Kirwan and Cross are there.
Talking to Tyree right now.
Kirwan said he's been very impressed with Anthony Wright. Says he looks like he could "keep the team afloat" for a month if he needed to.
Kirwan then RAVING about Kenny Phillips. Is blown away by his range. Tyree agreed. They were almost giggling about it.
David Tyree on now...
Tim Ryan has referred to Tyree as 'dog' and 'daddy o'
Still working on getting his knee back
Talks about how its a nice motivation for them that everyone is picking Dallas again.
Team is fueled by playing the underdog role again
Coughlin has not softened up, has become wise
All three are impressed so far by Anthony Wright
Amani Toomer with the high white socks; he never slows down; very polished, technique-oriented
Pat Kirwan is raving about Kenny Phillips' range. Tyree agrees
Tim Ryan "Eli is most unfairly criticized QB in football". Tyree - Eli is on fire. He's comfortable, polished.
Kirwan brings up Shockey, "Good player, gave his dimension"; Tyree says we can shut-down the Shockey talk. Time to move on, Boss is more than capable. A good fit for the offense.
That's all for Tyree.
Again mentioned Kenny Phillips: Will be in starting lineup soon. (Says probably will replace James Butler.) He can make it look like the sideline is available to the QB, when it isn't. Incredible range.
Overall, what he saw on D in the AM:
Blitzes are synched up well. Coming from all angles. A lot of variety, everything looks sound and smooth.
Lots of blitzing on the first day. 10 fire-zone blitzes.
Good timing, rhythm, and variety from the defense.
Kenny Phillips - not in starting lineup yet, but will be soon. They love his range. Great ability to tease the QB to throw the ball outside, then to use his speed to get to the ball. Phillips is a definite upgrade. Phillips has no problem with the mental aspect.
They like Tuck inside on passing downs, with Kiwanuka lined up at DE. They like Tuck's athletic ability. Can Kiwanuka adjust to different offensive packages (3 wide, etc)? That is the question with him.
On Clark, Kirwan says he's good read/react, but he'll struggle in space. Giants are dissappointed in Wilkinson.
Says Manningham dropped a TD this AM.
Both think Moss is odd man out. Manningham dropped a TD today. Expect Smith's role to expand, as many here on BBI do. More 3 wide formations.
Eli Manning is on the Tom Brady program. Develops his body more and more each year. Looks stronger. Good ball velocity. Tight spirals this morning.
Says Boss has "a gigantic strike zone". QB-friendly.
Comfort level with Boss.
Reese: He can get over the top really quick. Range. Size. Smart. They expect him to be a really good football player for them, for a long time. They really like him.
Kirwan says no one knew how hurt Cofield was at the end of the year. "Was playing on pure guts." Reese agreed. They didn't clarify.
Kiwi to DE: If there's an injury, he can go back full-time. But coaches like his versatility at OLB.
On Sinorice Moss: Likes guys with something to prove. Moss does. They are looking for big plays. Expect him to grow.
Kirwan said he ran a picture perfect out-and-up, ROASTED Aaron Ross, and dropped the bomb.
Reese says he needs to "get that little voice out of his head" when he's on the field, telling him to score a TD every play. "Relax, let the game come to you."
His knee is killing him. He's bugging the trainers to play. They are telling him to wait 1 week.
They think his speed and activity adds a lot to the defense.
Nickel defense:
Osi RE
Tuck inside
Alford inside
Kiwi LE
Pierce LB
Wilkinson LB
Dockery the nickel
Ross and Webster CB
Johnson S ("He's gonna be a good football player, remember that name.")
Butler or Phillips
(Interesting that Dockery is the #3 CB right now, I wouldn't have guessed that.)
Seriously. He's a good dude, knows he's old, got his ring... but now a backup?
Hixon is that 4th WR right now.
Kirwan: Woodson fixed his delivery from what they saw at the Senior Bowl.
One of the vet CBs is getting cut if Terrell Thomas shows up.
Cross on Tuck: "Wow. Physically, wow!!"
Best Athlete on Team:
Kirwan: Osi Umenyiora
lurker...too afraid to post...
Stabs the guard and drops into the hook zone. Deadly weapon, hard to see as a QB is trained to look downfield. Is athletic enough to play some man, too.
Very rare skillset, rare athlete.
On TT and KP:
Phillips is a real rangy S. His S break is great. Can get from the middle 1/3 to the sideline.
Added dimension they didn't have last year.
(Man everyone seems to like this guy.)
On Terrell Thomas: Real competitive guy.
On Boss: Potential to get better. Eli confident in him.
On Eli: Worked on his accuracy. Putting the ball in the right spots. Has more confidence in receivers.
Kirwan and Cross saying Eli on the "Brady Strength Program". Looks more physical than ever. Bigger. Stronger.
Toomer says he can fine tune things like that now that he's comfortable with the offense.
Was driving before, and these guys were praising Tuck. Not sure if it was mentioned, but Tim Green goes, "Justin Tuck is a bitch to deal with in the middle." Both are big proponents of Tuck lining up in the middle on passing downs.
Hardest part of defending a Super Bowl is losing hunger. Complacency. Giants have avoided that.
Kirwan says he doesn't think a LB can cover Boss.
"The offseason insults motivate us"
Tight ends - Shockey will be missed on the field. Smith will get his passes. Similar to Dallas Clark/Brandon Stokley in Indy a few years back. Concern is now the safety in the coverage configuration. Teams may roll to Plax now, and leave Boss with a linebacker.
According to Ralph, it's good that Shockey is gone. Due to the off field crap. He can be a cartoon character sometimes.
Plax contract - fairly close. A little of both with Burress not practicing, the ankle and the contract.
These guys would give Plax nice money, but on a short term deal. Think the injuries can be chronic. Put playing time/practice incentives in the deal.
A lot of openness between coaches and players. Everyone's on the same page, no secrets.
Coughlin is great leader, always keeps the team motivated. Reaches the team in a multitude of ways. Pulls quotes from books, history, that relate to a football season. Everyone is on the same page, open lines of communication.
These are Coughlin's guys now.
Going up against Osi in practice is great, having to face a Pro Bowler day to day.
Diehl is 317 these days.
Thomas where are you?
Dean, yes I saw them
I like the positive comments on Johnson, Phillips ,and Hixon.
The proverbial chess match. But yes it definitely favors the defense in this case.