to Fassel yet?' George says 'Yes, I have.' 'Has he accepted it?' 'Yes.' 'Okay.' The Maras being the Maras, once the offer had been extended on their behalf, they weren't about to take it back."

 

Among the other revelations in the soon-to-be-released book:

 

* Before the 2002 draft, a team psychologist told Accorsi "You can't draft (Jeremy) Shockey." Undeterred, Accorsi flew to Ada, Okla., met with Shockey, looked into his background, and convinced the Giants to draft him anyway.

 

* In the second round of the 2004 draft, before the Giants drafted guard Chris Snee, who had fathered a child with Tom Coughlin's daughter, Coughlin called his wife and got her approval.

 

* Coughlin's job interview in late 2003 got off to a rocky start when he made a 25-minute opening statement. "It annoyed me, turned me off," Accorsi says. "'When is this misery going to end?' I thought. I was just about ready to scream 'Enough already!' when he finally stopped."

 

* Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis was the Giants' top choice to replace Coughlin, who was going to be fired if the Giants lost to Washington in the season finale and missed the playoffs. Louisville's Bobby Petrino was the second choice.

 

* Despite publicly maintaining that he drafted quarterback Philip Rivers fourth overall in 2004 for the Giants and that he would've been content keeping Rivers if the big Eli Manning deal had fallen through, Accorsi says "I never considered (Rivers) for three seconds."

 

* Tiki Barber broke his right thumb in the Giants' loss to Chicago on Nov. 12 of last year. He told the media it was only sprained and played with it the rest of the season.

 

* Accorsi, who had many issues with Coughlin's coaching strategies, was furious when the coach fired defensive coordinator Tim Lewis after the season without telling Accorsi first. Accorsi, who was in favor of the firing, told Coughlin his failure to inform the GM was "a classless act."

 

* Accorsi was furious with several of Coughlin's decisions during the Giants' season-turning, 38-20 loss to the Bears last year. According to the book, he was livid when Coughlin sent Jay Feely out to try a 51-yard field goal with 11:49 left in a 24-20 game. "Now we have all our fat guys on the field," Accorsi said. "Watch (Devin) Hester run it all the way back for a touchdown." Of course, Hester returned the missed field goal 108 yards for a touchdown.

 

Accorsi was also furious with Coughlin's decision to call a timeout late in the first half that gave the Bears time to close the gap from 13-3 to 13-10 before the half. When the timeout was called, Accorsi, standing in the stadium tunnel, screamed "No, no, no, no! Don't be too smart!"

 

* The Dallas Cowboys' game-winning field goal drive in a 23-20 win over the Giants on Dec. 3 was set up by a poor kickoff by Feely. Before the kickoff, Feely didn't like the ball he was given so he asked the men in charge of the balls - two long-time Giants employees - for a different one. They refused. "I couldn't believe it," Feely says. Accorsi fired them the next day.

[jerseygiantfan]

NEW YORK GIANTS

 

Biggest name: Tim Hasselbeck. Well, the quarterback's wife is Elisabeth Hasselbeck of The View fame.

 

Biggest surprise: The Giants could have avoided sending a conditional draft pick to Kansas City by releasing kicker Lawrence Tynes, an off-season acquisition who had a so-so preseason. Instead, the Giants kept Tynes and released a player (Josh Huston) who had a better field-goal percentage and showed a stronger leg on kickoffs.

 

One preseason observation: The Giants should be thrilled that defensive end Michael Strahan decided to return after considering retirement. A shaky Giants secondary, which will probably play more press coverage under new coordinator Steve Spagnulo than in 2006, should benefit from the quarterback pressure provided by Strahan, fellow end Osi Umenyiora and outside linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka. Had Strahan not returned, New York may have been forced to return Kiwanuka to the end position he played as a rookie in 2006.

[jerseygiantfan]

Strahan reports to camp, ready to practice

Associated Press, Updated 18 hours ago

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - Seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan reported to the New York Giants on Monday, six days before the season opener.

 

Ending a holdout that may cost him more than $500,000 in fines, Strahan arrived unobserved at Giants Stadium around 4 p.m., handled some paperwork and met with general manager Jerry Reese and coach Tom Coughlin. He also took a physical and left after 45 minutes, not making himself available for comment.

 

The 35-year-old Strahan, who held out for more than five weeks and missed all four preseason games while deciding whether to play a 15th season or retire, will practice on Tuesday.

 

"It's all behind us," Reese said, sitting in his car beneath Giants Stadium. "We're moving forward and getting ready for Dallas."

 

The Giants have been granted a two-game exemption for Strahan, so he will not count on the 53-man roster. He can be activated any time during that period. The NFL's active sacks leader would be paid his $4 million salary during that period.

 

"Obviously, we are glad that Michael is back, that he wants to be back and that he wants to continue his playing career," Reese said. "As I have stated several times since the beginning of training camp, Michael Strahan is a Hall of Fame player and we are a stronger team with him."

 

The Giants fined Strahan $14,288 for each day of his holdout. The fine total was over $500,000 on Friday when his agent announced that he would be rejoining the team.

 

Tony Agnone also said the team and Strahan reached an agreement to reduce the fine. He would not disclose how much.

 

Teammates think Strahan will be ready for the opener.

 

"Considering he's put in seven or eight years more than anyone here, and he's been to more training camps than anyone here, he's fine," veteran receiver Amani Toomer said.

 

Fellow defensive end Osi Umenyiora said Strahan just has to get used to wearing a helmet and shoulder pads again. He isn't worried about Strahan playing in defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's new system, noting he got a taste of it in minicamp.

 

Strahan's future has been the biggest question for the Giants since the team opened training camp in late July. Less than a day before players were to report, Agnone told the club his client would be holding out while he decided whether to play.

 

The NFL's single-season sacks record holder (22 1/2) missed all of training camp and all four preseason games. Agnone said Friday that Strahan may play more than this season. He is under contract for this year and next.

 

Television crews and reporters waited at the players' entrance for his arrival on Monday, only to be chased by team officials and security guards.

 

Inside the stadium, teammates lifted weights and attended a meeting on player benefits before leaving around noon.

 

Most said they weren't surprised Strahan missed the meeting, although Umenyiora was amused by all the questions about No. 92.

 

"He's some kind of rock star?" Umenyiora said. "This is crazy."

 

If Strahan practices Tuesday, he will have four workouts to get ready for the Cowboys.

 

Cornerback R.W. McQuarters wants Strahan in the lineup on Sunday.

 

"Any time Stray is out there you have to double-team him," McQuarters said. "Let's not kid ourselves. If we can get a guy out there who can take up two, hey, that works for us.

 

"You want to talk about his condition?" McQuarters added. "You play football for 15 years, you don't lose your conditioning and the common sense of the game. Stray will get to the quarterback and contain the run."

 

Third-year pro Justin Tuck filled in for Strahan in the preseason and played very well.

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Strahan's holdout didn't seem to bother teammates, who sweated through two-a-day practices at the University at Albany.

 

"I think he'll be better this season because he is not as burnt or used up," said receiver Plaxico Burress, who missed almost as much time as Strahan with nagging injuries. "He may not be in football shape, but he has played long enough. He knows what to do to get ready."

 

Quarterback Eli Manning said the holdout was not a distraction for a team that dealt with Tiki Barber's retirement almost all of last season.

 

"We haven't talked about it," Manning said. "We're not complaining about it. It's one of those deals. He made a decision and you live with it, and that's it."

 

 

[jerseygiantfan]

Article on new stadium.. pictures included

[jerseygiantfan]

Tiki/Coughlin article 2 videos included

[jerseygiantfan]

Games to Watch:

 

 

Giants at Cowboys: Tiki Barber is gone. Tom Coughlin is still in New York. Bill Parcells is gone. Terrell Owens is still in Dallas. It all seems backward. Yet things aren't always what they seem.

 

Barber the television announcer slammed Eli Manning's leadership ability during a preseason telecast. Maybe Tiki, the paragon of class and competitiveness, is really just a smooth-talking opportunist. Eli fired back, earning praise from Big Apple fans. Maybe the wide-eyed Southern boy has some fire in his belly. Players complained that Parcells had them acting like robots and that his schemes were vanilla. Maybe the grizzled general was really just a tired old man. Coughlin and Owens have been cool customers all season. Maybe ... nah, they're both still nuttier than cheese logs.

 

So while appearances can often deceive, don't be afraid to believe your eyes. The Giants really are a team reeling from retirements and defections, with a quarterback who makes critical mistakes and a coach who alienates his veterans. The Cowboys really are a mix of big names and big question marks coached by an old softie (Wade Philips) who will soon feel Owens' cleats on his lumbar region. These teams may be glamorous, but come December, it will be the Eagles and Redskins duking it out for the NFC East.

 

Take the Boys at home this week; wait for the Giants to prove they are a fixer-upper's nightmare before you risk money on them. Giants fans, take heart: Lloyd Carr will be available in 2008.

[jerseygiantfan]

Barber stands by earlier comments

Associated Press, Updated 12 hours ago

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NEW YORK (AP) - Tiki Barber isn't about to take back negative comments he made recently about his former team, though he did clarify one of his remarks about head coach Tom Coughlin.

 

In an interview with Matt Lauer on the "Today" show Thursday to promote his new book, Barber said although Coughlin was not the sole reason he retired from football this year after 10 seasons with the New York Giants, the often irascible coach was a contributing factor.

 

"People are looking for something concrete, one simple explanation of why I retired, and I'm not that simple, I'm not that shallow," he said. "It's a confluence of things. The pounding, the opportunity to do other things, the fact that I wasn't having fun doing it anymore.

 

"He is part of the reason why I retired from the game," Barber continued. "I have a choice and I lose no matter what. I can say nothing, which is cowardly, I can lie, which is immoral, or I can tell the truth, which will upset people."

 

In an excerpt from the book "Tiki: My Life in the Game and Beyond" obtained by the New York Daily News, Barber writes that he "might still be in a Giants uniform" if Coughlin had been fired after the 2006 season.

 

Coughlin has not responded publicly to Barber's comments.

 

Barber, a special correspondent for "Today," also will contribute analysis on NBC's Sunday night football broadcasts, also created a stir when he characterized as "comical" quarterback Eli Manning's attempts to become a team leader.

 

Manning countered by bringing up the distractions Barber caused when he announced his pending retirement during the season and later publicly questioned Coughlin's coaching decisions.

 

When asked by Lauer why he didn't tone down his remarks about Manning, Barber said, "NBC, Dick Ebersol, hired me to give my true opinions about what I believe is happening in a locker room. I wasn't ratting him out. And the intent of that comment was not to harm, it was to tell a story as I experienced it."

 

At least one of Barber's colleagues has been impressed by his candor. NBC football analyst Cris Collinsworth, also a former player, said, "I don't know that you can have it both ways, because the first thing everybody wants to do when they bring you out of uniform and put you in front of the camera is debrief you about your old team. It's just a fact of life.

 

 

 

"Would you prefer he says, 'You know, Tom Coughlin did an unbelievable job and my teammates are the best guys in the world?"' Collinsworth said. "All you would hear around the universe would be remotes going 'Click, click, click.' He's proven he's willing to say anything about anybody if it's what he truly believes. That's a pretty high standard, and I think he's crossed that threshold."

[jerseygiantfan]

USA TODAY ARTICLE....TIKI AND HIS CRITICS

[jerseygiantfan]

NBC counting on Barber for memorable clips

 

Friday, September 7th 2007, 4:00 AM

 

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The opening of any new season comes with mixed emotions. There are no exceptions. Not even for the wildly successful National Football League.

 

So, when the curtain was lifted last night in Indianapolis, there was fear of failure, anticipation of success and a commissioner - Mr. Roger Goodell - who should be concerned about when the next miscreant player will step out of line.

 

Smiles must be put on reserve. It's too early to be jumping for joy. Except for Tiki Barber. Today, the Giants' all-time leading rusher has every reason to flash his trademark toothy grin.

 

Yeah, Tiki sounded pretty cranky on his Sirius Satellite Radio show Tuesday night. He took strong issue with the Daily News having the audacity to saddle him with yet another front page headline, and marquee forum, for what sounded like a familiar rip (this one will appear in an upcoming book) of Tom Coughlin.

 

And sure, it cannot be pleasant hearing other players turned broadcasters - such as Phil Simms, Michael Irvin and Troy Aikman - tear you up for daring to criticize Coughlin and Eli Manning.

 

Then there are the Radioheads who were all talking Tiki. Some columnists chimed in, too - even some who once professed their love for juicy Barber quotes, but now are choking on them.

 

This convergence of massive publicity and Barber's NBC "Football Night In America" pregame show debut Sunday night, before the Giants' opener in Dallas, had Peacock suits so ecstatic they hustled to get Barber on the air during halftime of last night's Saints-Colts opening night tilt. This is reason enough for Barber to treat his critics like specks of lint.

 

Here's another one: Does anyone realize - or care - Bill Cowher (just another coach-in-waiting who will say absolutely nothing) is joining CBS' "The NFL Today" cast? Did you know Barry Switzer (on a conference call this week he said he couldn't answer a question about the Bears because he doesn't follow the NFL that closely) is the newest member of Fox's "NFL Sunday" team?

 

Switzer and Cowher might as well have been placed in a pregame show version of the Witness Protection Program. Barber has reduced them to ghosts.

 

When a former player is introduced on one of these shows, a video tribute of his greatest on-field moments usually follows. Barber will have a different - and unprecedented - introduction. On Sunday night, NBC will run 90 seconds of Barber video dominated by highlights of him running his mouth about Coughlin and Manning.

 

NBC Sports suits' message to viewers will be clear: We are giving you a former player who already has something to say. Not some mealy mouthed ex-jock who is still part of the fraternity.

 

"(Barber) will not play favorites," Michael Weisman, the veteran network sports producer, hired by NBC Sports boss Dick Ebersol to rescue "FNIA," said yesterday. "Tiki will criticize (his twin brother) Ronde if the situation warrants it."

 

Still, NBC execs were concerned about the state of Barber's mind. There were more than a few suits wondering if the fallout - especially over his Manning remarks - was messing with Barber's head. One week ago, Weisman invited Barber to his Manhattan apartment to find out if the criticism was getting to him.

 

"I just wanted to take Tiki's temperature to see where he is," Weisman said. "I do not see it having affected him. He will be resolute in continuing to tell the truth as he sees it....I suspect there are Giants fans who have a problem with anybody who criticizes the team. No matter what he says, there will be people who find Tiki a traitor and a turncoat. Tiki isn't concerned with what those people think."

 

Nor should he. He's not playing for them anymore.

 

By criticizing Coughlin last season, Barber enhanced his chances of landing a big-time network gig. Whether his words were spontaneous or calculated is not an issue now. On TV it does not matter if you are a phony. It only matters if you can deliver.

 

Now, Barber is playing with the big boys. Not only will the other networks - through various pipelines - be sniping at him, but he is working with a formidable NBC cast. Early on Sunday night - like about 7:06 p.m. - he will find himself sitting next to Bob (Rapping Roberto) Costas and the NFL's premier TV hatchet man, Cris Collinsworth.

 

And yet Barber will be called on to swing the ax.

 

Even more reason for him to keep smiling.

 

braissman@nydailynews.com