News and notes from New York Giants camp
PLAYER PROFILE
OL ADAM KOETS
He's the most overlooked member of the Giants' 2007 draft class. You know, the eight rookies who contributed as much as any group in recent NFL history.
But Adam Koets isn't being overlooked by the coaching staff. Earlier this week, when starting left tackle David Diehl missed his first couple of practices since high school, Koets shared reps with 2006 fifth-round pick Guy Whimper.
"He's had his very good days and, occasionally, one or two errors,"
coach Tom Coughlin said. "But he's a real try-hard guy, he's focused on being a better football player and he certainly is having those opportunities."
Koets, a sixth-round pick from Oregon, has an excellent opportunity to make the roster once again after being inactive for every game except the playoff win over the Buccaneers. With Shane Olivea being placed on injured reserve on Thursday, Koets could be the backup at both tackle spots.
And everywhere else on the line.
"I've done guard and even played some center,"
said Koets, who had a good game against the Lions in the preseason opener.
When asked what his best spot is, Koets laughed and said, "You probably know better than I do. But I've played tackle throughout my career, throughout college. I like right tackle a lot. I'm comfortable what I'm doing there and it's a natural position for me."
QUICK HITS
K Lawrence Tynes, who hurt his leg during practice last week, will not play against the Browns on Monday night. With no other kicker in camp because of tighter roster restrictions this year, the Giants were forced to bring back Josh Huston, who was with the team in camp last year but lost out to Tynes.
"I'm not worried about my job,"
Tynes said. "They have to bring in (a kicker). It would be an embarrassment if they went out there on Monday and there's not a kicker on the field. I mean, (LB) Chase Blackburn is the backup, and I don't know if you guys want to see that."
Tynes was hurt last Saturday after slipping and making "a very unathletic move."
He has undergone tests and an MRI and said he's improving. Tynes declined to provide the specifics of his injury, though his left knee was wrapped earlier this week.
"I've never missed five days in a row of kicking,"
said Tynes, who kicked the game-winning field goal in January's NFC Championship Game. "Plus, I've never missed a game. It's all been positive. We have so many games coming up in the next couple of (weeks) I'm just trying to be cautious."
--The Giants made one more transaction Friday, claiming OL Cliff Louis off waivers from the Browns. Louis, a 6-8, 315-pound Brooklyn native, was on Cleveland's practice squad all of last season after signing as an undrafted free agent from Morgan State.
--Michael Strahan finally showed up for training camp. Oh, wait, he's retired.
Still, the former Giants defensive end was on hand for Friday afternoon's practice, wearing gray shorts and a pullover with the team's logo. He hugged staff members and watched practice for a bit but ― somewhat uncharacteristically ― didn't spend time talking with reporters.
Presumably, he was researching for his new job on Fox's NFL studio show.
INJURY REPORT
--WR Plaxico Burress (ankle) did his usual limited routine.
--WRs Amani Toomer (knee), Steve Smith (groin/hamstring), Mario Manningham (quad) and David Tyree (knee/PUP), LBs Mathias Kiwanuka (groin) and Jonathan Goff (back), CBs Sam Madison (sports hernia) and R.W. McQuarters (hip flexor) and K Lawrence Tynes (leg).
--With Kiwanuka sidelined, LB Danny Clark worked on the strong side with the first team. Gerris Wilkinson was on the weak side.
