Jerry Reese Addresses the Media at NFL Combine: General Manager Jerry Reese addressed the media at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis yesterday. Excerpts of what Reese said are available at NY Giants General Manager Sees Possible ‘Transition Time’ For Offensive Line by Mike Garafolo of The Star-Ledger.
Some of the more interesting quotes:
Reese on DT Chris Canty: “Obviously we expected more, but he was injured most of the season. We’re hopeful he’ll be healthy and come in and be a starter for us and contribute in a big way on our front. He’s a big-bodied guy that can definitely play a three-technique in our defense,” Reese said. “And he can swing and play some of the defensive end stuff. We like interchangeable guys on our front. We thought he could play several positions in our front. But primarily, we think he’s going to be a three technique for us. He’s been in almost every day. He’s been working hard trying to get back. He’s driven to come back and prove that we made the right decision with him. So we expect big things from him.”
Reese on DT Jay Alford: “Jay is an inside pass rusher for us. He’s one of those guys that can penetrate up front. He’s on schedule to be back and we expect him to be a hundred percent going into training camp. It’s unfortunate. He had a great summer last summer and we were expecting big things from him. And he had the injury. We expect him to come back. He’s a hard worker and if anybody can come back from that kind of injury, it’s him.”
Reese on S Kenny Phillips: “Kenny is doing great. He’s on schedule (recovering from knee surgery). There’s no pain right now with his knee. He’s got a great attitude about it. We expect him to come back and be one hundred percent. I don’t think you can put all your eggs in Kenny’s basket right now, because that’s a tough injury he’s coming back from. We’ll try to be prepared if he doesn’t come back a hundred percent.”
Reese on S Michael Johnson: “He has to play better. For a young guy you think is ascending, he has to play better and we expect him to play better.”
Reese on OT William Beatty: “We think Beatty has a left tackle skill set. He played quite a bit for us and did a pretty good job in there for a young player. There will be some competition at that left tackle spot for us. We like competition. We always try to create competition on our roster, so that will be some competition for the left tackle spot. And David can play guard and he can play right tackle. He’s an interchangeable guy and we like those kinds of guys.”
Reese on soon-to-be unrestricted free agents QB David Carr and LB Danny Clark: “There has been some conversation with David Carr. There has not been a lot of conversation with Danny Clark as of right now. But with Carr, there has been some conversation. You’re never confident. We’d like to have him back, for sure. But we have other options if he doesn’t come back.”
Boothe Tendered: The Bergen Record is reporting that soon-to-be restricted free agent OG Kevin Boothe has been tendered. However, it is not known at what level Boothe was tendered at.
Bernard and Johnson Have Offseason Surgery: According to The Star-Ledger, DT Rocky Bernard and CB Bruce Johnson had offseason surgery. Bernard had a torn labrum in his shoulder that apparently was bothering him all of last season. Johnson had surgery on his wrist.
Quotes: Head Coach Tom Coughlin on his team: “I expect us to return to being the kind of defensive football team the New York Giants have always been. We play the game a certain way. We play the game with great balance and with team in mind, with the way we talk about the non-turnover game, running the ball, defending the run. That’s how we play.”