Here is your afternoon practice report.
* No change to the injury report as far as additions, though CB Aaron Ross (ankle) was back at work. As for the injured guys mentioned this morning, I was told that RB Andre Brown has a leg injury while OT William Beatty tweaked his hamstring.
* Eli Manning hit Domenik Hixonon a play action pass over the middle. Hixon ended up beating Rashad Barksdale(who has had a rough mini camp so far, buy the way). I’m noticing that Hixon is doing a very good job of separating from the defenders and I’m very anxious to see if he can continue that in the summer through the preseason.
* Continuing in his struggles, Barksdale tipped a pass thrown by Manning right into the waiting arms of Mario Manningham. It was quite a play actually, as the pass was just a hair short and Barksdale, who had a chance at making the pick, saw the ball bounce off his hands then his foot and right to Manningham, who alertly snatched it and ran.
* Adam Koets had another botched snap, this one on a shotgun. He’s had at least one per practice. Let’s hope that he works this out in time for the summer, especially since he’s being groomed to be the primary backup center. (Tutan Reyes, whom the Giants picked up earlier this month, has yet to take a snap at center so far this camp, though he’d be the fall back plan if Koets isn’t ready.).
* Danny Warelooked unsure of himself on a handoff from David Carr and by hesitating, he ended up being stuffed at the line of scrimmage.
* Dave Tollefson, who is going to have his hands full trying to win a roster spot this summer, beat Reyes for a “sack.” Later on in the practice, Tollefson mixed it up a bit with Darcy Johnsonwhen Johnson dragged the defensive lineman to the ground and an angry Tollefson jumped up and tried to return the favor. The scuffle was quickly broken up, though.
* Not sure what Ahmad Bradshawwas thinking, but he took a handoff and with no one in front of him for at least four yards, he was taking a hop-skip and jump as he was trying to decide what direction to run. He ended up going nowhere as his hesitation cost him a crease that was open and then shut on the right side of the line.
* On a Rhett Bomar pass completion to Derek Hagan, DE Tommie Hill beat OL Terrance Pennington for a “sack.”
* In a seven-on-seven drill, Hixon did a great job finding a soft spot in the zone, for a reception, with Michael Boley the nearest defender. Sinorice Moss might be getting all the attention this camp, but I think Hixon has quietly put together a solid showing.
* Two poor passes in a row thrown by André Woodson, as both just went off the hands of the intended receivers (Derek Hagan and Steve Smith).
* Rhett Bomar took almost four seconds to find an open receiver, finally settling on George Wrighster. In live action, that’s probably a sack, but because there was no defensive line charging at him, he got away with one.
* Heads up play by David Carr to throw away a pass after seeing all his receivers were covered. The closest receiver to the ball was Derek Hagan, who was trying to break free from Aaron Ross.
* Guy Whimper, lining up at right tackle, held off Mathias Kiwanuka’s charge nicely, pushing Kiwi out of harm’s way.
* Interesting note. The Giants quarterbacks rotation for most of the camp has been Manning, Carr, Woodson, and then Bomar. However, on the last 11-on-11 series, Bomar moved ahead of Woodson in the rotation. Might be nothing, might be something.
* Yikes! Terrance Pennington jumped too early and then to boot, he blatantly held the defender.
* Once again the red zone work looked sloppy from an offensive perspective – or maybe I should say that the defense was at the top of its game. You decide Anyway, the only play of note was Madison Hedgecock sealing Justin Tuck so that Danny Ware could get by en route to the end zone. Otherwise, the defense was all over the offense in terms of breaking up passes and stuffing runners.
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I’ve heard that a number of the rookie draft picks are very close on contracts, but nothing official is going to be done until the mini camp concludes at the soonest. however, remember that a number of draft picks don't sign their contracts until they arrive at camp, so while we might hear reports of guys agreeing to terms, nothing is official until the ink is on the dotted lien.
By the way, I think I forgot to mention that when the Giants take the field at training camp, their practice jerseys will sport the Timex logo. It’s all part of the new marketing campaign that comes with Timex’s securing of the naming rights to the team’s facility.
Back tomorrow with the final practice report – tomorrow’s session is a late morning workout scheduled to start at 11 a.m.). I’ll also have clips of interest from the three coordinators and a wrap up on the mini camp.
Meanwhile, I’m going to work now on the longer report for our subscribers, which I hope to have online before dinner or shortly there after.
