New York Giants training camp: That's a wrap!
by Ed Valentine on Aug 25, 2009 11:42 AM EDT
in New York Giants News
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PrintAs I write this, most of the New York Giants players, coaches and staff members are already zipping up the Thruway heading for their in-season homes in and around New Jersey.
The final practice of New York Giants training camp at UAlbany was held this morning -- perhaps the last Giants' practice ever in Albany. That means this will be your final practice report from me.
- Practice began with a real downer this morning. On the first pass play off 11-on-11 drills, Aaron Ross was left crumpled on the ground in agony grabbing at his left hamstring. Ross, trying to work back in after missing most of camp with the hamstring injury, was trying to cover Steve Smith on a deep ball. Instead, he wound up being helped off the field. I doubt we see him again any time soon.
Great quote from Tom Coughlin on Ross' injury.
The poor kid cannot get beyond that. He starts working his way back and he obviously made a sudden move to try to catch back up to a receiver that was going by and…it’s very frustrating because he’s not had a lot of time on the field.
- Hakeem Nicks followed Monday afternoon's all-world practice with an up-and-down effort. Nicks was consistently open, but dropped the first two deep balls he got his hands on. Both times he had beaten defenders. Toward the end of practice, though, Nicks beat safety Kenny Phillips and made a gorgeous stretching touchdown catch of an Eli Manning floater for a touchdown.
- Never thought I would see this from backup tight end Michael Matthews. Not exactly known for his receiving skills, Matthews made an oustanding one-hand leaping catch on an out in the flat from Manning. He stuck his big old right hand up and the ball stayed in it.
- Typical Coughlin during pre-practice stretching drills. Walking up and down the lines yelling "Be a winner, be a winner ... Focus ... Effort, effort."
- I guess the Giants couldn't leave Albany without Adam Koets and Andre Woodson messing up one final snap. I can't give Koets too much grief, though. It's the first bad exchange since prior to the first exhibition game.
- Perfect illustration of the Ramses Barden effect this morning. Rhett Bomar threw a triple-covered Barden a deep ball that he had no business sending in Barden's direction. Guess who came away with the ball?
- Perfect illustration also of the limitations of Sinorice Moss. Single covered down the middle by Kevin Dockery, Moss could only watch David Carr's slightly overthrown pass sail over his head. Barden catches that ball. Then again, I think several of the other receivers could have hauled it in.
- Kenny Phillips made a nice play to knock a Carr pass away from Beckum.
- Bomar threw the ball well this morning. Several nice short throws in limited opportunities.
- Domenik Hixon outran Corey Webster to haul in a deep throw from Manning.
- Some nice battles this morning between Derek Hagan and Terrell Thomas.
That's about it for today. Now I go back to being a regular blogger.
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Ed...
great job this year…this summer was my first time coming here but i’m sure to be back. You did an excellent job of keeping everyone posted. I know your probably itching it get out of Albany yourself but remember, it beats being shackled to a desk and a phone all day.
One last point about Ross…I hope he can mentally deal with this injury. After hearing about his lack of enthusiasm last year I was kinda concerned. This being his 3rd year I was finally looking for Ross to become the guy we though he was. What the heck is going on with hamstring injuries this camp??? I thought it wasn’t supposed to be that serious and now it’s looking rather serious. Should T. Thomas start coming out the gate? I think he has to, no?
Training camp
You forget … or maybe didn’t know … that I live here. I’m just 15 minutes away, so I love camp being in Albany. Too bad I seriously doubt they will ever be back. As for a desk job, I sure would love it if this keeps growing and I can actually make a living from it.
by Ed Valentine on Aug 25, 2009 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions
As for Terrell Thomas
Yes, he should be the starter.
by Ed Valentine on Aug 25, 2009 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions
gotcha...
never knew you lived up there.
So will you continue to post on this site? What goes on from here???
He'll keep posting
Wet Willies and Kudos are his thing. He splits time with the yankee blog, but I would guess he’ll be back in full force for the G-men soon.
This is my No. 1 priority
I will still be here pretty much every day, just not with first-hand reports.
by Ed Valentine on Aug 25, 2009 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm REALLY getting sick of this training camp....
and preseason.
Not cuz I don’t see the point of all this, the players and coaches NEED this to evaluate and get up to speed and all that good stuff.
But all these injuries that may put the season in doubt, like the 2 OG’s, Canty, Ross, Alford….I can’t stand this crap.
Do what Jerry Hairston do
same here...
all off season all we heard was how banged up everyone was and how much they needed the rest and get some time away from football…but here we are….at the end of camp and we a lot of guys banged up and injured again.
I mean, injuries happen and they’re to be expected but I feel like we’re depleted. 2 guys lost for the season (brown and alford) and another 2 with no real time frame to return (Ross and Canty)
Id put Alford in that no time frame for now
I know his injury more than likely is a season ender, but they still said they are gonna take 2 weeks to re-evaluate.
Maybe a bit optimistic, but why not? Should he work his way back by say…Week 10 (or whatever is after the Bye week), that would be just about the time we really needed Alford anyway as the 5th DT in the rotation.
It still is more than likely IR, but if no IR, it could work out that he’s fresh just at the right time.
Think positive……I know there’s some Met fans here, but let them think Doom (sorry Met fans..I had to)
Do what Jerry Hairston do
by FreeBradshaw on Aug 25, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions
that would be ideal FB...
but can they evaluate him before they have to make up the final roster? Would they have to put him on the IR when they make cuts??? or can they do it down the road when they’re more sure about the severity of the injury.
If he’s not on the IR we lose a spot on the roster right? A spot that could be needed.
I kinda wish
The G-Men traded up to get Darrelle Revis or even Leon Hall. Aaron Ross seems like he can’t go a game without pulling up at some point. I think he’s a good player, but it’s just annoying. With the emergence of Terrell Thomas, Dockery and even the Rookies, I think Ross is on the verge of becoming expendable. I wouldn’t mind if they shopped Ross to see what they could get.
President of the Ramses Barden Fan Club
by Hoyadestroya85 on Aug 25, 2009 12:52 PM EDT reply actions
knowing the giants...
they were not going to do something like that this early on in Ross’s career. I mean we’ve hung in there with Moss for how long? Oh gawd…i just realized they’re one letter away from the same exact name!!!!
I do happen to agree with you though about Ross. The jury is still out on him but at least we were expecting him to be healthy this year! Now he’s on the verge of turning into a bust. He still has his first round talent but need to get a better feel for the guys he’s defending and w/ T. Thomas lurking…well it could be a long before he ever reclaims his spot. Thomas is only going to get better…made a great read on that pass from Cutler…i think he surprised himself…too bad he didn’t make the pick but you see there is talent there.
Ross
got banged up in the shoulder (or reaggravated) during the Dallas playoff game. Maybe he’s just injury prone, too bad because I like his talent. When will we get an est. on his return?
And Ed, you’ll never go back to being a regular blogger in our eyes ;)
No bromance jokes please
You play to win the game!
by Simms-McConkey on Aug 25, 2009 12:59 PM EDT reply actions
I believe I recall the players complaining..
About the field conditions up there..not absolutely sure..though if true, then that could be a contributing factor to hamstring problems..and Ed, man I really appreciate your work here and your insights. I say we all chip in to getting you back in camp next year!!..and bring Ryan too..He takes great pictures!!..He’ll probably take even better ones after you schedule that boy a visit with “Dr. Phil”…“Son, what ever possessed you to become a Patriots fan?”..“Are you resisting sound, Fatherly advice?”..“You need to get with the righteous program, Son”..“Look at your Dad over there all sad”…“He’s trying to teach you what is right..You need to be True Blue son” …LOL.. Bob
Tynes
whined about the grass being too thick last year, then hurt himself kicking on it. I haven’t seen any problems with the fields at all this season. I might just ask you guys to ante up if camp is at the Meadowlands. We’ll see.
by Ed Valentine on Aug 25, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Okay all you Giant fan guys and gals..
Let’s figure out how to raise funds for Ed to cover training camps in the future for us..I think we should get a bank account in Bigblue’s name so we can help Ed cover his expenses..We don’t have to do it right away, but we need to think about it beforehand. It won’t be convenient for him if they re-establish their camp in the Meadowlands..Ed lives in Albany..That is over 130 miles from Jersey..Any thoughts????..Bob
Camp
If we have to, we’ll figure it out. There are ways it can be done.
by Ed Valentine on Aug 25, 2009 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions
We will..Can't have you sitting up there in Albany
When we need your reports and insights. You figure out what we need to do and I’m sure everyone will suppport it.
Damn
adding Ross to Brown, Alford, Canty, etc…this is starting to feel like the ’09 Mets or something.
by Caseys Kiss of Death on Aug 25, 2009 1:41 PM EDT reply actions
WHOA!!!
Lets not put Giants and mets in the same category (we’ll leave that to the Jets and Mets….).
We still have all the big guns anyway.
Alford and Brown were depth guys (potentially excellent ones tho…), Ross was down last year a bit and even if he was 100% from what I’ve been hearing Terrell Thomas might have beaten him out anyway.
And Canty, while out big name FA guy, is another depth guy. We still have Robbins and Cofield and Bernard.
Do what Jerry Hairston do
by FreeBradshaw on Aug 25, 2009 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions
I was just hoping for ...
more depth on the 45-man game day roster, rather than “depth” on IR, which is a looming possibility.
Our success is relatively recent, so let's put it in perspective here
but yes, the Mets injuries are all to big-time starters, whereas ours is mainly to depth (albeit, immensely talented, starter-caliber depth). The comparison is merely that it seems so totally avoidable, doesn’t seem to be going away, and can prove costly.
by Caseys Kiss of Death on Aug 25, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions
you're right,
but Im just saying that while the Mets have had this sort of luck for years, the Giants in the JR era have gotten away with stuff like this.
Plus, out backups aren’t wastes of life like the Mets backups. And our coaching staff knows what they are doing too (even Gilbride)
Do what Jerry Hairston do
by FreeBradshaw on Aug 25, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions
It remains to be seen
if our strength-and-conditioning coaches are any better, though. ;-)
by Caseys Kiss of Death on Aug 25, 2009 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Luck
It’s a reminder that in addition to everything else, it takes luck to win big in sports. Luck as in remaining free of injury and distraction.
by hopeforthefuture3 on Aug 25, 2009 2:00 PM EDT reply actions
Superstition (spelling suspect)
Was also part of Parcell’s regimen (still is probably)..I read his book after the ’86 season, and he refused to pick up a penny in his shower that was “face-down”..He considered that bad luck.
How often was the dude finding pennies in his own shower that this became an issue?
by Caseys Kiss of Death on Aug 25, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions
everyone knows a face-down penny is bad luck
You play to win the game!
by Simms-McConkey on Aug 25, 2009 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Lets all bear in mind that...
even though we have depth at DT, Canty was pegged to start. It was going to be Canty and Cofield starting while Bernard and Robbins got up to speed and came off the bench.
His contract alone is a clear sign he was going to be a starter here.
Something tells me
that with Alford out, it may be beneficial to the pass rush because it opens up the door for someone like Maurice Evans and maybe puts Sintim on the field more with his hand in the dirt. Run defense may possibly falter, but i think the pass rush could even be better.
President of the Ramses Barden Fan Club
Mark my words.
One day, I am not say this season but I wouldnt’ rule it out either, Ramses will set the league on fire.
Hey Ed, how often did you see Ramses practice with the first team this camp?
Zero
Barden got some work one-on-one against Terrell Thomas, but I can’t recall seeing Barden work with the first unit at all. Hakeem Nicks, on the other hand, has gotten some work with Eli in three-wide sets this week.
by Ed Valentine on Aug 25, 2009 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Look at it this way then
he was still making great plays with a lesser QB throwing to him, and was beating Thomas, who isn’t too shabby a corner himself.
Bodes well.
by Caseys Kiss of Death on Aug 25, 2009 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions
that picture posted...
probably the biggest smile i’ve ever seen on Coughlins’ face…even after winning the SB. Was this photo shopped? lol
Probably
just saved a bunch of money on car insurance by switching to Geico.
by Caseys Kiss of Death on Aug 25, 2009 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions
She reminds me of what Katy Perry is gonna look like in 10 years
if she gets a little strung out on coke in that time.
by Caseys Kiss of Death on Aug 25, 2009 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Down here them Lizards never knock on the door selling insurance in suits..
They are a big pain in the arse!!..lol..Not one time has a basket full of money show up in my window, so I could proclaim..“That’s the money I saved on my insurance”..lol
That smile..
May very well be a subliminal message that things are not as bad as we think..That is definitely a Super Bowl smile..
I think I am beginning to feel..
Stir crazy over the start of our season…Every year at this time I start joking around and stop worrying..I think everything will be alright..We have alot of talented players..The guys that are hurt will heal..except the most serious..It’s a long season..and I can’t wait.
Injuries
Every team is dealing with injuries, no doubt.
by hopeforthefuture3 on Aug 25, 2009 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Off topic...
not for nothing , but i’m gonna miss this place…i was haning out at MG’s place…everyone telling me who I can and who i can’t respond to, “don’t respond to him…he’s a dallas fan….he won’t stop if you keep respond”…how the hell should I know? Acting like I’m a regular in the comments section or something…lol. Acting like they own the blog and MG is cutting them checks on the side lol.
this place is better b/c you can reply to certain people or just start a new comment…that way you address your audience and fellow commenter without starting a effing emotional breakdown from people ur not even talking to. Good stuff.
LOL..yes this is the place to be!!
Our fan base is venomous..The only spat I’ve had out here was with a young kid the same age .(30 tyrs) old as my eldest Son…Jerseysportsjerk..but he is a good kid..well intentioned…We shook electronic hands and made up ..Funny thing is I didn’t know he just turned 30..I wished him a happy birthday..The fans on this site know sports..We are New York trained!!..Plus, we have the Yanks headed for the playoffs!!
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