On the first day of the Giants’ offseason workout program, Justin Tuck yesterday took a look around the locker room and determined, “We look big and fat right now. A lot of guys out of shape.”
Not to worry. Tuck was mostly kidding – he said he just finished squatting “about 400 pounds” – and getting back into the groove is what this time of year is all about. Despite a few extra pounds here and there, Tuck said the Giants are the team to beat in the NFL for the 2009 season.
“The players here and the coaching staff,” Tuck said of his rationale. “The experience, we have been there and done it. We know what it takes to get there. No one can deny that the team we had last year was headed that way until we got some injuries here and there, along with distractions. All of that happens for a reason. On paper I think the team to beat is definitely us.”
Head coach Tom Coughlin said he anticipated 59 players to attend the first day of the voluntary workouts, participation that he strongly links to future success. As expected, Plaxico Burress was not on the scene as he awaits his March 31 court date for felony gun charges.
“You all know the legal process is forthcoming, and pretty much, that’s where we are,” Coughlin said. “I don’t have anything new to report.”
All of the newly signed free agents were at Giants Stadium, except for defensive tackle Rocky Bernard, who is expected later in the week. Also in attendance was Osi Umenyiora, the Pro Bowl defensive end who missed the entire 2008 season following knee surgery.
“He was all lathered up and working hard this morning when I was in there, so I think it’s only a matter of time for Osi,” Coughlin said.
The first mandatory gathering for the Giants is a veteran mini-camp starting on June 16 and there is no way to know if Burress will be available by then, or ever.
“I’ve sent some texts and just tried to keep up with him and tell him I’m thinking about him,” Eli Manning said. “In that situation there’s a lot of waiting and seeing. I guess we’ll find something out these next couple of weeks about what’s going to happen.”
Told of Tuck’s assertion that the Giants are the team to beat, Manning wouldn’t take the bait.
“I assume Pittsburgh is probably the team to beat,” he said. “In the NFC, there are a lot of good teams. We just have to do our job. It doesn’t really matter if you’re the team to beat or not.”
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Running back Ahmad Bradshaw was on the scene. Bradshaw recently was released from the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail Authority after serving the final portion of his 60-day sentence for a violation of his juvenile probation.