Five Topics For This Monday Morning

Monday, June 8, 2009

1. Eli Synchronizing Nicely With Receivers

Like we said, all the divas are gone and Eli is the boss. Every one's here, ready to listen, ready to learn and ready to work. The new facility has opened up the practices to the deep passing routes and the receiving corp is really strutting their stuff. Eli is also enjoying (and benefiting from) the expanded space.

2. Osi In Great Shape

Osi Umenyiora appears to be ready to go after missing all of 2008 with a knee injury. He has a little soreness after extended workouts, but that's to be expected. Osi also has been working out hard this past winter which is evident by his overall physique.

3. Tom Coughlin Is Calm and Confident

He may be the NFL's oldest coach, but you'd never know it. He's got more energy than men half his age. The 62-year-old Coughlin has become more confident in his role and although he has a reputation for being explosive and hands-on, he's delegated a lot of that to his assistants. He reminds me of Tommy Lasorda a bit. He's personable, knowledgeable and a straight-shooter. If you recall, Lasorda had the full backing of management as well. Coughlin has that here, now. Players can't mess with him anymore, and now most of them won't want to, anyway.

4. Corey Webster is the Dean of the Secondary

That's right, he's got tenure. This secondary is that young. The last few seasons, RW McQuarters and Sam Madison were the veteran presence, but both are now gone. Webster has taken his role seriously and according to sources is stepping up nicely.

5. Phillips and Boss Beefing Up

The best part about having Jerry Palmieri and Marcus Paul on hand is the S&C regimen they design for each player. We told you about Osi before, but from what I'm being told, two other Giants have showed up bigger and stronger to camp this year. Second-year safety Kenny Phillips and TE Kevin Boss. While we all sitting around debating Plaxico, these guys were hitting the weights.