8/21 Daily Roundup

First, my notes from last Thursday’s encouraging preseason game against the Chiefs.
Joe McDonald of NYSportsday.com on Tim Carter’s outstanding, healthy start to 2006. Carter is such an exciting player.
Subject of the day: Carlos Emmons, and the neck burner that has kept him out of action and puts him in danger of being cut.
Arthur Staple’s article doesn’t say this or even imply this, but it points out that Brandon Short (who played for the first time last Thursday), Chase Blackburn, Gerris Wilkinson, and rookie free agent Tyson Smith are cheap, healthy options at weakside linebacker. Staple points out that Barrett Green was in the same spot last year as Emmons is this year: a veteran linebacker who was penciled into start but just couldn’t stay on the field.
Ernie Palladino’s article goes a bit further. “We’ve been thinking,” it quotes Colonel Tom as saying about the linebacker-roster situation. Considering that Emmons was originally penciled in as a no-brainer on the roster, the coaching staff’s putting their heads together doesn’t bode well for him.
Vinny DiTrani, on the other hand, is more optimistic on Emmons’s status.
Personally, I don’t especially care for Emmons large cap figure or his nagging injuries. Emmons hopes to play Friday against the Jets, and will definitely be ready for opening day. The question is whether he will have a place on the field.
The battle for the backup Quarterback roster spots is still very “competitive,” according to Colonel Tom. Despite Rob Johnson’s shaky performance last Thursday, Coughlin seems to really like this guy.
Sinorice Moss’s strained quad continues to be a source of frustration. With Carter having the camp he’s having, this isn’t terrible news for Giants fans, but it’s never good when a rookie gets so far behind.
Mike Garafolo profiles E.J. Underwood, who transferred from Ohio State to tiny Pikesville College, an NAIA school. Underwood has impressed the coaches thus far in camp and is working with the first-team dime defense. Also in the article, Grey Ruegamer is working at center with the first team with both Shaun O’Hara (knee sprain) and Rich Seubert (turf toe) sidelined. Seubert is expected back sooner than O’Hara, and will step in with the first team.
Garafolo on the courting of LaVar Arrington, and the bond between Antonio Pierce and LaVar. Apparently, Ernie Accorsi, Team Treasurer Tom Tisch, Coughlin, Pierce, and LaVar had a sit-down at Smith & Wollensky’s. Pierce and LaVar are apparently good friends, with LaVar being the out-there clown and Pierce being the straight man.
John Branch does a “30 Seconds with LaVar Arrington.” The guy’s a character.
Kind of buried in this Garafolo article is a “Buckner Update,” which says that the Giants are waiting until after Friday’s game to determine if they will extend an offer to the free agent defensive tackle. William Joseph and Fred Robbins are clearly still playing for their jobs.
Mathias Kiwanuka is a quiet, serious guy but he’s loosening up, writes Garafolo.
Colonel Tom cancelled tomorrow’s morning practice. A good sign: the men are working hard. Also, somewhat forgotten because of Kiwanuka’s emergence is the fact that Justin Tuck has impressed.
Jay Feely’s has subtle leadership qualities, writes Arthur Staple. He’s also a die-hard Republican. Interestingly, he and liberal Brandon Short have cultivated a relationship around their political differences. Short, LaVar, and Feely room together in Albany.
Fox Sports/Football Outsiders has the Giants special teams ranked 3rd in the NFL. We’ve come a long way since the days of Trey Junkin. Here are my articles on the return game, the punter, and the kicker.

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