Goff works with first team at middle linebacker; Tuck talks shoulder

[Mr. P]

Goff works with first team at middle linebacker

 

It’s just the first OTA and training camp is a long time from now so it’s awfully early. But for what it’s worth, Jonathan Goff worked with the first team at middle linebacker during Tuesday's OTA according to Justin Tuck.

 

Tuck participated in the first OTA and the defensive end said competition should be strong between Goff, Chase Blackburn and rookie Phillip Dillard when asked about what the Giants will do to replace Antonio Pierce.

 

We got to catch up with Tuck on Wednesday at a golf Pro-Am and discussed numerous subjects from his shoulder to Osi Umenyiora to new defensive coordinator Perry Fewell. I’ll write all about Tuck and have it up Thursday morning.

 

And sorry for not doing the chat on Wednesday. We are working on doing it on Thursday instead now.

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-yorkgiants/post/_/id/353/goff-works-with-first-team-at-middle-linebacker?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

 

 

Tuck: Shoulder is stronger every day

 

GLADSTONE, N.J. -- Justin Tuck's surgically repaired left shoulder is feeling good these days.

 

So good, in fact, that the New York Giants defensive end didn't feel any hint of pain or restriction while playing a round of golf Wednesday during an LPGA Pro-Am event held before the Sybase Match Play Championship.

 

"My shoulder has been improving just about every day," Tuck said right after coming off the 18th hole at the Hamilton Farm Golf Club. "Still not 100 percent, but I'm out here playing golf and I didn't grimace at all, so it has been feeling good."

 

Tuck said he expects to be ready to go for training camp in August, barring any setbacks. On Tuesday, he went through full non-contact drills with the team during the Giants' first offseason voluntary training activity. His shoulder withstood running and responded well after Wednesday's 18 holes in a group with LPGA rookie Azahara Muñoz of Spain.

 

Last season, Tuck could barely move his arm after suffering a partially torn labrum in Week 2 after he was tripped by Dallas' Flozell Adams. Still, Tuck didn't miss a game, playing with a harness -- and with pain. He finished with six sacks, half of the total he posted in 2008.

 

This season, Tuck hopes to return to being the healthy defensive end who had 22 sacks combined in 2007 and '08.

 

"I can move my arm," Tuck said. "That is the big thing. Last year I kind of just played through the pain and I think it was stupid of me because I hurt my team more than I helped them."

 

Tuck said he didn't like what he saw of himself on film last season and estimates that he was about "65 to 70 percent" of what he usually is.

 

"But when I decide to go on the football field, that is the end of it," Tuck said. "Once I step on the football field, I hold myself to that standard if I was healthy or whatever. Nobody at that point in time is healthy. So for me, I don't use it as an excuse."

 

Tuck knows there was no excuse for the Giants defense to perform the way it did last season. The Giants finished 8-8 after starting the season off 5-0 and the defense surrendered 40 points or more in three of the last four games.

 

Tuck says the Giants need to return to the mindset of becoming a dominant defense again.

 

"We do have a lot of talent," he said. "Last year we were beat up and we are getting healthy again. We are still a young defense. We are quick, fast and a smart defense. Hopefully we can get back to what Giant defense is all about."

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/news/story?id=5202315

[*SDMF*]

Work hard Chase, Im routin for ya!

[JMFP]

Interesting to hear Tuck say what I thought all along.....they should have shut him down last season. He was nowhere near the manimal we are accustomed to.

[TaylorBanksCarsonVanPelt]

I agree 100% Joe...this belief that half a player is better than his replacement is bullshit.

[NeMesiS]

Interesting to hear Tuck say what I thought all along.....they should have shut him down last season. He was nowhere near the manimal we are accustomed to.

Then that would have meant the Giants would moved Chase to DE and unleashed him to get the QB. C'mon, Joe...Do you really think the NFL is ready for that?

[JackStroud]

what a bunch of morons

 

chase blackburn has played MLBer in quite a few winning efforts

 

goff one

 

goff looked as lost as you could be out there last season.,,,,,,,,im rooting for him but commmmonnnnnn

 

perhaps our starting MLBer is not even on the roster.....very possible

[Mr. P]

how do these morons have a job in professional football but jack doesnt?

 

it amazes me.

[Mr. P]

also,

 

 

if you read the ota updates thread, 1st team mlb was goff, 2nd team was dillard, 3rd team was wilkinson.

[Bigblue25]

Jack is actually right on this one, Goff was lost last year

 

http://profootballfo...type=r&playerid=

http://profootballfo...id=4479&group=7

[Treehugger]

Jack is actually right on this one, Goff was lost last year

 

http://profootballfo...type=r&playerid=

http://profootballfo...id=4479&group=7

Wow, look at Michael Johnson's stats!