Giants Lose FB Jim Finn for the 2007 Season: The Giants placed FB Jim Finn on season-ending Injured Reserve yesterday with a torn labrum in his right shoulder that required surgery. Finn had surgery on the shoulder on Monday. His rehab is expected to take 4-6 months. Since the Giants were looking to replace Finn during free agency in March when they offered restricted free agent FB Vonta Leach (Texans) a contract and were also interested in FB Ovie Mughelli (Ravens, now Falcons), it appears that the injury may have also ended Finn’s career with the Giants. In fact, Finn’s football career may be over.
“Jimmy obviously wants to continue his career,” said Finn’s agent. “But we’ll have to talk to the doctors to see how much damage was done and if he can play football again.”
Publicly, the Giants are saying Finn injured the shoulder late last month in Organized Team Activity (OTA) practices despite the fact that OTA drills are supposed to be non-contact and there are whispers that Finn’s shoulder has been bothering him for some time. It is the third time that Finn has had surgery on his right shoulder. Finn also suffers from severe arthritis in that shoulder, according to the Giants’ press release.
Robert Douglas is the only fullback on the roster right now. “He’s athletic enough to get out on the edge and do a lot of things,” HB Brandon Jacobs said of Douglas. “He’s most definitely big and strong, so he can go in there and bump heads with anybody.”
New York Giants Three-Day Veteran Mini-Camp Begins: The Giants’ mandatory 3-day veteran mini-camp began yesterday. The end of the mini-camp on Friday also marks the end of the Giants’ off-season program. The veterans will be off until summer training camp begins in Albany on July 27. (The rookies will stay for another week).
There will be two practices today (10:15AM-Noon and 3:00-4:45PM) and one on Friday (10:15AM-Noon).
One of Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s messages to his team was to stop talking so much to the press. “I think, basically, we talk too much,” said Coughlin. “What we would really like to do, and I’ve talked to our team about it, is do our playing on the field, let our playing do our talking for us, not spend so much time trying to explain who we are and where we are. Let’s just play the game. Talk is cheap.”
MLB Antonio Pierce feels that much of the problem had to do with HB Tiki Barber, who retired after last season. “You respect how (Tiki) plays on the field, but at the same time, enough is enough,” said Pierce. “When the shit hit the fan, we needed somebody to chill out a little bit. You can’t keep that going week after week…Tiki’s not here no more. He’s part of the media. He’s a great Giant, we wish him the best in the media. But that was his comments and his views.”
Injury Report: It was revealed yesterday that WR Plaxico Burress had surgery on his left ankle three months ago. He was limited to sideline drills yesterday. “He has an ankle that was cleaned out this offseason,” said Coughlin. “So he is going to be working on the side and in the meetings. But he can’t go…I think Plaxico will be able to go full speed in camp. ”
“I’m not concerned about it,” said Burress. “The progress is good. I’m probably feeling about 90 percent. I could probably go out and do it. But there’s no reason for me to go back there and set myself back now. I want to get it to a hundred percent…I was playing with it for 4-5 years. That lets you know how good I’m going to be this year.”
WR Amani Toomer (knee) did not participate in team drills. “(Toomer) is on track,” said Coughlin. “But again, he is coming off an ACL…Toomer, as I have said before, will probably do one a day.”
DE Michael Strahan (foot) was extremely limited. “We are going to keep (Strahan) with individuals one practice a day,” said Coughlin. “But I’m not going to put him in there. I want him to work with the trainers on the field and get a sense of where he is. ”
“I feel like I can have my best year this year,” Strahan said despite not practicing. “I feel great.”
Strahan will likely be held to one practice per day when training camp begins in Albany. “I expect to do that because I’ve been around so long, not because of the foot,” Strahan said. “My thing is I always practice twice a day every day. But to be honest with you, one time a day is enough. I know what I’m doing at this point. I’ll be in great shape. I’ll be able to run, my strength will be great. I’m just not a spring chicken anymore. That one a day I think will benefit everybody.”
As expected, DE Justin Tuck (foot) did not practice. CB Corey Webster (hip) was limited.
Jessie Armstead Retires a Giant: As previously reported, former Giants’ linebacker Jessie Armstead, who played with the team from 1993-2001, was re-signed yesterday so he could officially retire a New York Giant. Armstead played with the Redskins from 2002-2003 and the Panthers in 2004. Armstead was a five-time Pro Bowl player with the Giants.
“In my blood, I’ve always had New York Giants in it” said Armstead.
Head Coach Tom Coughlin asked Armstead to address the players after the morning practice. “I told them it’s time for the older guys to step up and let the younger guys know that it’s an honor to be a Giant,” Armstead said. “People always tell you the other side is not greener. It’s true. They’re in the best place they can be, and I’m going to let you know to stick to this organization. Don’t go nowhere else.”
Another Report Says the Giants Are Interested in OT Chris Patrick: The Star-Ledger is reporting that the Giants are interested in OT Chris Patrick (Nebraska) who will be available in the upcoming Supplemental Draft. The Giants will be attending Patrick’s workout on Monday.
NFL Network Program on Giants’ Mini-Camp: The NFL Network will air “Inside Giants Mini-Camp” this Friday at 9:00PM with an encore performance at 5:00PM on Saturday. Head Coach Tom Coughlin will wear a microphone during practice sessions.
Notes and Quotes: David Diehl continues to work with the first-team offensive line at left tackle. Guy Whimper is the second-team left tackle. “(Whimper is ) coming along,” said Coughlin. “He’s doing well. We’re just going to keep throwing him out there. He has a lot to make up and he has to do it in a fast amount of time…he has made good progress (on the field).”
With Strahan and Tuck both out, Adrian Awasom continues to start at left defensive end with William Joseph backing him up.
According to press reports, Mathias Kiwanuka looked pretty good at strongside linebacker yesterday. “(Kiwanuka) has worked real hard at this challenge,” said Coughlin. ” And he has been in there on the days when we haven’t worked. He was in there yesterday for a couple of hours. He is trying to catch up on all of the learning and all of the things that could happen for him so he would be comfortable in this new role. Every day is a new challenge for him. But he is starting to get it; starting to look better.”
Interestingly, James Butler was playing with the first-team unit at free safety while Will Demps was playing with the second unit.
According to press reports, WR Sinorice Moss was impressive in the morning practice.
DT Jonas Seawright says he has dropped 40 pounds and now weighs 305 pounds. “I was fat and out of shape (last year),” said Seawright. “I had just had a kid and I didn’t have my mind where it needed to be, so I didn’t get anything done. I barely played.”
Coughlin on CB Aaron Ross: “I see the reason we drafted him, he’s strong, long arms. He’s going against these guys every day now. He’s playing the up position, the press position and the off position. He’s working his way with it. He’s doing well.”
DE Michael Strahan on Coughlin: “I think Coach just has an easier demeanor about him. When you look at him, you don’t get tense. Before he just was a very intense fellow and now his demeanor seems to be a lot easier. You understand what he wants and you’re going to hustle and fly around, but you look at him and you feel like you can go talk to him. Guys enjoy playing for him. I couldn’t always say that, but now guys enjoy playing for him.”