Tue 22 Aug 2006
- First, my comments on last Thursday’s encouraging preseason game against Kansas City.
- Arthur Staple writes that Kevin Gilbride is working with Eli to improve his completion percentage. Even though the Giants led the league in yards per completion last year, Eli’s 53% percentage clearly needs improvement. They’re working on having him check down from his first option and throwing more short passes. This makes sense: With the weapons the Giants have, somebody should be open. In the game against the Chiefs, Eli was 8 for 11, and two of those incompletions were dropped passes. A good sign.
- Everyone seems to feel that Eli’s looking really good and has worked really hard, writes Bill Pennington.
- Paul Schwartz and Ralph Vacchiano write about Eli’s progress as well. Clearly, this is the big story of the day. This is good.
- Another recurring story is Tom’s addressing of his own gruff demeanor. He freely admits that he’s not a player’s coach, but insists that he’s a decent guy who wants the best for his players. I tend to agree with him. This is football, a hard game for hard men.
- Colonel Tom loves a Shockey, and said that “You wouldn’t want him any other way.” Remember that story a couple of weeks ago about Shockey calling Coughlin an ass? Well that blew over, as you knew it would. Shockey had a great year last year despite battling injuries. Let’s hope he stays healthy this year.
- Also, Tom expects great things from LaVar – who, disconcertingly, was forced to leave practice with swelling in his knee – still doesn’t really get along with Plaxico, and has been pleased with Michael Jennings.
- More and Coughlin and Plax, via Mike Garafolo. If the Giants win, the fact that they’re not best buddies will not be an issue.
- FoxSports on Michael Jennings’ impressive preseason. They hint that Jennings might free Chad Morton up to be traded, possibly to San Diego for a Defensive Tackle. There have also been rumors of Morton being traded for Donnie Edwards. Personally, I like and trust Morton, and don’t think it would be wise to part ways with him – he’s savvy, consistent, and back to 100% health this year. Here’s my article on the return game, which was written before the emergence of Jennings.
- Adam Streicher of Giants.com on Grey Ruegamer, who in the absence of Shaun O’Hara (knee sprain) and Rich Seubert (turf toe), is getting first team reps at Center. Between Reugamer and Seubert, we have good depth at guard and center. Whitfield gives us some depth at tackle, which, judging by Petitgout’s continued back problems, we’ll need. Guy Whimper played well against the Chiefs last Thursday, so hopefully he can provide some solid depth at tackle as well.
- No new news on the Buckner/Jackson front. Whatever happens will depend on the performance of Joseph, Robbins, and Cofield from here on out. I haven’t heard much about Jonas Seawright. Does this mean that he’s had a disappointing camp?