Banger
Footballguy
GIANTS GM TALKS TOUGH
RIPS PETITGOUT AS 'MARGINAL PLAYER'
By PAUL SCHWARTZ
July 26, 2007 -- Not many years ago, the Giants hit training camp determined to blunt the swirl of optimism surrounding a team characterized as a true contender loaded with talent.
That surely will not be the case tomorrow when players report to the University at Albany. The Giants aren't anyone's darlings.
Jerry Reese likes it better this way.
"I have things to prove," the first-year general manager told The Post. "The coach has something to prove. The quarterback has something to prove, as well as the running back. That gives you a little bit of an edge. A couple of years ago everyone was reading the press clippings. Now people are saying the Giants didn't do enough in the offseason. People are picking us probably third in the NFC East. That motivates me. That should motivate some people."
So devalued are the Giants in some circles there's a fairly widespread notion that Reese has set up head coach Tom Coughlin for failure with less-than-robust maneuverings in free agency since replacing Ernie Accorsi. Coughlin was not hired by Reese, and doesn't every GM want his own coach in place?
"That's insane," Reese shot back. "That's silly. I'll be very disappointed if we don't win, and win big."
Reese scoffed at the suggestion that left tackle is a major question mark heading into camp, insisting that at the very least, guard-turned-left tackle David Diehl will perform at least as effectively as long-time starter Luke Petitgout, whom Reese jettisoned soon after taking over (Petitgout signed with the Buccaneers). Reese also hasn't given up hope that Guy Whimper remains a left-tackle prospect.
"People are so worried about left tackle . . . I think that's so overrated," Reese said. "People act like Petitgout was the second coming. He never made the Pro Bowl, and I don't think he ever was a first alternate. Now all of a sudden he's the savior? That's ridiculous. I don't think we're that bad off without Luke Petitgout. He was not a star left tackle. He was a solid left tackle on some occasions and other times he wasn't. Luke has been a marginal player for a long time."
Tops on Reese's list of concerns is not left tackle, replacing RB Tiki Barber, or the continued development of QB Eli Manning.
"The secondary is the most glaring spot for me," Reese said.
As far as camp attendance, Reese said he's heard the rumblings that DE Michael Strahan is considering a holdout "ever since Michael and I had our first meeting when I first got hired as GM." Strahan, coming off a serious foot injury, is scheduled to make $4 million this season and $4 million in 2008. The Giants have absolutely no interest in giving the veteran defensive end more money, despite Strahan's plea that in today's inflated market he is underpaid.
"It's really kind of silly," Reese said. "How does that help him if he holds out? I expect Michael to be at camp."
*
Backup strong safety Jason Bell was placed on season-ending injured reserve with a back injury he aggravated during the offseason conditioning program. Earlier, FB Jim Finn (shoulder) was put on IR.
RIPS PETITGOUT AS 'MARGINAL PLAYER'
By PAUL SCHWARTZ
July 26, 2007 -- Not many years ago, the Giants hit training camp determined to blunt the swirl of optimism surrounding a team characterized as a true contender loaded with talent.
That surely will not be the case tomorrow when players report to the University at Albany. The Giants aren't anyone's darlings.
Jerry Reese likes it better this way.
"I have things to prove," the first-year general manager told The Post. "The coach has something to prove. The quarterback has something to prove, as well as the running back. That gives you a little bit of an edge. A couple of years ago everyone was reading the press clippings. Now people are saying the Giants didn't do enough in the offseason. People are picking us probably third in the NFC East. That motivates me. That should motivate some people."
So devalued are the Giants in some circles there's a fairly widespread notion that Reese has set up head coach Tom Coughlin for failure with less-than-robust maneuverings in free agency since replacing Ernie Accorsi. Coughlin was not hired by Reese, and doesn't every GM want his own coach in place?
"That's insane," Reese shot back. "That's silly. I'll be very disappointed if we don't win, and win big."
Reese scoffed at the suggestion that left tackle is a major question mark heading into camp, insisting that at the very least, guard-turned-left tackle David Diehl will perform at least as effectively as long-time starter Luke Petitgout, whom Reese jettisoned soon after taking over (Petitgout signed with the Buccaneers). Reese also hasn't given up hope that Guy Whimper remains a left-tackle prospect.
"People are so worried about left tackle . . . I think that's so overrated," Reese said. "People act like Petitgout was the second coming. He never made the Pro Bowl, and I don't think he ever was a first alternate. Now all of a sudden he's the savior? That's ridiculous. I don't think we're that bad off without Luke Petitgout. He was not a star left tackle. He was a solid left tackle on some occasions and other times he wasn't. Luke has been a marginal player for a long time."
Tops on Reese's list of concerns is not left tackle, replacing RB Tiki Barber, or the continued development of QB Eli Manning.
"The secondary is the most glaring spot for me," Reese said.
As far as camp attendance, Reese said he's heard the rumblings that DE Michael Strahan is considering a holdout "ever since Michael and I had our first meeting when I first got hired as GM." Strahan, coming off a serious foot injury, is scheduled to make $4 million this season and $4 million in 2008. The Giants have absolutely no interest in giving the veteran defensive end more money, despite Strahan's plea that in today's inflated market he is underpaid.
"It's really kind of silly," Reese said. "How does that help him if he holds out? I expect Michael to be at camp."
*
Backup strong safety Jason Bell was placed on season-ending injured reserve with a back injury he aggravated during the offseason conditioning program. Earlier, FB Jim Finn (shoulder) was put on IR.
