New York Giants News And Notes: Tuesday Off Day Edition

Good morning, New York Giants fans! The Giants' players are off today, a CBA-mandated day without practice. We are never off here at Big Blue View, however, so here is today's notebook.

The Day at Camp: July 30, 2012 | Inside Football
MUSINGS: Everyone is obviously hoping for the best with Terrell Thomas’s knee, but if the unthinkable should happen, it’s going to have significant repercussions in the defensive secondary. Prince Amukamara, will have to slide into Thomas’s starting spot — Thomas, remember, has traditionally played against the slot receiver in the nickel. Meanwhile Antrel Rolle, who finally was able to shed the nickel back job this year, would likely go back there at least until third-round pick Jayron Hosley was ready for that duty. And if Rolle does go to the nickel, that likely means Tyler Sash gets the nod as the safety alongside of Kenny Phillips.

That’s a lot of shuffling around to do in so little time. And that’s a scary thought given how the defense was finally starting to round into its own this early in camp.

NY Giants' Osi Umenyiora can't be defensive about wanting to cash in - NY Daily News
Terrell Thomas once seemed to almost have it all. He was on his way to being a Pro Bowl player. He was getting ready to open talks on a lucrative new contract. He was on a team that a few months later would win him a Super Bowl ring.

Jets Training Camp 2012: Mark Sanchez Discusses Eli Manning's Success - SB Nation New York
Mark Sanchez compared himself to Eli Manning on Tuesday. Sanchez is entering his fourth season with the Jets, the same season in his career that Manning won his first Super Bowl with the Giants.

Dallas Cowboys owner has words for New York Giants - NFL.com
Via NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Jones promised the Cowboys crowd he was looking forward to "beating the Giants' ass" this season.

Coughlin Knows Giants Will Get Better - ESPN Video - ESPN
ESPN Video: Giants training camp has begun in Albany, NY and head coach Tom Coughlin is looking to challenge his players into getting better.

From the Transcripts

"You think I simplified things last year guys? That was good for you guys to hear but we got more complicated more than we simplified. I think what we did was we listened and we heard each other, and I simplified a few things just from a call standpoint, but as we entered the playoffs we became more complex."

-- Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell discussing the defensive improvements late last season

"I would say I'm all the way back. MRIs show it. I'm pretty healthy, but it's something they say I definitely have to maintain throughout my career. So I'm always rehabbing and just trying to get stronger."

-- Kenny Phillips on his arthritic knee

"I’ve never been one to focus on a contract situation when I’m actually out there on the football field, so I played for pride and I play for my teammates and for this coaching staff, and I think that is going to be the exact same. Now that I got a contract, when I stepped out there on the football field it was going to be the same thing."

-- Osi Umenyiora on his contract