One of the great things about spending a few weeks on the sidelines during New York Giants training camp at UAlbany was getting to know some of the folks who cover this team on a regular basis.

Last week I posted a two-part conversation with one of those guys, the Star-Ledger's Mike Garafolo. Another guy I got to know a little bit is the eminently approachable and likeable Tom Rock of Newsday.

Rock and I talked about doing a Q&A style chat several times during camp. Somehow, we didn't get around to it until Tuesday afternoon while Tom was driving up the Thruway and I was sitting on my deck at home. Here is the main audio portion of our conversation.

-- Tom Rock Interview

I think you will like some of the things Rock has to say about the Jets, the depth of the Giants defense and the impressive play of Clint Sintim in camp. Thanks to Tom for taking the time.

Here is the second part of my conversation with Mike Garafolo, New York Giants beat writer for the Star-Ledger. We strayed away from pure football topics toward the end of our chat, but I still found it worthwhile. I hope you do as well.

Ed: So ... a sort of selfish question for you here. This is the first time that I've been able to get credentials to be here. I looked around, I saw guys from Bleacher Report here. I saw guys from Big Blue Interactive. I've seen all sorts of non-traditional media here. Does that bother you at all, or make it even more difficult for you, or are you OK with it?

Mike: Oh no, believe me, I'm very much OK with it because I think it actually helps us. I think it actually ... if we choose to recognize that there are a lot of people out there that have have passion for the game, passion to understand the game, and that in many ways we're being taught again -- if we are willing to listen -- that the old way of doing things is gone. By that I mean, you know, you had one story in the paper every day and if wasn't about the quarterback or the wide receiver or whoever it wasn't gonna get any play and the editors weren't interested in it. I think in my place it was a little different, so I'm speaking in generalities here. But, I think what you're seeing now is people have a hunger for news about 1-80 on this roster, every single guy. For good information, and we're getting guys that are coming in and doing this for their own Web sites, like you. For other Web sites that are not paying them a lot of money. So, it's not about keeping their job, it's about the love of information and I think that's great because that reminds us what we're here for and what people really want from us. So, by no means is it a threat or is it anything that I worry about. I welcome ... the more the merrier.

Ed: One more thing and we'll wrap this up. You're here for a couple more days. Looking forward to getting out of Albany and getting yourself back home?

Mike: Yeah. I'll be honest with you, coming back after the first pre-season game. Albany, number one, has grown on me as I've kinda had a chance to figure out the best things to do and the best restaurants and that kind of stuff.

Another thing is when you get up here you're able to put the blinders on. You're able to ... it's just about the work. You don't have bills to pay and, well, you have laundry to do but you kinda just let it pile up in a bag and do it when you get home. So, I kinda like being up here and ... I can see now why the coaches want it for the players 'cause it's very similar for them because they're able to just put those blinders on and just focus on football. So, I'm hoping that we come back next year at least for the two weeks.

Ed: We talked about Albany a little bit. Gut feeling on whether they come back here at all, even for a shortened stay?

Mike: Such a tough call. I will tell you one thing. It doesn't sound like that it's a big deal for the coach to be away because he's done it before in Jacksonville and hasn't had to go away. I thought that really the best shot for them to come back would be if Coughlin was really pushing for it, and I don't that it's that big of a deal to him, so that kind of changed my opinion as to whether or not they'll come back. We're gonna have to see how this plays out. I'd say I'm leaning more toward them just staying home, but I think we're a ways away from that."

-- Many thanks to Mike for spending the time to chat. If you aren't regularly reading his stuff then you are missing out.

Way back at the beginning of New York Giants training camp I asked Mike Garafolo of the Star-Ledger if he would sit down and do a Q&A type conversation with me. After lunch on Thursday, we finally got around to having that little chat.

Sitting on the steps of the UAlbany Colonial Quad just outside the dining hall we talked about Plaxico Burress, the Giants, the blogosphere and some other stuff. That is, in between Mike having to stop to do what I believe was a radio bit and us having to dodge various media types and Giants officials -- and one stray janitor -- meandering up and down the staircase.

Anyway, here is the result of our conversation. I have transcribed it almost exactly as it took place, simply as a conversation. I hope that comes across. I chose not to upload the audio since I don't want MG getting any heat from his bosses. It will run in two parts simply because, as I got into it, I realized we covered a lot of territory in the 10 minutes or so that we talked.

Ed: So, let start with today's news. Get that out of the way. Your reaction to the Plaxico news today?

Mike: As it pertains to the team, or just my reaction?

Ed: Yours, personally.

Mike: It's tough because I know the guy pretty well and it's funny, everybody says that they're surprised at how personable he is, how thoughtful he is and I agree with that. But, there is no excusing what he did. Covering him you come to the realization he's got deep-rooted issues, authority issues, trust issues that he's had for years just because of how he grew up. I think they kinda came to a head. He's gotta deal with those now, and the way it went down you just hope that he's learned his lesson and that he's able to deal with these issues. I'll tell you this. I've covered guys before that tell me that 'I never carry a gun. My guys around me that I've known since I was a kid, they want to carry a gun that's fine. But, something goes down 'hey, I didn't have it on me.' He would never be that guy because he could never trust anybody to do that. I'm not saying by the way that I'm recommending that. What I'm saying is that when you don't have that kind of trust and you can't trust a club to provide its own security, all that kind of stuff you carry a gun yourself these are the consequences.

Ed: Right. It's interesting. I talked to Jason Cole about him about a year ago and he basically said the same thing ... he's got deep-rooted trust and security issues.

Mike: Yeah, Jason got to know him well because of the book he got to write with him, and got to really see those and explore those. So, yeah, that doesn't surprise me.

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I sent questions (some of mine and some of yours) to Star-Ledger Giants' beat writer Mike Garafolo about a week ago. With mini-camp and all the player interviews he has been doing himself, it has taken the great MG a while to find time to get back to me.

Today, though, we have his answers. First, you will see a few questions from me. Then, many of the questions you guys e-mailed in.

Mike Garafolo: In no particular order: both WRs Hakeem Nicks (good job of creating separation, catching balls near the sideline and very good hands) and Ramses Barden (long-striding deep threat), LB Clint Sintim (tall and thick plus pretty good feet in pass drops), S Sha'reff Rashard (good instincts and seemed like a real good kid), DE Maurice Evans (relentless pass rush and great feet) and QB Rhett Bomar (strong arm, confident; should beat out Andre' Woodson). It's tough to tell a lot of the other positions in limited contact drills and I've always said it's extremely difficult to see what the interior linemen are doing from the sidelines. (Which is why the coaches rely on the "eye in the sky" film.) So I'll try to gather more info on some of the other guys in the coming weeks.

MG: Definitely two guys: Evans and Rashad. Evans was all over the QBs the entire camp, but I want to see if he can do that with David Diehl or Kareem McKenzie. It's one thing to beat tryouts off the edge; it's quite another to speed rush around a veteran. But Evans does have a quick first couple of steps, so it could be interesting. As for Rashad, he looked like one of the most comfortable players out there. He stood out the way you'd expect a first-round pick to stand out: flying up toward the ball when other DBs were flat-footed and making a great play to cut in front of the receiver on an INT. The Giants don't have a lot of depth at safety, so Rashad definitely has a chance to make the roster.

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Steve Smith

New York Giants' wide receiver Steve Smith answered some questions from me via e-mail. Here is our conversation.

Big Blue View: You have been asked about Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden a bunch of different ways lately. Let me try to put a different spin on it. Can you explain what kind of adjustment a receiver has to make coming from college to the pros, and why does it seem like it takes many receivers a while to become productive at the NFL level?

Steve Smith: Well it's a job now, which a lot of people don't understand it. There's no more showing up late, because now you'll get fined for it. You have a lot more independence but it's a lot of responsibility. Playing four pre-season games, 16 regular-season games, and four playoff games is real tough on a players' body. That's where stretching and taking care of your body is very important.

BBV: You run some terrific, precise pass routes. What goes into developing that kind of ability? Are there certain things you watch for in terms of 'setting up' a defensive back?

SS: I think it's a little bit of natural given ability and paying attention to the details, like keeping your head straight so you don't tip off the DB. You need to be deceptive and be on the same page with your quarterback. You have to be creative getting off of the line, too.

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Danny Ware runs in a 2008 pre-season game.

Derrick Ward in Tampa Bay? Ahmad Bradshaw seen as the consensus No. 2 back behind Brandon Jacobs? Andre Brown drafted in the 4th round, ostensibly to take some of those carries Ward left behind?

Danny Ware isn't worrying about any of that. In a recent conversation with 'Big Blue View,' the 24-year-old Ware makes it obvious that all he wants is a chance to play.

"I am really excited about this opportunity," Ware said during a recent phone interview."All I'm going to do is work and work and work and do whatever they ask me to do. I've been ready to get on the field for two years."

Technically, Ware did get on the field in 2008, playing special teams quite a bit as the season progressed. Yet, buried behind a bevy of good backs he carried the ball just twice for 15 yards.

In a recent entry on his blog, Ware wrote this about his 2008 season.

I would rate last season a 3 on a scale of 1-10. I feel I was born and bred to run the ball and play on offense, but last year we had so many running backs I played mostly on special teams. I contributed, but not the way I want to.

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Kevin Boss runs away from New England safety Rodney Harrison for a 45-yard gain in Super Bowl 42.

A special treat for you today, Big Blue View Nation. I was able to speak with New York Giants' tight end Kevin Boss recently, and much of what we talked about is recorded below.

Boss, in New Jersey for the first week of 'voluntary' off-season workouts, was kind enough to spend about a half-hour answering my questions. He would have given me more time, I think, but I ran out of things to ask him.

I found him to be friendly, thoughtful and engaging. He seems to be truly appreciative of the opportunity he has with the Giants.

Hopefully, you enjoy what the Bossman had to say.

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Every so often writing this blog lets me do something that I think is really, really cool. Today is one of those days.

Thanks to the folks at Next Level Sports Marketing, who put me in touch with him, I have a lengthy Q&A for you with ex-Giants defensive end Leonard Marshall, one of the greatest players to ever suit up for Big Blue.

Marshall played 12 seasons in the NFL, 10 with the Giants lined up next to Lawrence Taylor. He played on two Super Bowl champions and recorded 83.5 career sacks.

He took the time to answer questions about his playing days, about the current Giants and about what he is up to these days. Thanks, Leonard!

Anyway, here is the Q&A. Enjoy!

Big Blue View: You played on two Super Bowl championship teams with the Giants. Can you compare the team that just won the Super Bowl to the championship teams you played on?

Leonard Marshall: The 1990 Giants and this year past championship team had a lot in common. It was a team of destiny. Both teams dealt with a lot of pre-season adversity pretty much around the same time. Michael Strahan and a few others held out of training camp in 2007 just like the time Lawrence Taylor and I held out of camp seeking more compensation in 1990. We all returned to play for the team around the same time and dealt with matters pretty much the same way. We returned to work with no animosity, banded the team together as leaders, and willfully motivated our team's strengths and assisted with overcoming our personal weakness in the process. In 1990 the team to beat was the glamorous 49ers and in 2007 the team to beat was the glamorous Pats. We both lost to these teams in that particular season while beating them to become Champions. This is what history does from time to time. It repeats itself.

BBV: When Giants' fans think of Leonard Marshall, the first play that comes to mind is the crushing hit on Joe Montana in the 1990 NFC Championship Game. I can still see it. What do you remember about the play?

Marshall: Let's replay it again thru my vision. When the call came in from the sideline from Bill Belichick I knew I'd be in position on the weak side of cover 2 man to make a play. This was my favorite defense to play because I had a tremendous amount of confidence in Mark Collins and Perry Williams' ability to cover in man-to-man situations. These two guys had blazing speed and knew their surroundings well. As the play began I made a move on Bubba Parrish and slipped. I was then blocked and cut by running back Tom Rathman. I crawled and began running in the area of Joe. While watching Joe pat the ball telling Jerry Rice to run I noticed he had no idea of his environment. I continued my pursuit and as I did I noticed LT make him pull up and Mark Collins remained in coverage. I dove and left my feet with the intent to strip the ball and have Collins or Taylor run it in the end zone similar to a play LT made in the 1988 playoff game in New York when Jim Burt knocked Joe out of that game. As we both collapsed Montana whinced and I knew it was the end of an era for them. I knew he was hurt bad and that it was likely he wouldn't return. It was probably the greatest football play made in an impact game. Probably the greatest play I ever made in my lifetime as a football player.

BBV: When historians look back on the era you were with the Giants they think of the 49ers and Bears as the great teams of that time. You guys won two championships. Why do you think the Giants are often an after-thought in that conversation?

Marshall: Because folks around the sporting world think that New York teams/players get hype due to being in the media capital of the world. Nine professional sports franchises, thirteen newspapers, and I do not have any idea of how many television stations. Tons of coverage is given to professional sports because college sports take a back seat in the Northeast except for basketball.

It's unfair to use this against these athletes who work so hard to broaden their careers in sports and become immortalized as some of America's greatest sports professionals. We were probably the greatest Giants team to win decisively in 1986. We had a hard-hitting defense which was a vanilla college 3-4 with great coaching, technicians, and leadership. It wasn't like we played a trick and game scheme defense or have a cast of convicts as players. We had hard-working young men who grew up quickly in New York and adopted the behavior and mindset of New Yorkers.

BBV: You spent most of your career with Lawrence Taylor lined up behind you. Tell us a little about playing with LT. Could you ever feel fear coming from the guys on the other side of the line?

Marshall: Please allow me the ability to correct this statement I played directly next to LT. Together we instilled fear in a ton of apposing offenses throughout our conference and the league at large. I think when I first joined the team we grew fairly quickly. Lawrence respected my ability and knew together we'd make each other better. It's that type of love great athletes share and those bonds help win championships. There's one other guy who goes along in that equation just like LT. Harry Carson was a man on a mission before I joined the Giants. After realizing the type of impact players he had around him it created opportunities for his career to further. Look back at (the) season before I joined the team and Harry's production versus the last five years of his career. The fact that he elevated his production tremendously and made Pro Bowls when any other 3-4 Middle Linebacker would have been finished. This is what great players who collectively work together can accomplish.

BBV: I understand you have been running the Leonard Marshall Football Academy for several years. Can you tell us a little about the academy and why it is important to you?

Marshall: I ran the Leonard Marshall football academy as a way to give back to a few kids with hopes of changing their lives like Wallace Francis did for me as a kid. I recall often when football became a big interest to me. I was 9 years old and Mr. Francis (who grew up in my home town) brought several of his Atlanta Falcons friends to visit tiny Franklin, La. to see a bunch of kids. Who likely would never meet, touch,or obtain an autograph from the likes of someone like them. These men threw the ball and discussed with the kids how much the game changed their lives. I never forgot this. I carried this for all my years as my motivation to make it out. I love sharing my story which is how the camp came to fruition.

BBV: You are currently a professor at Seton Hall University. How did that come about?

Marshall: My dear friend Deborah Gabry asked me would I be interested in having a dinner auctioned off as part of a raffle to help raise money for this University located in the Oranges in New Jersey. Once the auction was complete she contacted me to have diner with the winner. The winners happen to have been the Dean of Seton Hall's Stillman School of Business. Karen Boroff and I hit it off so well she asked me to become part of the new leadership of Seton Hall. I guess she loved the fact that now out of football I was able to "connect the dots" a phrase I often use when I talked to night young people attempting to further their respective causes of action with their lives. It has been an incredible partnership and marriage both for SHU and Leonard Marshall. It's also very sound business for the metro area to see one of its successful gladiators of the past remains grounded and humble while continuing to share his success with the general population. I love people and when I can I tend to give what I get!

BBV: I asked about the hit on Montana. Not counting that, do you have a favorite play or favorite memory from your playing career?

Marshall: My favorite memory was the year we won our first NFC Title in 1986 and the fans gave us a ticker tape parade in the stadium as the game finished. They announced during the game that the Mets had just won the World Series in Baseball. New York was just buzzing. Of course wining Super Bowls and the moments from those games will never fade. I often in my head see George Martin sacking John Elway just before the half while LT, Eric Howard, and I celebrate in the end zone ... What a moment in sports.

BBV: Was there one guy you had to line up against throughout your career who you absolutely hated to play against? A guy that just gave you fits? Or, on the flip side, a guy you just loved to torment?

Marshall: I loved playing against Luis Sharpe. Carl Banks would just get my ass going every week we had to play them. I think Bill Parcells was more nervous than I was during those days because Sharpe was regarded as this "monster type" player. He might have been that guy against others but when he played against me I owned him. When I look back on those games or when I come across pictures of past games tons of them are of me sacking the quarterback of the Cards :-). I also have to give kudos to my friend and former teammate Jim Lachey who worked his butt off dealing with LT and I. Lachey was probably the best technical player I worked against.

BBV: You played for 12 years. Michael Strahan has played for 15 and Giants' fans are hoping he makes that 16. Having played the position, are you surprised Strahan can still perform at such a high level?

Marshall: I'm not surprised of Michael Strahan's success nor his ability to play as long as he has.

I think in his case what helps the most is that he plays in a 4-3 defense which is by far different than the 3-4 I worked on. The athletes now are different than the athletes when I played. We had two distinctive players who had the success Michael has. Plus given the fact that free agency plays a major role in a teams ability to achieve instant success in terms of building a stronger and more competitive environment for guys to work in and achieve success. This wasn't as common when Lawrence and I worked for the Giants. Case and point look at the New Giants versus the Old Giants when Tiki Barber was on the team. They achieved success with a platoon backfield due to free agency and the production of new players versus the old days of playing the game with the hand you were dealt in pre season. I'm extremely proud of Michael Strahans success. I have spoken to him several times about his success and happy to see him join this elite fraternal club as Championship New York Giants!

BBV: Charitable work and giving back to the community seem to be a big part of your life now. Can you tell us a little about some of the things you do, or have done, in that area and why that work is important to you?

Marshall: I have always been the type to want to give back. I did this as I turned professional and I haven't stopped. I've jumped in vats of jello to raise money for the Leukemia Society of America. I've donated cash for quarterback sacks to the tune of thousands of dollars. I have worked in as many capacities to assist many in need. Now my direct focus through my work at Seeman Holtz is to assist former NFL Players in "Dire Need". I'm presently working with Harold Henderson (of the NFL Labor Relations Department) and benefits coordinator Valerie Cross to make things happen for my fraternal brothers. It's a shame that once a player falls from grace we tend to dehumanize him. This is wrong as he is just as super human as anyone else who goes to work daily and supports his family while risking his body in the process.

There are so many former NFL players who gave from their hearts to folks in need when they played. I want to help bridge the gap for them. Many need health insurance, dental help for their kids, funds to pay for college for their kids, medical assistance for their families, and psychological care. Not to mention the true elders who need nursing home care due to having life altering illnesses. I hope that one day should I need such help someone is here to pick me up if needed. My foundation is called the "Game Plan" which is a direct partner with the NFL Player Care Fund.