July 28, 2006 New York Giants Injury Report: WR Tim Carter (knee) and LB LaVar Arrington (Achilles) both practiced yesterday.
DT Jonas Seawright missed the afternoon practice due to illness.
Head Coach Tom Coughlin said he expected FS James Butler (kidney) to be cleared for practice yesterday, but the medical staff is still holding him back. There is still no word on the nature of the kidney condition.
OG/OT Lewis Kelly (foot) is still on the Physically Unable to Perform List.
Fred Robbins Starting at Nose Tackle: Fred Robbins, not Jonas Seawright, was starting at the 1-technique or nose tackle spot yesterday at training camp. Last season, Robbins has played the 3-technique position behind William Joseph.
“First string is better than anything,” said Robbins, who was a regular starter in 2004 after being surpassed on the depth chart in 2005. “I worked hard in the offseason and I have to continue to do the good work. It’s a good thing to be out there with the first team again. I want to continue doing good things so I can stay there.”
“It’s a much different feeling (now),” Robbins said. “Last year was frustrating. I had been a starter and then to go down to the (third team) all through camp (was tough). Things happen sometime. Last year is last year. This is a new year for me. Hopefully, I’ll come out strong this year.”
Robbins dropped 15 pounds this offseason and reported to camp at 315 pounds. “I did a little extra conditioning, lifting weights and toning my body up,” Robbins said. “I got my body in better condition than I have been in the past. That’s one thing that helped me out. I can move a little better and last a little longer.”
When asked about playing the nose tackle position, Robbins replied, “It’s a rough job. You have to get down there and grit and grind and do it. It’s going to be a tough position, but we can do it. I feel comfortable at the nose. My first four years in the league at Minnesota was at the nose. It’s a good switch and I feel comfortable at it. It’s not something that’s new to me. I just have to get back into the swing of things. I’ve played it at times since I’ve been here. Now it’s a full-time job and I’m ready for it At nose tackle, you’re going to get double-teamed, but you’ve still got some room to move around. But you’ve always got to play hard I’m confident. I know what I can do.”
Giants Re-Sign Sir Henry Anderson: The Giants have officially re-signed undrafted rookie free agent DT Sir Henry Anderson (Oregon State). The Giants originally signed Anderson on May 13 after the 2006 NFL Draft, but then waived him on July 6th. With DT Junior Ioane failing to report to training camp yesterday, another body at the position was needed.
Asked why Ioane did not report to camp, Head Coach Tom Coughlin responded, “I’d like to know myself.”
Article on QB Eli Manning: Manning Eager After Study Sessions (Two Pages) by Ryan O’Halloran of The Washington Times
Article on LB LaVar Arrington: Arrington Happy to Put Redskins in Past (Two Pages) by Ryan O’Halloran of The Washington Times
Article on HB Tiki Barber: As Camp Begins, End is in Sight for Barber by John Branch of The New York Times
Quotes: LB LaVar Arrington on the positive reception he has received from Giants’ fans in Albany: “There is a saying that says: ‘Real recognizes real.’ I think it was great. I recognize that they’re really good fans. They recognize that I’m really about them. It was good. It was good. I was fortunate enough to have a great love affair with the fans in Washington and have the opportunity to start building that type of relationship with Giants fans. That’s a great start. It felt really good to be received like that. It was good.”
QB Eli Manning on WR Tim Carter: “Tim had a good day today (yesterday at practice). He caught a couple long balls and he had some comebacks and some in-routes. So, he had an impressive day If he can have a good camp and come in here, he’s got all the ability. He can run. That’s great. He can run by people and then DB’s get scared and then you can go underneath them. So, if he can stay healthy, he needs to have a good camp for us. He can make some big plays for us in the season.”
OC Shaun O’Hara on QB Eli Manning: “This is Eli’s third year; I feel like he’s getting a better grasp of everything. He’s already been more vocal. I just feel like he’s got more of a huddle presence, a little more command of everything that’s going on. His progression has been perfect. Because we’ve got (all the offensive starters) back, we’re going to get so much more done because we won’t have to backtrack at all.”