Offense takes center stage for Giants

[The_Philster]

ALBANY, N.Y. -- On the fourth play of the first "team drill" during the New York Giants initial training camp practice last Friday morning, wide receiver Amani Toomer raced up the left sideline, stretched out a big right paw as he subtly adjusted to the pass from Kerry Collins, then laid out to complete a brilliant one-handed catch.

It was, in its own way, an early camp reminder that these are not your father's Giants anymore, folks.

Once viewed as stodgy, staid and predictable, the perception of the Giants offense, even in the last couple seasons, was that it was slow and pedestrian, lurching the ball along in spasms and hiccups. In truth, though, a New York offense that statistically ranked No. 6 in the league in 2002, now takes, well, Giants steps toward the end zone....

more (http://espn.go.com/nfl/trainingcamp03/columns/pasquarelli_len/1586102.html)

[The_Philster]

ALBANY, N.Y.- Five observations on the 2003 New York Giants gleaned from training camp practices of July 25:

1. One of the key elements that the Giants appear to have going for them in 2003, and one that's a bit unusual, is a kind of collective amnesia regarding some aspects of last season. People here seem to conveniently forget New York was 6-6 heading into December, and in seeming disarray, coming off an ignominious defeat at expansion Houston and then an overtime loss to Tennessee. In the latter game, New York surrendered a tying touchdown and a two-point conversion with just nine seconds remaining in regulation. But coach Jim Fassel again rallied the troops, the Giants won four straight games down the stretch (with an overtime victory against Philadelphia in the regular-season finale), and they earned a wildcard berth. Of course, in the playoffs, they staged the second-largest collapse in NFL postseason play, squandering a 38-14 lead at San Francisco. That defeat also seems to have been purged from the Giants' memory banks, and there is a palpable sense here that New York has not only closed the gap on the Eagles in the NFC East, but also that this is a roster solid enough to compete in 2003 for a Super Bowl berth. And you know what? Giants players, officials and coaches might be correct in that self-assessment. Rather than dwell on some of the negatives of 2002, the players appear instead to have learned from them, and survived rather nicely. "There's always a lesson to be learned," said tailback Tiki Barber after the first training camp practice. "But nothing is served, either, when you beat yourself up too much, you know? We were on a roll late in the season, and then for three quarters (in the playoff game), before the bottom fell out on us. But we proved, even with the way the season ended, that we're good enough to play with anybody in the league." True enough. Like every other NFL franchise, the Giants have some holes, and the most glaring shortcoming seems to be a lack of depth in several areas. But make no mistake: This is a team that exudes confidence, that believes it is poised for pretty big things in 2003, and feels good about itself. Based on the opening sessions training camp, at least, we're not going to throw water on those aspirations....

more (http://espn.go.com/nfl/trainingcamp03/columns/giants/observations/1586078.html)

[The_Philster]

ALBANY, N.Y. -- New York's heartbreak football kids entered camp with one message permeating inside the halls of the coaching staff: Listen to all the high expectations ... then set the bar even higher. Such was the theme of Giants coach Jim Fassel's opening thoughts to his staff, veering clear of any pain the team suffered earlier this year in NinersGate.

While the team wants to move on, the painful reminders of their playoff collapse are thrust upon them in every setting. Just last week defensive coordinator Johnnie Lynn received a first-hand reminder of just how bitter Giants fans became that day. ...more (http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/6502391)