5 Things From Giants Camp

Who wheeled into Giants camp this morning with intentions on blogging? Me. OK? Me.

After several moments of caluculations I was able to determine that I've had six blog entries since the NFL Draft. Some might think that a bit lax. Perhaps those some wouldn't understand or appreciate the concept of pacing oneself, then.

Now then, we're working on a story about the Giants mental mindset for defending that we'll be sending in soon. We also have some very interesting comments from Antonio Pierce, Justin Tuck and Grey Ruegamer on the Brett Favre Saga.

But before we get to those, here are 5 things ...

1. There will be coach-to-player communication for the defense this year. Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce was asked how excited he is about this new responsibility ... he ain't.

"I do too much yelling and talking. I already hear people half the time that aren't there, now I literally will. Probably later on this week we'll use it but I'm not looking forward to it. I don't know what it's like. Quarterbacks like Eli (Manning) it's different for them. That's all they know. They got the coach telling them their play. I'm not used to a guy telling me that. I guess it's a comfort level."

2. The tempo of the practices here at SUNY Albany is excellent. Very crisp, very determined, no grabassin' as they say. How do you measure that? The downtime between drills and reps. At other camps I've been to, there's a lot of wandering out of huddles and walking back after downfield plays and guys grabbing drinks. Didn't see any of that.

3. Tom Coughlin said the ankle injury that's kept Plaxico Burress out of the first few days of camp A) is not the same as the one he suffered last season, B) should be healed enough to allow him to play by "midweek" C) can be managed if Burress wears "his orthotics" said Coughlin, and D) sounds like a structural foot condition more than an injury.

4. Rookie receiver Mario Manningham was yanked from practice with tightness in his quad. Veteran quarterback David Carr should get his first practice action tonight.

5. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is spending noticeable 1-on-1 time with rookie safety Kenny Phillips to get the U of M kid up to speed. Matthias Kiwanuka looks great ("That's five good practices in a row," said Coughlin. "You saw him knock that pass away 35 yards downfield with his 27-foot arms?").

The Lombardi Trophy will be on display this evening at practice.