+29
-- See SB Nation's Big Blue View for complete Giants coverage, and for first-person training camp reports.
In a move Mike Garafolo of the Star-Ledger called “stunning,” the New York Giants have signed two-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman Shawn Andrews.
Andrews is a 6-foot-4, 335-pound former Philadelphia Eagle. He is a talented, but troubled and oft-injured player who spent last season on IR.
“Our personnel staff has been monitoring Shawn’s progress for a while now,” general manager Jerry Reese said in the team’s press release. “He looks great and had a very good workout for us yesterday. He can play both guard and both tackle positions. We just have to take him slow for the rest of the preseason to get him into game shape. Shawn is very excited and grateful for this opportunity to play for the New York Giants.”
This move tells you the Giants have to be concerned about the condition of Pro Bowl guard Chris Snee’s knee, and about their overall offensive line depth.
The New York Giants will have two extra bodies available on Saturday night when they take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in what will be the second preseason game for both teams. Tom Coughlin said after Thursday afternoon’s practice that safety Kenny Phillips and linebacker Keith Bullock will both suit up and see at least some action against the six-time Super Bowl champions. Both Phillips and Bullock are recovering from knee injuries, and should benefit from taking the field for at least a handful of series with their defensive teammates.
-- See Big Blue View for more camp coverage.
Eli Manning, baseball cap and all, did a little bit — a very little bit — of work during Thursday’s New York Giants Training Camp Practice at the University at Albany. He threw a handful of passes during offensive drills and did some individual work.
Mostly, Manning stood and watched Rhett Bomar and Dominic Randolph run practice. He won’t play Saturday, but the sight of him on the field throwing the ball had to make Giants fans happy.
Jim Sorgi will miss 2-3 weeks with a shoulder injury unrelated to the partially torn labrum he already has, according to a report.
Mike Garafolo reports that the Giants waived injured tight end Jake Ballard to make room on the roster for Dominic Randolph, signed Wednesday as an emergency backup quarterback.
Hey, at least the Rhett Bomar-loving crowd over at Big Blue View should be happy about this news.
With starting quarterback Eli Manning and backup Jim Sorgi both unavailable for Saturday’s preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers the the New York Giants have added Dominic Randolph to their roster.
Randolph, an undrafted free agent from Holy Cross was signed and released by the Giants this spring.
Coach Tom Coughlin said Manning will not play Saturday for the simple reason that he can’t put on a helmet without a risk of ripping open the 12 stitches he has in his forehead after Monday night’s preseason opener against the New York Jets. He may practice some.
“There is a question about what he can do with a hat on rather than a helmet. I’m not going to rush that and if the doctor says it’s OK for him to throw then maybe he’ll do some throwing but he’s definitely not going to put the helmet on,” Coughlin said.
Manning passed his concussion test Wednesday morning, and feels good. Other than not being able to put a helmet on, of course.
“I physically feel fine,” Manning said. "I threw some balls today, running around, I know what’s going on and I’m all there so it’s just a matter of getting the helmet on.
“I always thought my first game ever at Philadelphia, would be the biggest hit I’d ever take, Jerome McDougle kind of gave me a good pop but this is right up there, kind of a double whammy, you get a little blood and stuff, its always a good hit, so hopefully this will be the worst one.”
Second-year quarterback Rhett Bomar took all the snaps in practice Wednesday as Sorgi did not even attempt to throw.
According to Vacchiano the Giants are sending Sorgi to the Hospital for Special Surgery for an MRI on his shoulder. Sorgi has a partially torn labrum in his throwing shoulder to begin with, and Vacchiano said there is “some concern” about his status.
“I don’t know. I really don’t know. The doctors are going to have to come and tell us what that status is. He’s sore and he could not practice today,” said Coughlin.
There’s not too much to overanalyze here, but a quick note on the Giants’ second preseason game this coming Saturday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ben Roethlisberger, who faces a four to six game suspension to start the season, will make his preseason debut against the G-Men on Saturday night. After not appearing in his team’s first preseason game on Saturday, Big Ben will see at least some action in what will be both teams’ second preseason game. If nothing else, that should give the Giants’ first team defense a good test early on in the contest before Big Ben turns the reins over to Byron Leftwich and/or Dennis Dixon.
Undrafted rookie free agent Victor Cruz was the star of Wednesday morning's practice by the New York Giants at the University at Albany. "I think I got their attention a little bit," Cruz said.
http://www.bigblueview.com/2010/8/11/1617736/giants-training-camp-wednesday
Aug 12 10:07a
by Ed Valentine
of Big Blue View
- 0 comments
New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin says he has no concerns about the FieldTurf at the New Meadowlands Stadium heading into Monday’s pre-season opener against the New York Jets.
The Giants lost Domenik Hixon to a knee injury during their first mini-camp practice at the new stadium in June, and some questions were raised about the safety of the surface at the $1.7 billion facility.
During his press conference Wednesday, though, Coughlin said any concerns have been addressed.
“We have been back over there as coaches and looked at it. We were assured when we walked around. All of our concerns we had at that time have been answered,” Coughlin said. “They did some work on the center of the field. They did some work to make sure the distribution of the granules was even. They did a lot of that. They checked each area with a meter to make sure it all met to the specification.”
No more injuries when guys are untouched, please.
Fans of both teams — and media members — might want to, but New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin is placing no special emphasis on the fact that Monday’s preseason opener is against the New York Jets.
“If we did something along those lines I just don’t think it would be smart,” Coughlin said Wednesday during Giants Training Camp at the University at Albany. "We’ve still got 16 games to go, four pre-season games.
“You want to win, but you’re not going to sacrifice the ability to evaluate personnel for that, because that’s what preseason is.”
So, despite the fact that it’s the Jets — and the first game at New Meadowlands Stadium — don’t expect to see any starters after the first series or two. And expect to see a lot of guys you have never heard of in the second half.
— See Big Blue View for more camp coverage.
Safety Kenny Phillips, sidelined since Week 2 of the 2009 season with an arthritic knee condition that required micro-fracture surgery, practiced with the New York Giants today for the first time this season.
Phillips did individual drills and took about 12 snaps, working in a rotation where he took only two snaps at any given time. Coach Tom Coughlin said the Giants will "feed him back in slow, real slow." Phillips will not play in next Monday's exhibition opener against the New York Jets.
"We had him out there, which was good and gave him a couple of snaps on each drill," Coughlin said. "He did OK. He hit the ground once, which was good."
Phillips spoke to the media following the practice.
"I wasn't worried about my knee at all," he said regarding a play in which he got knocked down. "I jumped right back up and tried to get back to the ball."
Phillips has remained positive for the past several months during his rehabilitation. While others doubted he could return from patellofemoral arthritis, he did not.
"I had no doubts. The trainers and doctors assured me I could make a full recovery, so I had no doubts at all."
See Big Blue View for more Giants Training Camp news and discussion.
New York Giants guard Rich Seubert is expected back at practice Wednesday despite having broken a bone in his hand last Thursday.
Some injury news, a nice day for undrafted free agent reciever Tim Brown and a mention of Mathias Kiwanuka taking some snaps at linebacker.
http://www.bigblueview.com/2010/8/7/1610821/giants-training-camp-saturday
Aug 07 12:05p
by Ed Valentine
of Big Blue View
- 0 comments
Lots of injury news coming from New York Giants Training Camp following Friday's workout at the University at Albany. Big Blue View has all the details, and reports on how the offensive line replacements fared.
http://www.bigblueview.com/2010/8/7/1610223/giants-training-camp-offensive
7:34a
by Ed Valentine
of Big Blue View
- 0 comments
Rich Seubert has a broken bone in his left hand, according to The Daily News.
No official timetable for his return.
New York Giants guard Rich Seubert apparently showed up for lunch today at the University at Albany with a cast on his left wrist/forearm. He refused to discuss the nature of his injury.
http://www.bigblueview.com/2010/8/6/1609045/giants-training-camp-seubert-in-a
12:33p
by Ed Valentine
of Big Blue View
- 0 comments
The New York Giants were in full pads for the first time during Thursday evening's training camp practice at the University at Albany. Big Blue View offers observations from the sidelines.
http://www.bigblueview.com/2010/8/5/1608118/giants-training-camp-thursday
Aug 05 10:41p
by Ed Valentine
of Big Blue View
- 0 comments
On Tuesday, Giants fans held their breath when Hakeem Nicks sustained what appeared to potentially be an unfortunate and serious knee injury. Just two days later, Nicks is back on the practice field and confident that there’s absolutely nothing to worry about moving forward.
“I didn’t think there was nothing wrong, but it was something I wanted to get checked out because it was like for that slight second, I felt a little something,” Nicks said Thursday. "But I felt like I was fine.
“I just came down straight-legged and hyperextended it a little bit. They wanted to check it out just to make sure it was nothing serious because it looked a lot worse.”
Good news considering Nicks missed significant time during his rookie season with injuries. He’s still a guy to keep an eye on at all times though until he shows some sort of ability to stay healthy for prolonged stretches.
Osi Umenyiora said Wednesday he would be “cool” with coming off the bench if Mathias Kiwanuka wins the defensive end job.
“I’ve been very selfish in the past with my demands and some of the things that I wanted,” Umenyiora said Wednesday, talking for the first time in training camp. “I don’t really feel that way anymore right now. There’s enough playing time for everybody.”
While he’d be cool with coming off the bench, he still hasn’t been able to completely shed his attitude.
“If I’m coming off the bench I’m going to be the best bench player ever,” Umenyiora said.
Umenyiora had said in the past that he would consider retiring if he didn’t start. He also said the team would start the best players and if he was one of the best players and didn’t start, there could be issues. But he changed his tune Wednesday.
-- Big Blue View has more on Osi and the Giants this morning.
The New York Giants got good news on second-year wide receiver Hakeem Nicks this morning. The 2009 No. 1 draft choice showed no serious issue with the right knee Hicks hyperextended near the end of Tuesday evening’s practice.
Here is the statement from the Giants.
Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks hyperextended his right knee at the end of yesterday afternoon’s practice. Nicks underwent an MRI in Albany last night and another at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in Manhattan this morning. He was examined by team physician Dr. Russell Warren at HSS. The tests and exam showed nothing out of the ordinary with Nicks’ knee. Nicks, who is currently practicing once a day as he comes back from offseason toe surgery, could possibly return to the practice field as early as tomorrow.
— See Big Blue View for complete camp coverage.
An MRI on New York Giants center Shaun O'Hara showed no significant damage to his swollen ankle. The Giants came up with a new concern at the end of practice, however, as second-year wide receiver Hakeem Nicks was carted off the field after injuring a knee near the end of practice. For now, the Giants are saying the 2009 first round pick hyper-extended the knee. Remember, though, they did not initally think wide receiver Domenik Hixon had suffered significant damage, and he is now out for the season. So, we won't know anything for certain until the tests are completed.
http://www.bigblueview.com/2010/8/3/1603795/giants-training-camp-tuesday
Aug 03 7:07p
by Ed Valentine
of Big Blue View
- 0 comments
Big Blue View was in attendance for both New York Giants practices Monday at the University at Albany.
- Morning Report
- Afternoon Report
Big Blue View has the highlights from an abbreviated, light workout held on the first day of New York Giants Training Camp.
http://www.bigblueview.com/2010/8/1/1600085/giants-training-camp-first
Aug 01 6:33p
by Ed Valentine
of Big Blue View
- 0 comments
Jason Pierre-Paul, the New York Giants’No. 1 pick, has signed a five-year, $20-million contract. All the Giants will report to camp on time Sunday at the University at Albany.
The Giants will place the third-round pick on the Non-Football Injury list.
With training camp set to open on Monday for the New York Giants, the roster has been trimmed by two as the team makes its way down to a new 53 men to start the 2010 season. Those players are?
Linebacker Kenny Ingram and defensive end Ayanga Okpokowuruk. The transactions make sense in that the moves open up two roster slots for their top two draft picks, Jason Pierre-Paul and Linval Joseph, both of whom are currently unsigned.
2010 New York Giants Training Camp Schedule
August 1 (Sun.)
Practice: 3:15-5:15 p.m.
August 2 (Mon.)
Practice #1: 8:35-10:35 a.m.
Practice #2: 3:15-5:15 p.m.
August 3 (Tues.)
Practice #1: 8:35-10:35 a.m.
Practice #2: 3:15-5:15 p.m.
August 4 (Wed.)
No Practice
August 5 (Thurs.)
Practice #1: 8:35-10:35 a.m.
Practice #2: 6:05-8:05 p.m.
August 6 (Fri.)
Practice: 2:35-4:35 p.m.
August 7 (Sat.)
Practice #1: 8:35-10:35 a.m.
Practice #2: 6:05-8:05 p.m.
August 8 (Sun.)
No Practice
August 9 (Mon.)
Practice #1: 8:35-10:35 a.m.
Practice #2: 6:05-8:05 p.m.
August 10 (Tues.)
Practice: 2:35-4:35 p.m.
August 11 (Wed.)
Practice #1: 8:35-10:35 a.m.
Practice #2: 6:05-8:05 p.m.
August 12 (Thurs.)
Practice: 10:30-11:30 a.m. (Jog-Thru)
August 13 (Fri.)
Practice #1: 8:35-10:35 a.m.
Practice #2: 6:05-8:05 p.m.
August 14 (Sat.)
Practice: 2:35-4:35 p.m.
August 15 (Sun.)
Practice: 10:00-11:30 a.m. (Jog-Thru)
August 16 (Mon.)
NFL Preseason Game at New York Jets, 8:00 p.m.
August 17 (Tues.)
No Practice
August 18 (Wed.)
Practice: 2:35-4:35 p.m.
August 19 (Thurs.)
Practice: 2:35-4:35 p.m.
August 20 (Fri.)
Practice: 10:30-11:45 a.m. (Jog-Thru)
Camp Ends
August 21 (Sat.)
NFL Preseason Game vs. Pittsburgh, 7:00 p.m.
— Check the UAlbany website for updated information.
Though some in the media -- and the blogosphere -- have speculated that New York Giants' coach Tom Coughlin faces a 'win or else' 2010 season, team co-owner John Mara says that is not so.
Mara spoke to the New York Daily News about the state of the Giants, and the status of the veteran coach, as training camp approached.
Here is part of what Ralph Vacchiano's report."You can't let one year influence how you look at your team," Mara told the Daily News. "You have to take a long-range view of it. The league is too evenly matched in terms of talent. If you let one bad year - and keep in mind we were 8-8 (last year), it wasn't like we were 4-12 - you can't let that play too big a role in how you look at your team."
Coughlin has had a remarkably successful tenure with the Giants since taking over for Jim Fassel in 2004. He has a 55-41 regular-season record, two division titles, four straight trips to the playoffs and a Super Bowl title.
But after the way the Giants collapsed last season, it appeared the 63-year-old's honeymoon might finally be over. His team ruined a 5-0 start with a 3-8 finish, missed the playoffs and was humiliated in its final two games by a combined score of 85-18.
When the carnage was over, Mara was seething. He declared he was "unhappy at everybody" and that the .500 season "felt a lot more like 2-14 to me." He said that Coughlin and GM Jerry Reese were safe for the moment, but he left everyone wondering how long that would last.
"I mean, how would you expect me to react - especially the day after - to those final two games?" Mara said. "I mean, everybody was upset. I just happened to be the one to voice it publicly. But everybody in the building was upset about it. I would expect that."
Being upset, however, didn't mean he was compiling a short list of new coaches - even with a big name such as Bill Cowher looming on the sidelines. After the Giants' Super Bowl victory in 2008, Coughlin signed a four-year, $21million contract that locks him in through the 2011 season. Barring a disaster of a season - think a 4-12 type disaster - there's no reason to believe that will change.
"No, there's none of that," Mara said, when asked if Coughlin was facing a "win or else" campaign. "I know some of you guys are going to write that, but that's not how we're thinking at all. The only time I make changes is when you completely lose confidence in your personnel. That couldn't be further from the case here."
Over at Big Blue View, I have repeatedly defended Coughlin and I will continue to do so until I see signs that Coughlin can no longer produce winning football teams. Last December I said calls for Coughlin to be replaced, possibly by Bill Cowher, were "an emotional over-reaction to a bitterly disappointing season."
I still see that as the case. As a Giants' fan, I have complete faith in Coughlin, and I'm glad to see that Mara does as well.
Have Giants Left Albany For The Last Time?
The New York Times wonders if the just-concluded New York Giants Training Camp will be the final one they hold at the University at Albany.
The Giants are, of course, non-committal.
I am somewhat biased on the subject because I live within 20 minutes of the UAlbany campus, meaning when the Giants come to Albany I can see almost every practice. I also, however, happen to think getting away to a different location for camp has tremendous value for a team.
We will just have to wait and see if the Giants agree.
Aug 20 12:00p by Ed Valentine - 0 comments