NFL-Giants: NY Giants football news

Vinny DiTriani recaps the competitions to watch while the Giants are in camp. Most of the question marks involvingstarters are on the defensive side.

“I want to see these free agent corners in pads,” added Coughlin, referring to Ahmad Treaudo, Michael Bragg and Antwain Spann, all of whom did something to catch his eye in the off-season workouts….

Fred Robbins and former Steeler Kendrick Clancy are the starting defensive tackles heading into camp, but disappointing former first-round draft pick William Joseph as well as Kenderick Allen and Damane Duckett are looking to grab playing time. While Michael Strahan, back from his season-ending torn pectoral muscle, and Osi Umenyiora are set as the starting ends, the only backups are rookie draft picks Justin Tuck and Eric Moore.

There are two potential starting jobs in flux, but both are dependent upon players coming back from injuries.

Barrett Green’s recovery from off-season knee surgery could give Nick Greisen the opportunity to show he should get some playing time at weak-side linebacker. And if Shaun Williams continues his comeback from two years all but lost to injuries, he could earn a safety spot next to Gibril Wilson and at the expense of veteran Brent Alexander.

Arthur staple adds that Webster may be performing well enough to push the wills:

The only moves left are to get unsigned draft picks Corey Webster and Justin Tuck into the fold. Both can fit into important spots on the defense. Tuck, along with just-signed pick Eric Moore, would be the lone backups at defensive end to the recovering Strahan and Osi Umenyiora. And Webster, who dazzled the staff in the June minicamp, could push cornerback starters Will Allen and Will Peterson for playing time.

While it seems unlikely that a rookie can displace even will Allen (who is flawed but not unskilled or inexperienced), it is nice to think that the giants have your CB talent considering how much it can cost to resign a veteran like Will Allen (though the big bucks seem to go to guys who can catch).

The NFL season is approaching and if you’re like me, finding NFL game tickets is difficult for you. I am a Patriots fan and have wanted to go to a game every season I can remember, but there are never any tickets available. I finally went last year because a freind had an extra ticket. But I didn’t know you could buy tickets online then. I assumed there weren’t any because the Pats have been sold out for years. Season tickets has a very long list. But there are lots of places online that have NFL tickets to all games. I recommend going to a few, comparing prices, and buying them early. The longer you wait, the good-priced tickets are harder to come by and you have to pay a huge amount to get a ticket. But if you start looking now, a month and a half before the season starts, you’re sure to find some good deals online. Here’s one place to check out:
http://www.BestShowTicketsLasVegas.com/NFL.asp

A few articles have been popping up about the Giants QB lately. The first one is from The Star Ledger and doesn’t have much football info – just a few quotes from Eli and Peyton about family life. The Daily News has a little bit more about football but nothing new. Just Peyton saying Eli will do better his second year.

Then there’s The New York Post, which of course now requires log in with an article barely worth the effort of logging in. Bob Glauber at Newsday is most optimistic:

It is a season filled with possibilities; the Giants could be one of those come-from-out-of-nowhere teams you see every year. There are no expectations after last season’s 6-10 debacle, but there is enough talent that a playoff run is not a ridiculous idea. Especially if Manning demonstrates the improvement he’s capable of showing.

I agree that a wild card spot is not impossible given how weak the NFC was last season and the Giants on paper improvements.

This article on Eli is positive but general covering topics from the McDougle hit to Peyton’s second season to increasing leadership.

Jared Lorenzen has lost 45 pounds but it’s unlikely that this will be enough to displace Jesse Palmer or Tim Hasselbeck.

This Giants.com article on the offensive line notes that unlike the Ian Allen days, the Giants have 9 guys who can play on the offensive line. This is counting Seubert who seems to be receovering. The article is worth reading for the info on Seubert alone.