Gryphon
06-04-2008, 08:49 AM
By Vinny Ditrani / The Record (Hackensack N.J.)
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - David Tyree’s catch in Super Bowl XLII forever guaranteed him a spot in team lore. But it may not have guaranteed him a spot on the 2008 roster.
Yes, as bizarre as it may appear, the man who arguably made the best play in Super Bowl history could be scuffling to make the team this summer - if his knee allows him to scuffle at all. Imagine the furor if the Giants announce they have cut one of their biggest heroes from their incredible championship run.
Yet when the team took the field for its third Organized Team Activity session Tuesday, a host of young receivers lined up behind veteran Amani Toomer - arguably the best player on the field, making three outstanding catches. Steve Smith, whose late-season contributions were key in the title run; Domenik Hixon, the kick returner whose receiving potential remains untapped; Sinorice Moss, the so-far disappointing second-round pick in 2006; and third-round draft pick Mario Manningham all have legitimate shots at making the team.
Also around are Michael Jennings, who was on his way to making the squad last year before popping an Achilles’ tendon in the preseason; D.J. Hall, the free agent who was the star of the rookie minicamp; plus Brandon London and Todd Lowber, members of last season’s practice squad. Throw in Plaxico Burress, one of five players not at Tuesday’s voluntary workout, and the area is well staffed.
So where does all this leave Tyree, whose 32-yard circus reception on the other end of Eli Manning’s great escape will be included in any Super Bowl highlight collection? Right now it leaves him in the trainer’s room, where he is rehabbing a knee injury that required surgery in mid-April.
While details of the injury were not released, the six-year veteran said Tuesday that he probably will not be ready for the start of training camp practices on July 25. He said the knee locked up during the early weeks of the off-season workout program, which could indicate a meniscus problem.
"I’m not really concerned, it’s not that big a deal to me," he said.
However, the injury could be the Giants’ way out of a potential public relations mess. A spot on the Physically Unable to Perform list would allow them to keep Tyree around, and even provide a midseason window to activate him if they need his services. It’s far better than a "What have you done for me lately?" release.
Tyree, however, said he is not worried about his roster spot. "You look at this game for what it is," he said. "They are going to make decisions based upon what they think is best for the football team. Whether I’m on the roster or off the roster, the fifth receiver or the third receiver, they are going to make decisions in the best interest of the football team.
"My job is to go out there and make the plays when I’m given the opportunity. And if you look back at what I’ve done when I was given the opportunity, I showed up. I can’t do any more than that. I have no reason to worry. I’ve been blessed with the ability to prove myself when given the opportunity."
Tyree has a big fan in coach Tom Coughlin, who loves his work ethic and attention to detail. He also has shown, especially in the Super Bowl, that he has good hands - and helmet. And while not the scourge he was in making the team as a sixth-round pick in 2003, he adds stability and leadership to all the special teams’ units.
"I think I’ve always been an asset to this organization and I love being a Giant, that’s what it’s all about," he said.
BRIEFS: The others who did not participate Tuesday, none of them surprises, were TE Jeremy Shockey, DEs Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora and LB Antonio Pierce. ... The team has two more OTAs this week and a final one Monday leading into the June 11-13 mandatory minicamp.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - David Tyree’s catch in Super Bowl XLII forever guaranteed him a spot in team lore. But it may not have guaranteed him a spot on the 2008 roster.
Yes, as bizarre as it may appear, the man who arguably made the best play in Super Bowl history could be scuffling to make the team this summer - if his knee allows him to scuffle at all. Imagine the furor if the Giants announce they have cut one of their biggest heroes from their incredible championship run.
Yet when the team took the field for its third Organized Team Activity session Tuesday, a host of young receivers lined up behind veteran Amani Toomer - arguably the best player on the field, making three outstanding catches. Steve Smith, whose late-season contributions were key in the title run; Domenik Hixon, the kick returner whose receiving potential remains untapped; Sinorice Moss, the so-far disappointing second-round pick in 2006; and third-round draft pick Mario Manningham all have legitimate shots at making the team.
Also around are Michael Jennings, who was on his way to making the squad last year before popping an Achilles’ tendon in the preseason; D.J. Hall, the free agent who was the star of the rookie minicamp; plus Brandon London and Todd Lowber, members of last season’s practice squad. Throw in Plaxico Burress, one of five players not at Tuesday’s voluntary workout, and the area is well staffed.
So where does all this leave Tyree, whose 32-yard circus reception on the other end of Eli Manning’s great escape will be included in any Super Bowl highlight collection? Right now it leaves him in the trainer’s room, where he is rehabbing a knee injury that required surgery in mid-April.
While details of the injury were not released, the six-year veteran said Tuesday that he probably will not be ready for the start of training camp practices on July 25. He said the knee locked up during the early weeks of the off-season workout program, which could indicate a meniscus problem.
"I’m not really concerned, it’s not that big a deal to me," he said.
However, the injury could be the Giants’ way out of a potential public relations mess. A spot on the Physically Unable to Perform list would allow them to keep Tyree around, and even provide a midseason window to activate him if they need his services. It’s far better than a "What have you done for me lately?" release.
Tyree, however, said he is not worried about his roster spot. "You look at this game for what it is," he said. "They are going to make decisions based upon what they think is best for the football team. Whether I’m on the roster or off the roster, the fifth receiver or the third receiver, they are going to make decisions in the best interest of the football team.
"My job is to go out there and make the plays when I’m given the opportunity. And if you look back at what I’ve done when I was given the opportunity, I showed up. I can’t do any more than that. I have no reason to worry. I’ve been blessed with the ability to prove myself when given the opportunity."
Tyree has a big fan in coach Tom Coughlin, who loves his work ethic and attention to detail. He also has shown, especially in the Super Bowl, that he has good hands - and helmet. And while not the scourge he was in making the team as a sixth-round pick in 2003, he adds stability and leadership to all the special teams’ units.
"I think I’ve always been an asset to this organization and I love being a Giant, that’s what it’s all about," he said.
BRIEFS: The others who did not participate Tuesday, none of them surprises, were TE Jeremy Shockey, DEs Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora and LB Antonio Pierce. ... The team has two more OTAs this week and a final one Monday leading into the June 11-13 mandatory minicamp.