Giants Wrap Up Mini-Camp
Coughlin Pleased With Team’s Progress This Spring
Tom Coughlin met extensively with reporters after the final leg of the Giants’ three-day mini-camp this morning. 
The veterans are going home, the rookies will stay on another week. The next time the full team reconvenes will be for training camp in Albany on August 1st.
Some highlights from Coach Coughlin’s outdoor presser…
What is the one thing that you are most unsure about your team as you head into the summer?
I don’t know – so much has been made of getting Kenny Phillips back, I think, at full speed. And I’m very confident – he is, also, that he will be back. We look forward to that part of it. It is always a challenge integrating these young guys into the program and solving some of the issues that we had last year. Obviously always staying healthy and that type of thing.
Hixon had become such a potent kick returner or punt returner. Do you have any early thoughts on where you go from here to replace to him?
No, we have a lot of guys working in those capacities. People are just going to have to – this is an opportunity for someone to step up and be recognized in that role, certainly, and all of the special teams roles. Domenik was always very much involved in our receiving corps, as well. There were many days you guys watched that he looked to be the best receiver on the field. But this is an opportunity for someone. And we challenge the guys to be able to take advantage of that.
I know the minicamp is only three days but is there a particular rookie that may have stuck out a little bit more than others with his progress?
No, I think they have all competed and from time to time we have certainly spotted them. Jason (Pierre-Paul) stood out, (Joseph) Linval stood out. Chad (Jones) has had a pretty good – and I think right at the end of the OTA’s he was starting to emerge and doing things very well on special teams and in the secondary. (Phillip) Dillard from time to time has been a guy that has kind of jumped out at us. Mitch has done some good things. He gained attention that way. So I think pretty much they have hung in there well. They have taken advantage of the number of snaps that they have gotten for the most part. They have stayed out here. And it has been a real good experience for them.
Your end of camp speech on being safe. Did you have to remind them about the Mathias Kiwanuka thing? Did you bring that up at all?
No, I did not bring that up. That is a little bit too personal. What you talk about here is when you make a choice make sure it is in the best interest of you and your family. And always make sure that whatever you decide to do, don’t do anything that you wouldn’t be proud of if it was on the front page.
Through the OTA’s and now minicamp, how do you see the defense? Do you think they are starting to gel?
They seem to be a group that had some fun working together. There are some personalities back there – (Antrel) Rolle and (Deon) Grant are gregarious kind of guys and that has been a real plus. And I think, hopefully, there is some confidence growing at the linebacker spot. And certainly you can see that there is some depth emerging in the front. So I think they are anxious to prove what they can do.
You think Perry Fewell was a good hire then?
I think so, no doubt. I’m convinced of that.
