Die Hard Giants Fan

The Giants had to go back to work today, unfortunately. Below you will find a bunch of notes and reports assembled by a variety of beat writers. The Giants play their first game on Thursday so make sure you watch it.

The Star-Ledger

• Since Plaxico Burress has been unable to practice, he is contributing as an adviser to the Giants’ young receivers. Plax is taking on the mentor role even if the young guys don’t ask for it.
• Mike Garafolo assembled an in-depth 8/3 morning practice report worth checking out. Below is a sample of the entire report. There’s much more where that came from so go check out the source.
  • DEs Justin Tuck (foot) and Osi Umenyiora (hip), WRs Plaxico Burress (ankle), Amani Toomer (leg), Mario Manningham (groin) and David Tyree (knee/PUP), LBs Zak DeOssie (back) and Gerris Wilkinson (knee/PUP), CB Sam Madison (sports hernia), RT Shane Olivea and S Craig Dahl (knee) did not practice.
  • There we go again: first play of team drills was a bomb. Again from QB Eli Manning to WR Domenik Hixon. Great tackle on the play by CB Aaron Ross. Too bad it was way before the ball got there. That’s a 40-yard pass interference penalty on Ross.
  • QB Anthony Wright and WR Michael Jennings hooked up for deep in.
  • WR Craphonso Thorpe got the crowd excited with a spinning, toe-tapping catch on a fade to the left side from Wright. Dockery was in coverage on the play.
  • Hall ran a nice route to catch a hook from QB Andre’ Woodson in front of Webster. Hall later went deep on Pope, but the ball from Wright was overthrown and out of bounds.
• Mike Garafolo assembled an in-depth 8/3 evening practice report also worth checking out. Below is a sample of the entire report. There’s much more where that came from so go check out the source.
  • WRs Plaxico Burress (ankle), Steve Smith (groin), David Tyree (knee/PUP) and Mario Manninghan (groin), LBs Gerris Wilkinson (knee/PUP) and Danny Clark (sports hernia), CB Sam Madison (sports hernia) and OT Shane Olivea (back) did not practice..
  • CB Corey Webster would have none of WR Domenik Hixon catching a fade on the left side. He stayed all over Hixon and knocked the ball away. Webster also stayed stride for stride on a go from QB David Carr to WR Sinorice Moss. Webster had such good position it almost looked like he was the intended receiver. Webster knocked it away for a PD.
  • Hixon ran a perfect comeback to get separation from CB R.W. McQuarters and make a diving catch. McQuarters bounced back with a PD a few plays later when WR Craphonso Thorpe ran the same pattern.
  • LB Chase Blackburn keeps making plays. I mean, this guy couldn’t get a job after the draft a few years ago and now he’s a steady backup in my mind. Tonight, he stayed with Boss on a post into the end zone and wrestled with him to grab a ball from Wright for an INT.
  • WR Brandon London made his first nice grab in a few days on a skinny post over CB Kevin Dockery. Not a bad ball at all from Woodson. London then did a great job of accelerating to at least get his hands on a deep incompletion from Manning. The ball was overcooked and I didn’t think London had a prayer of getting there, but he dove and almost made the catch after getting past CB Terrell Thomas.
• Plaxico Burress did some light running for the first time since training camp.

Big Blue Blog

• Paul Schwartz assembled his own morning practice notes. Below is a sample of his notes, but there are not too many more.
  • On Manning’s second pass, Ross made another aggressive play, storming in to bat away a pass in the flat. Unfortunately for Ross, the ball was picked out of the air by RB Derrick Ward for a completion.
  • David Carr could not have thrown a better pass on a deep toss to Sinorice Moss, who had a step on two rookies, S Kenny Phillips and CB Terrell Thomas. The ball floated down perfectly to Moss … who watched as it slid right through his arms and to the grass. Moss looked up to the sky in bewilderment.
  • TE Kevin Boss, who has caught virtually everything thus far in camp, could not make the grab on a lunging attempt from Manning over the middle.

Inside the Giants

• Tom Rock believes that Sinorice Moss is basically playing for his Giants career in this camp so he’s been under the microscope this first week and a half. That means every drop is written about, and to be fair, there have been a lot of them. Moss had a pretty good practice tonight.

The Blue Screen

• Mike Garafolo put together another morning report and another evening report.

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Finally, the Giants are making a little splash in Free Agency.  It seemed like Sammy Knight was going to be the only free agent that the G-MEN would add, but now Big Blue signed David Carr and Danny Clark this week.  Carr is a former #1 pick who is going to fight for the backup QB role against Jared Lorenzen and Anthony Wright.  Carr only costed the Giants $1 million.  Danny Clark is going to compete for the outside linebacker position.  The rumors are that Clark got a 2-year deal worth $4 million.  So we have 3 starting linebackers, but the Giants will have to add some depth.  That’s what the Draft is for…

 Giants add veteran LB Clark - Michael Eisen reported that the Giants signed Danny Clark and provided a Bio on him.  Eisen also got Tom Coughlin’s and Jerry Reese’s thoughts about Clark.

“Danny Clark is a player I drafted a few years ago in Jacksonville,” Coughlin said. “We’re bringing him in as an outside linebacker. He is a very physical, very versatile player. Over the years, he has been a very good special teams player. Clark is a veteran guy with an outstanding work ethic. He will fit in well with our players in the locker room. He will have an opportunity to compete for a position.”

“He is a veteran linebacker who can play all three spots,” general manager Jerry Reese said. “He has been an outstanding special teams player. He is going to create competition in both areas, special teams and at linebacker. He fits the New York Giant mold.”

Giants sign QB David Carr - Michael Eisen reported that the Giants signed David Carr and provided a Bio on him.

Newsday:

Giants’ Strahan still up in air about retirement - Bob Glauber captured Michael Strahan’s thoughts on retirement:

I can’t say I don’t love to play and don’t love to see the guys, but when I see guys like Favre and Sapp and [Chiefs guard] Will Shields, all these guys who are players from my era, say, ‘Enough’s enough’ … Sometimes, you wake up and your body is hurting and you’re thinking, ‘Man, maybe enough is enough.’ You think about it.

New York Daily News:

Giants sign QB David Carr to one-year, $1 million deal

New York Post:

GIANTS DRIVE OFF WITH NEW CARR

New York Times:

Giants Sign Carr to Back Up Manning

The Star-Ledger:

Coughlin finally greases the JAX pipeline

Some extra coin for Johnson, Dockery - Michael Johnson and Kevin Dockery got some extra cash for playing in more games then they were supposed to play in 2007.

Add LB Danny Clark to the roster as well

Giants sign Carr as backup QB

Giants officially announce Carr signing

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One week has passed already, and we have to wait one more week till Super Bowl XLII.  How annoying is that?  Well, the Big Blue Wrecking Crew will be flying out to Arizona tomorrow.  Much more will be going on this week than went on last week.  They have to deal with all of the reporters and practice for the big game all week.  Nothing really happens on Saturday, and Sunday will come eventually.  The game will be at the University of Phoenix Stadium.

 Comeback Kid - Michael Eisen wrote a piece on Corey Webster season of ups and downs.

Transcript: Coach Tom Coughlin - Michael Eisen discusses the status of the Giants with Tom Coughlin.

Newsday:

SUPER BOWL XLII/GIANTS VS. PATRIOTS: BLOG BITE / From “What About Bob?” - Bob Glauber wrote an article about the gap in Michael Strahan’s teeth.

Giants packed and focused on winning Super Bowl -According to the AP, the G-MEN have their bags packed and are ready to fly to Arizona tomorrow.

This time, Strahan hopes to be a Super savor

Still Super for Hostetler

Super Bowl hype has feel of national holiday

Ex-Giant McConkey still believes in his team

Giants’ Tynes knows about dealing with adversity - Barbara Barker revealed all of the adversity Lawrence Tynes had to deal with growing up.

SUPER BOWL XLII: GIANTS VS. PATRIOTS: No guarantee - Shaun Powell pointed out that there were no guarantees made yet, but he included a quote from Joe Namath who had something to say “Eli and the Giants can do it, I’m telling you,”. 

Jaws has good, bad news - Ron Jaworski complemented the D-Line of Big Blue but questioned the secondary.

Defense leader Bruschi has become image Patriots - According to Tom Rock, Patriot players believe that Tedy Bruschi’s face is part of the logo on the helmet.

Snyder driving Redskins’ bus off the road again - Bob Glauber reported that Dan Snyder fired his Defensive Coordinator and Offensive Coordinator yesterday.  On top of the firings, the Redskins promoted Greg Blache to Defensive Coordinator and hired Jim Zorn as Offensive Coordinator.  I heard it on the radio and it made no sense to me because the Redskins still haven’t hired a Head Coach.  Earlier in the week, it seemed like Jim Fassel was going to be named the Coach, but now Dan Snyder said he is still looking for the right guy.  The strange thing is the Head Coach will have no say on who his DC and OC are because Washington already hired them.  This also means that if the Redskins do not have a Coach by next week then they can interview Steve Spagnuolo.

New York Daily News:

Hollywood script couldn’t top Tom Brady-Eli Manning storyline

Giant upset over Pats has familiar ring to New England’s shocker over Rams - If Big Blue pulls off the upset then maybe they will also win 3 Super Bowls in 4 years too.

News pits Bill Belichick’s best offense against his best defense - Hank Gola created an interesting scenario in this article where he raises this question: Would Bill Belichick’s best defense (’86 Giants) beat Bill Belichick’s best offense (’07 Patriots)?  Gola asked a number of players on the ‘86 Giants team and included a bunch of quotes.  The only issue was he didn’t include any quotes from Belichick or the ‘07 Pats.  Regardless, this was one of the most well thought out articles I’ve read in years.  Definitely check it out.

Tom Coughlin, Giants roll with changes

After missing ‘72 Dolphins, Patriot perfection would be somethin’ to see - I just wish it wasn’t my boys in blue in the way.  The Giants were the last team to try to ruin perfection in the Regular Season and in the Postseason.

Giants’ reality show a Super thrill

Playing through ankle injury, Plaxico Burress shows toughness

Giants secondary coming together in time to solve Tom Brady

Memo to Giants: Shut your Big Blue mouths before the Super Bowl! - I have a big problem with Bob Raissman writing this article.  You can tell what it’s about by the header.  Raissman included a list of five things that the Giants shouldn’t say.  I said that the Giants shouldn’t talk because the media spun things out of control and will give Boston bulletin board material.  Things weren’t even said though.  But, the same newspapers that fabricated stories should not turn around and say don’t talk.

Giants fan designed stadium holding big game against Patriots

Jay Alford says keeping cool under pressure now a snap

Jeff Feagles still kicking at 43

Revisiting Plaxico Burress’ year in black and Big Blue

Rich Seubert, Kevin Dockery on mend - Both Seubert and Dockery practiced yesterday, and they may be able to play in Super Bowl XLII.

Tedy Bruschi back, feeling Super - Rich Cimini wrote an article about how excited Tedy Bruschi is to go to the Super Bowl again after suffering a stroke.

As Super Bowl approaches, experts say NFL needs to tackle HGH issue - While baseball is finally fixing the long overdue issue, the other 3 major sports are doing nothing to fix the problem.  It’s a shame, and I’m glad that they are being called out on it.

New York Post:

THIS IS OUR COUNTRY - Steve Serby believes that the 2007 Giants are the same as the 2001 Patriots.

MATCHUP OF THE DAY - Steve Serby stated that the best matchup will be between Osi Umenyiora and Matt Light, and he believes that the Giants have the edge in that matchup.

COREY TURNS CORNER AT THE RIGHT TIME

SERBY’S SUNDAY Q&A WITH… Lawrence Tynes.

DESERT BLOOM

COUGHLIN: WIN OR ELSE IT WON’T MATTER - Nationally, that sums it up.  But Giants fans will remember how the team exceeded all expectations and is playing in the Super Bowl.

NO DOUBTING THOMAS - Mark Cannizzaro ensures us that Adalius Thomas is the real deal.

BRADY STILL LIMPIN’

DOCKERY: OUR GOAL TO BEAT UP PATRIOTS’ WRS

HE’S MINI-MOSS - Brandon London had to play the roll of Joey Galloway, Terrell Owens, and Randy Moss in practice.

V IS FOR VICTORY - Bobby Valentine, former Mets GM, wrote an article about why he is a Giants fan.

NO REAL SHOCK - The New York Post assembled some thoughts from the fans regarding Jeremy Shockey.

BELICHICK: THE GIANT YEARS - Brian Costello wrote also wrote a great article about Bill Belichick.  It isn’t as good as the one before, but still really good.  I’ve heard a ton of Giants fans call up radio stations this week bashing Belichick.  I don’t understand how you can do that to a man that was a huge part of winning two Super Bowls with Big Blue.  Belichick is in the AFC, so who cares?

RE-WRITING WRONGS - Mike Vaccaro went into his archives and located articles where he bashed the NY Giants.

HOLLYWOOD ENDING - Steve Tisch believes that the Jints will upset the Patriots.

New York Times:

Linked by Blood and Roots - John Branch covered the family ties between Justin Tuck and Adalius Thomas.

Redskins Get New Assistants but Await Decision on Coach

The Star-Ledger:

Is Tom Brady hurt or what?

Spagnuolo’s wife snips at Brady

Iraq War hero awoke the NY Giants

Dockery ready for Super Bowl duty

Pats vow no Week 17 repeat in Super Bowl - The Patriots said that they didn’t play good defense that night because they gave up 35 points which is true.  I say that the Giants defense didn’t play good because they gave up 38 points.  We’ll see what happens next week.  I expect a lot less points in the Super Bowl.

NY Giants Webster validates his pick

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Even though I’m a Die Hard Giants Fan and Big Blue is playing for their Playoff lives, the biggest story of the day is that Kevin Everett will be walking on the field either in the pregame or during halftime.  We don’t want to downplay the outstanding medical staff of the Bills as well as the willpower of Everett for fighting through this situation and getting him to walk again.

 CB Dockery, DT Wright and WR Tyree do not make trip - Michael Eisen pointed out that a few Giants didn’t make the trip to Buffalo.  Big Blue is already banged up on defense, and now they will play without Kevin Dockery who has been filling in for Aaron Ross in the secondary.  Manny Wright has not started recently, but Tom Coughlin has used him from time to time the last few weeks.  Last, Tyree’s mother passed away this week.  God bless her soul.  So David Tyree will not be able to make it to the game today.  This may impact the field position on some kick returns, but it is what it is.

Newsday:

Attaboy, Tom! You’re the best! - Anthony Rieber made a list about who’s the best manager in New York.  Obviously, Isiah Thomas was at the bottom, and somehow Tom Coughlin topped their list.

Bills-Giants matchup is test for Coughlin - Arthur Staple got this out of Tom Coughlin regarding today’s game, “We know that anything goes here,” he said. “Anything goes.”

Just like that, Giants aren’t lock for playoffs

New York Daily News:

With Patriots on deck, Giants looking for one win at Bills to secure playoffs - If you haven’t been paying attention all week then this is the situation.

Mike Tannenbaum, Bill Parcells now on opposite sides - Just in case you want to read more about Bill Parcells.

Inside the talks that made Bill Parcells choose the Dolphins and not Falcons

Brandon Jacobs looking to take Tiki Barber’s torch - Hank Gola pointed out what Tiki Barber did when the pressure was on:

In the last two seasons, when the Giants needed to win their final games to make the playoffs, Barber came up with two of his greatest games - in last year’s season finale in Washington, where he had 258 total yards and the year before in Oakland, where he had 263.

Hank believes that Brandon Jacobs needs a game like that for Big Blue to clinch a Wild Card spot.

New York Post:

JINTS FEELIN’ CLINCH PINCH

SERBY’S Q&A WITH… -Steve Serby had his Sunday Q&A Session with Osi Umenyiora.  The first question is  hysterical so check it out.  I don’t know if I buy that.

ELI’S GOING TO NEED SOME HELP

BIG BLUE TASK: GET MORE TURNOVERS - This is the goal of every team in the sport every week.

New York Times:

Teams Looking for Game Plan to Combat Cold - Bring me some old-school smashmouth football and a G-MEN victory.

The Star-Ledger:

The game plan, my friends, is blowin’ in the wind… - According to Mike Garafolo, the wind is already blowing from 40 - 60 mph in Buffalo.  Note to T.C.: have Eli hand the ball off to Jacobs, Droughns, and Bradshaw as many times as you threw the ball against Washington and you’ll be fine.

On-field collision has forever changed the lives of Everett and Hixon

Bills present a unique challenge

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There a few Jints defenders that are going to be sitting on the sideline this week due to injuries.  Others are going to step up to fill in.  Hopefully, the Giants are going to be alright tomorrow against Da Bears…

Newsday:

Giants will use Dockery for Ross at cornerback

New York Daily News:

Derrick Ward eager to return to starting lineup for Giants in Chicago

New York Post:

A CORNER OFFICE

New York Times:

Hester Is Giving Bears and Fans Happy Returns

The Star-Ledger:

Injuries in secondary has team scrambling

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Back-ups review

Offense:

QB: Jared Lorenzen and Anthony Wright are strong QBs but still need some adjustment with their accuracy

RB: Reuben Droughns, Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw will switch up the pace nicely

FB: Robert Douglas will hopefully recover well and make a great addition

TE: Kevin Boss and Michael Matthewshave been fitting in with the team and with the plays as well

WR: Steve Smith, David Tyree and Anthony Mix are solid back-ups. They’re very well rounded and all have great speed and hands.

OL: Zach Piller, Grey Ruegamer, Guy Whimper and Adam Koets have been doing very well but I feel need better coaching to position themselves.

Defense:

DE: Adrian Awasom has been doing average work and will need to step it up if he wants to be around next year

DT: Barry Cofield, Manny Wright and Jay Alford need an extra push. I can definitely see them becoming successful just need to put extra aggression in their style of playing.

LB: Chase Blackburn, Reggie Torbor, Zak DeOssie and Gerris Wilkinson will be great back-ups. Chase and Reggie are above average compared to Zak and Gerris but we can depend on all our options if need be.

CB: Corey Webster, Kevin Dockery and Aaron Ross are the best additions. Any of these guys can be put in the field starting day and make a hell of a contribution

SS: Michael Johnson and Craig Dahl will do fine. I still believe we need to work on them a little more to compete with top receivers

Overall we have a strong team here. We can depend on some back-ups more than others but I’m sure they will all be watching themselves carefully to better their own skills.

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After today’s cuts, Michael Eisen provided a list of his predictions, and here it is:

Offense: 26

Quarterback (3): Eli Manning, Jared Lorenzen, Anthony Wright.

Running Back (4): Brandon Jacobs, Reuben Droughns, Derrick Ward, Ahmad Bradshaw.

Fullback (1): Robert Douglas.

Tight End (3): Jeremy Shockey, Kevin Boss, Michael Matthews.

Wide Receivers (6): Amani Toomer, Plaxico Burress, Sinorice Moss, Steve Smith, David Tyree, Anthony Mix.

Linemen (9): David Diehl, Rich Seubert, Shaun O’Hara, Chris Snee, Kareem McKenzie, Zach Piller, Grey Ruegamer, Guy Whimper, Adam Koets.

Defense: 24

Ends (3): Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, Adrian Awasom.

Tackles (5): Fred Robbins, Barry Cofield, William Joseph, Manny Wright, Jay Alford.

Linebackers (7): Antonio Pierce, Kawika Mitchell, Mathias Kiwanuka, Chase Blackburn, Reggie Torbor, Zak DeOssie, Gerris Wilkinson.

Cornerbacks (5): Sam Madison, R.W. McQuarters, Corey Webster, Kevin Dockery, Aaron Ross.

Safeties (4): Gibril Wilson, James Butler, Michael Johnson, Craig Dahl.

Specialists: 2

Punter (1): Jeff Feagles.

Kicker (1): Lawrence Tynes.

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