Friday Morning Update: What You Need to Know
Good morning from GFB. Lots to cover so let’s get to it with what you need to know….
- The Giants and Patriots will go through the drill one more time today: media sessions in the morning followed by practice in the afternoon.
- Yesterday, the Giants had all 53 players practicing for the second consecutive day. RB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot) and Osi Umenyiora (ankle/knee) were limited, but WR Hakeem Nicks (shoulder), CB Corey Webster (hamstring) and LB Jacquian Williams (foot) all practiced in full.
- Everyone practiced for the Pats as well, including TE Rob Gronkowski (ankle).
- DE Osi Umenyiora apologized for missing Wednesday’s media session, calling it an “honest mistake”.
- Madonna, who will be performing at halftime, said she was a fan of the salsa and promised there would be no wardrobe malfunctions.
Notes
Bradshaw said he would most likely take off Friday and Saturday but felt it was important to get out on the field earlier in the week than usual:
“Just to get my legs up under me. We’ve been staying in this hotel for the last couple of days, sitting on our butts in meetings and everything else, so I just wanted to get my feet up under me and get out there and have fun.”
Peter King of NBC was in attendance at the Giants’ practice as was the entire NBC crew. Here are some observations from King:
Bradshaw, who coach Tom Coughlin said hadn’t practiced on consecutive days to his memory all season, tripped going through the line on one running play early in the session. But he hopped up and was able to continue, and he showed no signs of limping with the nagging foot injury, completing practice as normal. “It looked like he tripped over the fullback’s foot,’’ said Coughlin. “But he’s fine.’’
Overall, Coughlin said, “We did fine. The energy level, the enthusiasm, the excitement is all there, as it should be, as it was yesterday. They’re really excited to practice for the game. I think they’ve done very well. This was a good day of preparation.’’
Manning was sharp. In the final two first-unit offensive possessions of the day, the second a two-minute drill, he completed 10 of 11 throws. Manning was particularly effective in the two-minute drill, held against the Giants’ first-team defense, moving the offense briskly downfield with but one incompletion. He appears to be in peak form heading into the second Super Bowl of his eight-year NFL career.
The play of the day came from Nicks, one of Manning’s favorite targets. Early in the practice, Nicks made a twisting, one-handed catch of a line drive from Manning on the left sideline, corralling the ball easily and turning upfield.
In all, the Giants appear to be in good shape, physically and mentally, for the rematch of the Super Bowl four years ago.
Alex Marvez of FOX Sports was at the Patriots’ facility. Not much happening. Pats coach Bill Belichick is staying optimistic about Gronkowski’s prospects for Sunday.
“He did some things. He didn’t do everything,” Belichick said of Gronkowski. “We’ll see how he is (Friday). I think that will be the big key.”
New England also incorporated 30 minute breaks into their practice session to simulate the 30 minute halftime break they will experience this Sunday.
“We were trying to simulate the best we can,” Belichick told Marvez. “It’s not perfect but it’s the best we could do. Practice, take a break, come back out and re-start.”
Tom Coughlin was asked of his thoughts on Jaguars’ owner Wayne Weaver’s comments that he should have kept Coughlin in Jacksonville.
“I don’t do hypotheticals, thanks,” said the coach, who took the expansion Jaguars to two AFC Championship Games. “I appreciate what was said, and it was mentioned on a couple of occasions. I have great respect for Mr. Weaver. My time in Jacksonville was very, very important to my family and I. We cherished that time.”
