The Day at Camp
This morning’s practice, held in unseasonably cool conditions, was a jog thru, with the Giants doing more scout work in preparation for the Jets, an unexpected change as per Coughlin who said,  “I would have liked to have practiced this morning the way I had scheduled to be, but the reps wouldn’t work out for the number of guys that got one practice.”  

Coughlin said most of the starters will probably play about a half’s worth of action against the Jets, and that they’ll probably chart the number of snaps each guy takes.
 
The kicking competition doesn’t appear to be any closer to being resolved than it was on the first day of camp, this partially due to the lack of work they’ve gotten in games. Coughlin was asked how he can judge the kickers, who have made just two field goals between them (Huston hitting attempts of 50 and 30 yards against Baltimore). The head coach said, “You end up with your kickoff work and what you can create on the practice field. The thing that we need to do is create opportunity for Lawrence (Tynes) to kick field goal distance in the game.”

One thing though is it won’t be a gut decision for the coach. “We’ve got stats on everything that they’ve done every day in practice. It’s just a matter of, I’d like to see it under game circumstances and sometimes you can’t always create that.”

* With summer camp wrapping up tomorrow, there is still no deadline known for Michael Strahan, though reports keep swirling that the defensive end will be in early next week, if not by Saturday night in time for the Jets game (though he obviously wouldn’t play if he does come in).

Coughlin said that Strahan would need to spend some time in camp if he decides to come in, though it should be noted here that although camp in Albany is wrapping up, the Giants will actually continue camp in the next week and a half at Giants Stadium, right up until the final roster cuts are made.

Coughlin was asked just how much work Strahan would need to be ready in time for the season opener against Dallas. “If and when he comes in, we’ll have to deal with that. To sit here and say at this point in time, to speculate on what he needs, doesn’t make any sense to me. The longer he goes when he comes into camp, the decision will have to be made what it’s going to take to get him ready to go.”

* The Giants made another roster move today, waiving RB Decori Birmingham, who didn't get a touch this summer.

Who’s Hot

LB Mathias Kiwanuka. Looking especially active on the rush, Kiwi zipped into the backfield to blow up a Brandon Jacobs running play and also managed to get penetration on a handful of other plays..

The Place kickers. This battle is definitely going down to the wire, folks as both Lawrence Tynes and Josh Huston made all of their attempts this evening.

Who's Not
The starting DBs. Let's see, there was a dropped interception by R.W. McQuarters, Corey Webster (who was taking the injured Sam Madison's reps).

Michael Matthews. After putting together a strong case for a roster spot against Baltimore, Matthews screwed up not once, but three times, the first two when he missed blocks (which drew angry words form head coach Tom coughlin). To add insult to injury, he dropped a pass that was right in his hands. 

Quote-worthy
“It's over in my eyes. I don't want to make it a bigger deal.”

—QB Eli Manning on the mini war of words with former teammate Tiki Barber

Medical Watch

Some good news of sorts as tight end Jeremy Shockey (hamstring) did do some light work this evening, though not the team portion of the practice. Shockey will not play Saturday against the Jets.

Completely inactive were Sinorice Moss (ankle), linebacker Gerris Wilkinson (knee), OL Grey Ruegamer and Todd Londot, CB Sam Madison, safeties Will Demps and Michael Stone (hip), DE Jonas Seawright (concussion), LS Ryan Kuehl (calf/Achilles, punter Jeff Feagles (sore back), receiver Amani Toomer (ankle), running back Derrick Ward (ankle), and quarterback Jared Lorenzen (concussion). Lorenzen, remember, took a whack to the head Sunday against Baltimore and probably developed some post-concussion symptoms.

Up Next

The Giants wrap up their 2007 Summer Camp with a single workout beginning at 10:55 a.m.

See Also

• Head Coach Tom Coughlin's Media Session Transcript
• Player Perspective: QB Anthony Wright 

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