What we have learned so far

by Ed Valentine on Aug 4, 2008 5:00 AM EDT in News Comment 19 comments

Training camp enters its second full week for the DEFENDING SUPER BOWL CHAMPION New York Giants today. What have we learned so far? Quite a bit, I think. Here is a list of the top 10 things I've learned.

Mathias Kiwanuka is going to be an absolute monster. Read the practice reports from the beat reporters and you see his name all over the place. He is making plays down the field in pass coverage, in the back field against the run and pressuring quarterbacks when lined up at defensive end. Let me say this right now. If Kiwanuka is healthy all season, he will be the Giants best defensive player.
Eli Manning better not get hurt. David Carr is a reclamation project and he is, well, an adventure every time he takes a snap. Anthony Wright is, well, Anthony Wright and that means you better hope he never has to play. Andre Woodson is a rookie with a lot to learn.
The Denver Broncos didn't know what they had in Domenic Hixon. The Broncos released Hixon last season, and he made an impact with the Giants on kick coverage and returning kickoffs. During camp, Hixon has shown he is much more than a special-teamer, and he is pushing hard for time at wide receiver.
Kenny Phillips is a bundle of energy who loves to hit people. The Giants will be hard-pressed to keep their No. 1 pick out of the starting lineup once the season begins.
The Giants are anything but complacent. They may not win another Super Bowl, but it won't be because they have gotten fat and lazy. The Giants still feel largely disrespected, and I really don't mind the fact that they still feel they have a lot to prove.
It's a good thing the Giants signed free-agent linebacker Danny Clark. It's pretty obvious the veteran is going to wind up starting at one outside linebacker spot since Gerris Wilkinson has yet to get on the field due to his injured knee. Wilkinson's knee seems worse than anyone let on during the off-season, and you have to begin to wonder about his future.
Terrell Thomas, the second-round pick from USC, is as advertised. A big, physical corner who loves to play bump-and-run and dare receivers to beat him.
Sinorice Moss needs to show more -- and soon -- or he will play his way out of a job. Hixon, Steve Smith and free agent Brandon London have all apparently been very impressive, and coach Tom Coughlin has always been intrigued by Michael Jennings. Plus, Super Bowl hero David Tyree will be around if and when his knee is healthy enough.
The Giants want to get more quick strikes into their passing attack. They have begun almost every practice with a deep pass, and Coughlin is emphasizing the fact that he would like more big plays from the passing game.
Plaxico Burress' ankle has to be the Giants' biggest concern right now. Burress, who swears this is a different injury than last season's, has not practiced yet. We know 'Game Day' always shows up to play, but with a bad wheel and a contract issue lingering it's time to begin wondering just how much of a problem this is going to be.

Sunday morning practice report.
Sunday evening practice report.

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Nice

write up Ed. I’m excited about Kiwi, Hixon, Phillips, and Thomas as well. I’m really bummed about Wilkinson. I had high hopes for him, especially after that Pats game last year. Sounds like Clark will be fine, but Gerris’ altheticism is so enticing.

by potroast on Aug 4, 2008 9:04 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

When I initially heard

about the Danny Clark signing, I was kind of excited because I remembered how well he had played on bad teams, but tried to temper that while keeping in mind his age. It’s good to hear that he’s doing well in practice so far.

by rzor on Aug 4, 2008 9:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Clark

I think everyone would love to see Wilkinson get healthy and get an opportunity. He is very athletic and seems as though he could be an excellent player. If that isn’t going to happen, though, it’s nice to have a capable veteran who can step in.

by Ed Valentine on Aug 4, 2008 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

the Patriots

have done alright with aging linebackers the last few years. As long as he can still play, I think we’ll be in good shape.

by cjmulrain on Aug 4, 2008 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I do worry about the QB spot.

How long can Eli go w/o missing a game? No one’s indispensable, but…? I’m hoping Carr can make clear to all what it is management saw that prompted them to give him a shot.
On the other hand, from the overall team perspective, things look good.
I like the way so may young guys are strutting their stuff.
Considering how well other WRs are doing, it doesn’t look like Moss’s performance so far justifies his staying with the team.

by george cronin on Aug 4, 2008 10:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Eli's a tough kid

After injuring his shoulder in the opener against Dallas last year, my recollection is that he was projected to miss at least 2-3 weeks. As we all know now, he came back and played next week against the Pack. Not all that well, but he did play.

Besides, if genetics are any indication, the Manning boys come from pretty hardy stock. Just ask Jim Sorgi.

by knickfan on Aug 4, 2008 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Funny -

I typed the same thoughts in a post but thought that the other commenters here would kill me for jinxing it it!

But yeah, you are right, the Manning bros are certainly sturdy.

And I agree about Carr. He’s shown nothing thus far….

Interesting nugget about Chris Simms in today’s MMQB by Peter King. He’s in no-man’s land in TB and the organization is looking for some value for him; a 4th-rd pick I would suppose. The idea is that he will be cut by Labor Day by the team and that Dallas looks to the likely destination….

...However – this could be interesting. IF Carr proves nothing in the next 2 weeks I think Chris Simms would be a PERFECT #2 for the G-Men. Lineage aside, he is a guy that can definitely win you some games if your #1 goes down. I would not be at all opposed to Reese trading something like the #5 from the Shockey deal for Chris Simms. If Carr keeps on stinking up the joint (like everyone is reporting), how can you go into the season with your backup options Carr/Wright/Woodson??

by Cody K on Aug 4, 2008 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Simms

I have had the same thought about him since last season, when it was obvious the Gruden had soured on him. He’s young enough, has some experience and is probably better than Wright or Carr.

by Ed Valentine on Aug 4, 2008 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Take a look....

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/peter_king/08/03/mmqb/2.html

Pretty interesting. And I would say that he is DEFINITELY better than wright or carr…..

by Cody K on Aug 4, 2008 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

I would have no complaints if the Giants brought him in to back up Eli.

by Ed Valentine on Aug 4, 2008 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Trade Moss for Simms

by TerraByte on Aug 5, 2008 12:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kiwanuka

It’s nice to hear how well he’s doing after worrying about his move last summer. Just as disappointing is Wilkinsons’ injury. I finally got the DVDs of last years playoffs which included the week 17 Patriots game. Although this was the only game i watched so far it was mainly with an eye on Gerris. He was actually faster than I even remembered and although he really shouldn’t be covering wide recievers(doesn’t look back) he does in fact appear to have LT speed(Did NOT say talent).
The Pats may have done pretty well with their experienced / old linebackers but it seems by week 21 they had lost a step(I’ll never complain). It’s either that or Boss is even better than he gets credit for,which doesn’t seem possible. It will be good to get all the young guys out there. Hind sight being 20/20 it sure seems though K.Mitchell will be the Giants biggest loss of the offseason. Don’t know all that much about Clark but KM was a force once he got comfortable.

We're only gonna score 17 points?

by big blue wrecking crew on Aug 4, 2008 11:13 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re Boss:

You’re right, it might not seem possible, but I have a sneaking suspicion he is, and by a long shot. What a pair of hands!

by george cronin on Aug 4, 2008 11:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hey George

Got DVDs of playoffs yesterday and yeah , the kid has great hands ,better than I even remembered. He was a pretty crappy blocker though! Hope he’s been working on it.

We're only gonna score 17 points?

by big blue wrecking crew on Aug 4, 2008 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's Pope's specialty

so I guarantee you he’ll get better. He helped Shockey become a hell of a blocker and Shock never had to block before.

by potroast on Aug 4, 2008 9:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Denver's mistake

Last year Hixon was involved in the collision that almost killed a Buffalo player and in the weeks after Hixon wasn’t the same player. Denver attempted to get him onto the practice squad until his head cleared, but the Giants stepped in and snatched him away. The Broncos were very disappointed that they lost him, so great move NY.

by DBinKC on Aug 4, 2008 1:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs