Rookie Mini-camp, Day One

The fateful day has finally arrived... The Giants blog is here. I can only hope to get half the attention and half the headshot that my man Berger has on the Jets blog -- for a little guy, that is a huge headshot, ain't it? -- so we'll start off in very humble fashion with a rookie mini-camp update.

It's not the most glamorous debut, I understand, but we'll do what we can -- after all, to quote Tom Coughlin from earlier today, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression." I think maybe he cribbed that from somewhere else, but it definitely applies to the blog and all that the blog brings.

The Giants had 46 rookies and first-year players on the practice field this morning, the first of two workouts today.  I've got some quick observations on each draft pick, followed by a complete list of attendees with a few more comments:

-- DE Mathias Kiwanuka is long and lean, but boy, he is lean. He said he's 265 pounds, which is around what he played at in college, but he needs to put on at least 10-15 pounds before training camp to have a chance at physically competing with NFL offensive linemen. Kiwanuka was at right defensive end today.

-- WR Sinorice Moss is hard to find on a crowded field -- maybe that's a good thing. He's a legit 5'8" but he's built tough and he caught most everything thrown his way this morning. Coughlin pulled him aside a couple times to talk, a sign of the attention and expectations the team has for Moss.

-- LB Gerris Wilkinson worked at weak-side linebacker and will continue to do so. With Carlos Emmons and Brandon Short on the WLB depth chart, Wilkinson could have an impact there.

-- NT Barry Cofield noted that Giants defensive line coach Mike Waufle favorably compared Cofield to Kendrick Clancy, who had a standout year at the nose and then split for big bucks to the Cardinals. "He proved you don't just have to be a space-eater there, you can wreak some havoc and make plays," said Cofield, who communicated well -- no surprise, since he has to return to Northwestern after Monday's workout to take two communications finals.

-- OT Guy Whimper is 6-5, 305 -- yet he still looked small for an NFL lineman. S Charles Peprah didn't catch too many balls in drills. And CB Gerrick McPhearson used his speed to break up a few pass plays to draw notice.

Among the undrafted lot, OL Jai Lewis (George Mason) got more attention for his long-snapping skills than anything else -- he's the longest of longshots to learn enough in time to make the team. And WR Anthony Mix out of Auburn has good size (6-4, 235) and decent hands.

Here's the rest of the undrafted rookie and first-year group:

DT Sir Henry Anderson (Oregon State), G Stephen Bell (Temple), RB Decori Birmingham (Arkansas), CB Charles Byrd (Morehead State), DE Thomas Carroll (Miami, FL), LB Kevis Coley (So. Miss), S Trevis Coley (So. Miss), LB Michael Craven (Stanford), CB Kevin Dockery (Miss. State), DE Willie Evans (Miss. State), OL Na'Shan Goddard (So. Carolina), DT Marcus Green (Ohio State), QB Gino Guidugli (Cincinnati), S Kyler Hall (Florida State), FB Greg Hanoian (Syracuse), QB Ryan Hart (Rutgers), FB Tony Jackson (Iowa), TE Darcy Johnson (C. Florida), G Matthew Lentz (Michigan), OL Todd Londot (Miami, OH), T Sameeh McDonald (Rutgers), LB Nick McNeil (W. Carolina), S Anthony Morris (Averett), LB Barry Robertson (La. Tech), DT Demetrius Shambley (James Madison), LB Jon Simmons (S. Florida), RB James Sims (Washington), G Tony Tella (Miami, FL), RB David Underwood (Michigan), CB E.J. Underwood (Pikeville), RB Jerod Void (Purdue), WR Curtis Williams (Maryland), WR Harry Williams (Tuskegee).

Add in practice squadders TE Wade Fletcher, WR Michael Jennings  and DT Jonas Seawright and you've got the whole group.

And a very, very long first blog entry. I'll have this thing down a little better by Monday for the second installment. All comments (except yours, Glauber) are welcome.

Comments

[Giants fan]

Thanks for the report. I like how you mention "Gerrick McPhearson used his speed to break up a few pass plays to draw notice." I think I speak for all fans who can't be there when I say that this is the information we want. Please give us as many details a s possible about what happens during the practices, how well different players perform, etc.

[Frank E. Kurczewski]

Although brief, best thing I've read so far on the 1st day of Rookie Mini-Camp. Did any of the non-drafted free agents stand out other than Mix?

[Bill Moore]

Us Jint nuts are thirsty for any bit of info on our team, Thanks .
We like your blog, and the more info the better. I hope you're not serious in calling yours a"very long blog".
For us, it could never be long enough.
Thanks again.

[Bob Glauber]

Hey ... uh ... you guys want a blog?

[GiantsRule]

I hear you when you say you want more about the undrafted free agents like EJ Underwood and Matt Lentz, those guys could be really good. Overall, though, I love the amount of information, just keep it comin'!

[Jay in Toronto]

It sounds like Giants expect a lot of Jonas Seawright, with comments like "He is unblockable." Apparently he has also developed physically in the offseason. Any observations on his play would be appreciated.

[Stan]

I enjoyed reading your first entry. It seems the NFL season extends well beyond the actual 'games played' time frame and your contribution, at this time, is welcome. Now that you've done the introductions, make certain the blog content focus' on the Giants and not on the blog!

[Rocco]

Hey, were you with the Rangers? Glad to have aboard!

[Mike Campagna]

I love the G-men almost as much as I love my ex girlfriend Jen Hughes!!!

[dildog]

I am a NYG from Boston and any information I get is greatly appreciated. keep up the great work

[phil]

no coverage as of late, are you guys sleeping over there

[Mike M]

I live in SoFla, so I appreciate the detailed info. Am still a bit concerned over Eli (his passes looked a little too Joe Kapp-ish at times). how's he look so far?