Chicago Bears Scouting Director Greg Gabriel Interviews with Giants: According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Bears’ College Scouting Director Greg Gabriel will be interviewed by the Giants on Wednesday for the Giants’ director of player personnel vacancy. The paper says Gabriel is believed to be the most experienced of the five candidates the Giants will interview. Gabriel actually worked in the Giants’ scouting department for 16 years, starting in 1985, before he went onto work for the Bears in 2001.
Rookie Mini-Camp Ends: The Giants’ three-day rookie mini-camp ended yesterday. In addition to the 51 players who participated in practices on Saturday (see “News and Notes” from last Sunday), two other players were invited to participate to practice on a tryout basis on Monday: WR Willie Idlette (Wake Forest) and WR Tyrone Timmons (Mississippi Valley State).
Coughlin did indicate that the Giants would like to sign some of the 23 tryout players who were invited to the mini-camp (this is in addition to the 13 rookie free agents who were signed immediately after the NFL Draft). He also said that the Giants are not interested in signing any of the three tryout quarterbacks: John Stocco (Wisconsin), Anton Clarkson (Hofstra), and Andy Collins (Occidental).
OTA’s Begin Next Week: We incorrectly reported yesterday that Organized Team Activity (OTA) days begin today. They actually will be begin next week. The 2007 draft picks and signed rookie free agents will join the veterans today in the offseason program. LB Zak DeOssie will miss some time as he is still finishing up some final exams at Brown.
The Bergen Record and The New York Post are reporting that TE Jeremy Shockey, who has missed all of the offseason program to date, has supposedly been seen in the area and may show up as early as today to begin working with QB Eli Manning.
PK Josh Huston Undergoes Surgery: PK Josh Huston, who is most likely the favorite to win the Giants’ place-kicking job, did not practice at mini-camp this week as he underwent laparoscopic surgery last week when he was diagnosed with appendicitis. He is expected to be fine by the time training camp starts in July.
Article on the Giants Kicking Situation: Giants’ Kicking Hopes Rest on Untested Legs by John Branch of The New York Times
Editorial on TE Jeremy Shockey: Shockey’s Talk is Cheap by Kevin Gleason of the Times Herald-Record