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Michael Strahan returns to Giants' facility, but avoids media
BY RALPH VACCHIANO
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
Tuesday, September 4th 2007, 4:00 AM
There were television cameras and photographers crowded around Michael Strahan's corner locker yesterday and several reporters staked him out in the parking lot.
"It's like he's some kind of rock star," said defensive end Osi Umenyiora. "It's crazy."
The craziness, though, is finally at an end.
Strahan made his long-awaited arrival at Giants Stadium yesterday afternoon, avoiding the media and going straight to the Giants' front office to end his holdout after 38 days. He'll be on the practice field this morning, according to GM Jerry Reese, and is even expected to face the press when he's done.
Strahan was originally expected at the stadium yesterday morning, but he missed the early lifting and conditioning session and an 11 a.m. player benefits meeting. The delay apparently had to do with getting NFLPA approval for the reduction of his $542,944 fine, which the Giants were believed to be willing to cut in half.
Once he finally arrived, a little before 4 p.m., the 35-year-old defensive end spent about 45 minutes in the Giants' offices "taking care of some paperwork," according to Reese. He also spent about 10 minutes in private meetings with Reese and Tom Coughlin.
Asked on his way out of the stadium if he felt he needed to smooth things over with Strahan, Reese said "No. It's all behind us. We're moving forward. We have to get ready to play the Cowboys."
"Michael came in this afternoon and we had a good conversation," Coughlin said in a statement released by the team. "He wants to be here and he wants to play and it was obvious to me he wants to get to work and be part of this team.
"We will take the next day or so to assess where Michael is in terms of his conditioning. He has always taken tremendous care of himself. We'll see where he is and as the week progresses, we'll evaluate what kind of role he may play this week."
According to Reese, the Giants requested and were granted a two-game roster exemption for Strahan, which will allow them to carry 54 players - one over the league limit - until Strahan is ready. Once he's ready, the Giants must lift the exemption and remove one player before Strahan can play in a game.
Most of his teammates believe Strahan will be ready for Sunday night in Dallas. However, no one knows for sure how the right foot he sprained last season has healed. It's also unclear how quickly he'll pick up new coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's defense. It's likely he'll have to split time in Dallas with Justin Tuck.
"He's been doing it for 14 years, I think he'll be OK," said Umenyiora. "He just has to get mentally sharp, but he'll be OK physically."
"He's had a decade and change of NFL practices," added linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka. "I understand it takes a lot to get ready for a football game, but if anybody can do it, it'll be him."
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/f...michael_strahan_returns_to_giants_facili.html
BY RALPH VACCHIANO
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
Tuesday, September 4th 2007, 4:00 AM
There were television cameras and photographers crowded around Michael Strahan's corner locker yesterday and several reporters staked him out in the parking lot.
"It's like he's some kind of rock star," said defensive end Osi Umenyiora. "It's crazy."
The craziness, though, is finally at an end.
Strahan made his long-awaited arrival at Giants Stadium yesterday afternoon, avoiding the media and going straight to the Giants' front office to end his holdout after 38 days. He'll be on the practice field this morning, according to GM Jerry Reese, and is even expected to face the press when he's done.
Strahan was originally expected at the stadium yesterday morning, but he missed the early lifting and conditioning session and an 11 a.m. player benefits meeting. The delay apparently had to do with getting NFLPA approval for the reduction of his $542,944 fine, which the Giants were believed to be willing to cut in half.
Once he finally arrived, a little before 4 p.m., the 35-year-old defensive end spent about 45 minutes in the Giants' offices "taking care of some paperwork," according to Reese. He also spent about 10 minutes in private meetings with Reese and Tom Coughlin.
Asked on his way out of the stadium if he felt he needed to smooth things over with Strahan, Reese said "No. It's all behind us. We're moving forward. We have to get ready to play the Cowboys."
"Michael came in this afternoon and we had a good conversation," Coughlin said in a statement released by the team. "He wants to be here and he wants to play and it was obvious to me he wants to get to work and be part of this team.
"We will take the next day or so to assess where Michael is in terms of his conditioning. He has always taken tremendous care of himself. We'll see where he is and as the week progresses, we'll evaluate what kind of role he may play this week."
According to Reese, the Giants requested and were granted a two-game roster exemption for Strahan, which will allow them to carry 54 players - one over the league limit - until Strahan is ready. Once he's ready, the Giants must lift the exemption and remove one player before Strahan can play in a game.
Most of his teammates believe Strahan will be ready for Sunday night in Dallas. However, no one knows for sure how the right foot he sprained last season has healed. It's also unclear how quickly he'll pick up new coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's defense. It's likely he'll have to split time in Dallas with Justin Tuck.
"He's been doing it for 14 years, I think he'll be OK," said Umenyiora. "He just has to get mentally sharp, but he'll be OK physically."
"He's had a decade and change of NFL practices," added linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka. "I understand it takes a lot to get ready for a football game, but if anybody can do it, it'll be him."
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/f...michael_strahan_returns_to_giants_facili.html
