New York Giants Sign DT Jay Alford: The Giants have signed DT Jay Alford, the team’s third-round 2007 NFL Draft choice, to a 4-year contract. Alford is the first of the Giants’ eight draft picks to sign.
Day Two of the New York Giants Veteran Mini-Camp: Yesterday was the second day of the Giants’ three-day veteran mini-camp. The Giants held two practices yesterday. There will be one more today (10:15AM-noon).
Injury Update: DE Michael Strahan (foot), DE Justin Tuck (foot), CB Aaron Ross (head), WR Plaxico Burress (ankle), and WR Amani Toomer (knee) did not practice yesterday.
DE Osi Umenyiora (unknown injury) did not practice in the morning, but practiced in the afternoon.
Regarding Ross, Coughlin said, “He fell down yesterday and banged his head. So it is precautionary. They pulled him out of second half of practice (on Wednesday). (On Thursday) it was just a precautionary measure.”
Article on HB Brandon Jacobs: Giants’ Jacobs Hopes Barber’s Shoes Are a Comfortable Fit by Clifton Brown of The New York Times
Notes and Quotes: QB Eli Manning has not been sharp the first two days of mini-camp (four practices in all). He has thrown quite a few interceptions.
With Strahan, Tuck, and Umenyiora out for the morning practice, William Joseph and Tommy Davis started at defensive end.
CB Sam Madison believes that the defensive backs will be more successful in new Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme because the Giants will be playing more man-to-man coverage. “Definitely,” Madison said. “Because now there’s no indecision of where you’re supposed to be. You have that man in front of you and I have that man in front of me and we go out and play. I really think this defense and this team will make a lot more plays.”
TE Jeremy Shockey on HB Brandon Jacobs: “He’s going to have a chance this year to prove to everybody how great a player he is. He has every tangible possible, he’s huge, he’s fast, he’s smart, he’s a great guy. I know he has a competitive spirit like myself, he’s a talker, he’s not a guy who’s quiet. It’s going to be fun seeing a guy 275 pounds running the ball a lot.”