Blogger journal: Chronicling the training camp experience

by Ed Valentine on Aug 7, 2009 7:22 AM EDT in New York Giants News

With the New York Giants players in full pads Thursday night for the first time, the hitting and speed of practice picked up.

It also led to my first "Oh, s---" moment of the week.

We were on the farthest practice field last night, which I believe they call Field 4. It has the tightest sideline in terms of space from the field to the retaining fence of any of the fields. Anyway, I'm standing there in the media box during 11-on-11 drills when Eli decides to throw a wheel route to Brandon Jacobs. Cool, except, Jacobs is on the sideline 10-12 feet front of me, out of control and heading full speed right in my direction.

Thank God -- and thank you, Brandon -- that he was able to put on the brakes before I ended up "Laron'd" on the sideline. I would probably still be there!

I had another moment Thursday night where I had to make a decision. During punt drills Jeff Feagles sent a ball out of bounds headed within a step or two of me. I thought "I can catch that," which I could have by moving two steps to my left. Then I thought, "Man, there must be a thousand people right behind me. If I drop it, I'm gonna get killed."

I just let it bounce away.

I know you guys are enjoying the practice reports. What's killing me, though, is reading the reports from Mike Garafolo and Ralph Vacchiano. Every time I do that, I find stuff in there that I forgot to mention. I am out of practice, I guess. Garafolo, by the way, has a great eye for the hard things to follow, like interior line play. I don't know how he picks out some of the details he sees.
Let me finish with a quick memo to Garafolo, Tom Rock and the other beat writers. Next time you guys decide to play 18 holes, I want in.

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Comments

Should have stepped up Ed

Could have maybe landed yourself a roster spot.

by brisulph on Aug 7, 2009 7:42 AM EDT reply actions

Well ...

I probably could make the roster if I could handle the shotgun snap.

by Ed Valentine on Aug 7, 2009 8:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Ed, same rule applies as when you are at a baseball game. You go for the ball, no matter what.

Next time, you signal for a fair catch, and catch the damn ball. Or better yet, pull a “Leon Bright” don’t signal the fair catch, and then start running with the ball, weaving in between Garafolo and Vacchiano, and plowing over Vinny DiTrani

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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Aug 7, 2009 9:47 AM EDT reply actions

LOL!!

Yeah, well … TC lit up enough guys last night. He seemed to have a particular fondness for yelling at Dwyane Wright. I didn’t want to give him an excuse for yelling at me.

by Ed Valentine on Aug 7, 2009 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions

So how scary looking of a sight is Brandon Jacobs in full pads running downhill at you?

by Lucky7 on Aug 7, 2009 9:47 AM EDT reply actions

Well ...

How often do you even see me hint at using a curse word on this site?

by Ed Valentine on Aug 7, 2009 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions

How's Bradshaw looking?

Just wondering if he can fill Ward’s shoes on rushing, though I imagine he falls short in the receiving category?

Also, any odds on how Ward does this year with the Bucs? I have a gut feeling he won’t do as well.

by coops2001 on Aug 7, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Tampa is signing him

because he completely abused the Panthers’ D and they want that mismatch twice a year. They also need a strong run game to help ease Josh Freeman into the NFL. Our theory that he was productive mostly because Brandon Jacobs battered and wore down the defense before he came into the game is contested by NFL personnel bc of that stretch when Brandon Jacobs was injured and Ward stepped in and ran the ball well. I think he’ll do well in Tampa but won’t be running for 1,000 yards like he did with us. What I can’t wait for is to see Bradshaw as our #2 (assuming he doesn’t get beat out by Ware or Brown).

by mahmoodzaky on Aug 8, 2009 2:15 AM EDT up reply actions

Jacobs running right at you!

Ed, I would have had to head right to the Men’s room…You might want to consider bringing a couple extra pair of undies with you just in case!..haha

by Bobbiblue on Aug 7, 2009 10:44 AM EDT reply actions

I think Ed should have stood Jacobs up, knocked him down, looked him in the eye and said “Valentine, Big Blue View, can I have an interview?”

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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Aug 7, 2009 12:25 PM EDT reply actions

LOL!

by Bobbiblue on Aug 7, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions

HAHAHA

ask Charles Woodson how that worked out for him!

"We'll show up tomorrow and do the same thing we try to do every day, Kick Pedroia's ass in cribbage and try and win a baseball game."

by tito (eight and oh) on Aug 7, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions

LOL

pretty funny, but in all seriousness, your best bet is to hit the desk and hope you don’t get stepped on…hey it’s still better than taking on the business end of the big body back.

by andiamo708 on Aug 7, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Well

I’m 6-2, 200 pounds … but not big enough to take on a hit from Jacobs in full pads.

by Ed Valentine on Aug 7, 2009 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions

im the same height and weight

and he would for sure shatter my skeleton lol

by mahmoodzaky on Aug 8, 2009 2:02 AM EDT up reply actions

question

Ed, i know the players are signing autographs today, but what’s the deal with getting autographs after practice say for example tomorrow?

Not that i’m a big autograph guy but I’m heading up tomorrow and I want Corey Webster to sign my jersey….

you think i got a chance?

by andiamo708 on Aug 7, 2009 2:52 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah maybe

he-who-shall-not-be-named (Tiki) signed a hat for my friend after a day at training camp. My friend passed it along to me, and I was planning on selling it for alot of money but thats going to have to wait until the majority of Giants fans stop being pissed at him. If he makes the hall of fame, I’m going to try to sell it around then.

by mahmoodzaky on Aug 8, 2009 2:01 AM EDT up reply actions

You're doing great Ed

I would have needed a change of underwear if Jacobs were headed right at me, full speed.

by John W on Aug 7, 2009 3:19 PM EDT reply actions

Ed,

We’d rather hear what you have to say than the regular “beat” crew. Keep up the good work.

By the way, if you get a chance to talk to Coughlin be sure to pass on my thoughts about the 3-4 defense.

by giant fan since 57 on Aug 7, 2009 4:37 PM EDT reply actions

LOL!!

I sit thru a TC interview every day, and every day he can’t wait to be done w/it.

by Ed Valentine on Aug 7, 2009 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Ed, I feel you on the oh s--- moments...

having worked on the sidelines during practices and games for my college football team, I’ve been run over during practice, had the players make fun of me after watching the replays in the film room, and had a close call on national tv. But all in all, wasn’t it just awesome being that close?

by NYinCalifornia on Aug 7, 2009 9:13 PM EDT reply actions

Hahaha

“LaRon’d”… awesome. I’m sure the pure terror and loss of bowel control you felt is the same feeling most of the LBs and DBs in the league feel when they have to tackle him. When LaRon sees Brandon Jacobs running towards him come week 1, he’s going to start crying and turn and run away towards the Redskins’ end zone lol.

by mahmoodzaky on Aug 8, 2009 1:58 AM EDT reply actions