T-Rock's Take on the Giants

Strahan is FINALLY coming back and all you die-harders would rather talk about singers and musicians in movies. Awesome.

rnargi, excellent contributions as always. Sinatra was great in Manchurian Candidate, which is a top-5 all-timer, no doubt.

Flea in Big Lebowski? Nice job, Hank. I'd add Flea and Henry Rollins in The Chase too.

And, since I always forget one important one, I'll add Alex Desert. He was Charles in Swingers and is one of the singers in a terrific band called Hepcat. They're so good even Clip-On Blauber could enjoy them, alongside his Steely Dan 8-tracks.

And now, for more Strahan stuff -- just that Tony Agnone, his agent, said 92 is on a plane back to NYC and will be officially part of the team as of tomorrow, even though nothing's going on (excellent timing!). So Monday he'll be in the locker room and we will be supplicating at his feet once more.

Unless he changes his mind, that's all for tonight.

The reports are flying (thanks for the heads up, Bill H.) and it seems that Ol' 92, Michael Strahan, will return on Monday.

Calls and e-mails are out to everyone... Will update as I hear it.

First, a celebrity sighting:

Walking back to my car at the row of restaurants off Rte. 3 near Giants Stadium, and an F-150 with gigantic rims rolls up. It's our old friend Michael Jennings, fresh off successful Achilles surgery and tooling around in one of his own custom Chevys.

Frankly, he could tear the other Achilles trying hop down out of the thing, but he was in good spirits. Always nice to see.

As to the rest of the crew... OL Guy Whimper has a high ankle sprain, but TC said Whimper was walking without crutches today, so maybe it won't be so bad.

Will Demps said he has full range of motion back in his arm and he's been doing his two-a-day rehab sessions to be ready for the opener. Still doubt the Giants will let him go full blast, but I'm betting he'll be in uniform.

Sam Madison said he's been doing some straight-ahead running, but nothing else yet. Seems to be a couple weeks away at least.

And E.J. Underwood has a little swelling on the side of his face, but nothing more. He said he's due back at work in a week or two. I'm assuming he'll still be here then.

TC expressed some frustration over Ol' 92 today, and this would obviously be the time the Giants would be most annoyed, since they have to craft a roster with one key player not in, but not out. Strahan can stay on the reserve/did not report list without counting against the 53-man roster, but once he decides he's coming back, someone has to be cut.

OK, on to the FridayList... Today's is a little complicated, but fun. Top 10 acting performances by singers/musicians. Bonus points for being in a good band and some acting chops. And there'll be no Beyonce, Eminem or Mariah Carey on this list -- you all should know by now that The FridayList is not a popularity contest.

10. Ice-T, New Jack City and Trespass. I know he's in that Law & Order spinoff, but for my money, nothing beats those two early-90s performances. Or "Body Count."

9. Michael Been (The Call), Last Temptation of Christ. Obscure but great band, obscure but great flick.

8. Eddie Vedder, Singles. "A compliment for us is a compliment for you." When you only have one line, better make it a good one. He did. Too bad Pearl Jam isn't relevant anymore.

7. Ludacris, Crash. Completely got screwed out of an Oscar nomination. At least he told Oprah to shut her yap when she ambushed him on her show.

6. John Doe, various films. Good character actor; great, important band (X) and solo artist.

5. Joe Strummer, Mystery Train . A musical god slouching his way through a funny, weird flick from the master of funny, weird flicks, Jim Jarmusch. Also note that Screamin' Jay Hawkins is in the same movie.

4. Ice Cube, Boyz N The Hood. Another excellent performance that was unrecognized by the big awards types. He's since soiled his ability as an actor with the Friday/Are We There Yet? stuff, and his music isn't as prolific or good as it used to be, but he was on top of both worlds there for a hot minute.

3. Alanis Morissette, Dogma. I'm not a tremendous fan of her music and this is a mess of a movie, but she plays God pretty well. I think. Her Curb Your Enthusiasm appearance gives her bonus points.

2. Diana Ross, The Wiz. Yes, she's done better stuff, but make your own list if you want. This movie (with Michael Jackson, who was also pretty darn good) is still one of my top-50 faves. She can sing pretty well too, I hear.

1. David Bowie, The Man Who Fell To Earth. Most odd-ball flick I've ever seen, and one of the most memorable. His music has the same effect.

Back with cuts and any 92 news tomorrow... Enjoy the weekend.

Burress, Robert Douglas, Sam Madison, E.J. Underwood, Will Demps, Reggie Torbor (calf), Kawika Mitchell, Gerris Wilkinson, Grey Ruegamer, David Tyree, Adrian Awasom

On with the show

And a drive to Foxboro kinda held me up correcting my mistake. See -- I knew I'd be an idiot somehow.

WR

In: Plax, Toomer, David Tyree, Steve Smith, Sinorice Moss, Anthony Mix

Out: Kevin McMahan

Why? Top five receivers get in. That's the top five.

OK, NOW we'll get inactives going in a bit.

Since I never did present a 53-man roster here, I'll run down the positions and see where I think everybody stands heading into tonight's game with the Pats. I hope to hear from all of you who think I have no idea what I'm talking about... In fact, I know I will.

QB

In: Eli, Jared Lorenzen

Out: Anthony Wright

Bubbling: Tim Hasselbeck.

Why? Wright hasn't proven he can be the backup, so there's no reason to keep him -- he gets a little credit for having to play behind a terrible group of O-linemen, but he needed to show a lot more than he has. Hasselbeck could stay for a simple reason: He's very tight with Manning and he's a sharp guy. Of course, there's a case for only keeping two QBs, since the roster is so depleted.

RB

In: Brandon Jacobs, Reuben Droughns, Derrick Ward, Ahmad Bradshaw

Out: Ryan Grant

Bubbling: Robert Douglas

Why? Ward has value as the kick returner; Grant is running in David Tyree's spot at gunner, but others can fill that role until Tyree returns. Grant has impressed so far, but it's a matter of numbers. Douglas is out a couple weeks after knee surgery and I don't really think he can handle the FB grind for a full season. He may end up being stashed on IR so the Giants can keep him around, because there's definitely potential there. Droughns and a TE can fill the blocking back role.

TE

In: Shockey, Kevin Boss, Michael Matthews

Out: Charles Davis

Why? The best three TEs make it. Matthews needs some seasoning, but he's got talent.

OL

In: David Diehl, Rich Seubert, Shaun O'Hara, Chris Snee, Kareem McKenzie, Grey Ruegamer, Zach Piller, Guy Whimper, Todd Londot

Out: Adam Koets, Jon Dunn, Matt Lentz

Why? I almost had them keeping 8 OL because there's so much depletion on D. But I think Londot makes it because he's a bit more versatile than Lentz. Don't think Koets needs to be kept and should end up on the practice squad. There's only one backup T in Whimper, but honestly, do you think any of the other guys who've played there showed they could do the job in an emergency?

K

In: Josh Huston

Out: Lawrence Tynes

Why? TC usually likes to have a guy who's a veteran over someone untested, but in this case, Huston is a safer choice. His kickoffs are better, plain and simple. And it's not exactly a set-in-stone gig, so they'll be trying out kickers for weeks, I'm sure.

P

In: Jeff Feagles

DE

In: Michael Strahan, Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora, Adrian Awasom

Out: Tommy Davis, Marquies Gunn

Why? I still truly believe Strahan is coming back, though I'm becoming a little less sure with each passing day. The whole situation is getting more than a little silly, and I'm betting his teammates' good will would dry up if he strings everyone along right up until next Sunday, messing with the roster. In any event, the other three are in, even though Davis and Gunn each had some flashes in camp.

DT

In: Fred Robbins, Barry Cofield, William Joseph, Jay Alford, Manny Wright

Out: Jonas Seawright

Why? Wright is a gamble, but perhaps when there's far less pressure on him, he can succeed. Seawright slimmed down but he's still a head case as far as the coaching staff and front office are concerned. And who knew Willie Joe would end up being a lock? Actually, I think he's looked worse since sliding back to DT, so Robbins and Cofield better stay healthy.

LB

In: Antonio Pierce, Kawika Mitchell, Mathias Kiwanuka, Chase Blackburn, Reggie Torbor, Zak DeOssie, Gerris Wilkinson

Out: Tyson Smith

Why? Smith offers a lot as a special-teamer and depth LB, but it's numbers.

CB

In: Sam Madison, Corey Webster, R.W. McQuarters, Aaron Ross, Kevin Dockery, E.J. Underwood

Out: Gerrick McPhearson

Why? McPhearson needed a huge camp, and his recent minor injury sealed matters. He doesn't offer as much as Dockery or Underwood, who have injuries too but bigger upsides.

S

In: Gibril Wilson, James Butler, Will Demps, Michael Johnson

Out: Craig Dahl

Bubbling: J.R. Reed

Why? I think the Giants could use Reed, who's incredibly athletic and versatile. Johnson could be practice-squad material, but I think he's got enough of an upside not to make it through waivers. If the Giants go with 2 QBs, here's where the extra guy gets in. And yes, I'm saying that the Giants may have only a seventh-round pick as a backup safety in the opener.

So please, call me an idiot.

Be back with some inactives after a nice, leisurely drive.

That's according to Jerry Reese, who has had two phone conversations with No. 92 in the last two days.

The one this morning ended with Strahan telling Reese that his decision -- retire or return -- will be made in the next day or two. Both convos, according to Reese, were "constructive and positive."

What that means, we'll find out when Strahan gets here. If he gets here... Though I'm guessing the chats had something to do with rescinding a portion of the fines, now at $457,216, and perhaps Reese reiterating that Strahan is wanted here.

About to head into the locker room... More later.

The big fella was carted off before practice even started with dehydration, but I think he'll be OK.

Plaxico Burress was back at the ranch today, getting treatment on his lower back. No timetable for him.

And the last roster move is apparently going to be Ryan Kuehl (calf) going on injured reserve. So all the rest of the upright Giants will stick around until final cuts on Saturday. Kuehl is the eighth Giant on IR already. Two more and they get a free mocachino, I think.

The fact that Underwood, who had surgery to repair a broken jaw yesterday, could be back practicing before the season begins was about the only good injury news the Giants got today.

WR David Tyree has a broken left wrist and is out 4-6 weeks.

WR Plaxico Burress was in the city today having his back checked out. Not the flu, as was reported as the reason for him missing Saturday's game, but his back, which has been acting up for several days.

FB Robert Douglas will have one of his knees 'scoped, meaning he's out a minimum of 2-3 weeks.

CBs Gerrick McPhearson (ankle) and Kevin Dockery (hamstring) didn't practice. Neither did LB Kawika Mitchell (groin), CB Sam Madison (hamstring), S Will Demps (elbow), DE Adrian Awasom (abductor), LB Gerris Wilkinson (knee), OL Grey Ruegamer (ankle) or OL Adam Koets (undisclosed).

The Giants did cut down to 76 players, one above the max allowed by 4 p.m. tomorrow. TE Rodney Burgess (shoulder) was waived-injured, DT Marcus Bell (knee) became the sixth Giant to go on injured reserve, and the following were waived: WR Wil Buchanon, DB Richard Yancy, LB Karibi Dede, OL Nick Jones and OL Myniya Smith.

Just so you know the available CBs today were the starting twosome of R.W. McQuarters and Corey Webster, nickel CB Aaron Ross... And then Darren Barnett and J.R. Reed, who's a safety.

I expect the starters to stand on the field for the anthem on Thursday and then sit inside for their own well-being.

Broken jaw for Underwood. Happened on the safety, apparently, though no one really saw it.

Safe to say his season is over, yet again, in the third preseason game. Tough break for a kid who had a chance again to make the roster and contribute.

"You explain it, I certainly can't," TC said. "We really wanted to take a long, hard look at him last night. Then, before you know it, he's gone."

So to answer the comment from the other day -- they won't keep both Underwood and Dockery. Dockery's going to stick, but he had another rough game last night. Depth is really a huge concern at the corner now, if it weren't already.

LB Kawika Mitchell has a strained groin and it sounds as if he's day to day. Wouldn't think of him playing on Thursday, but he could be ready for 9/9 in Dallas.

TC said the Giants won't be starting from scratch with the kicking game. Lawrence Tynes missed two, though one was off a bad snap; Josh Huston then could have sewn up his lead for the job but missed his 42-yarder late. Huston boomed a kickoff out of the end zone, into the wind, so it's safe to say he still leads.

Kudos from TC to Justin Tuck, Osi and the rest of the D-line. Great game for the starting group. Maybe, instead of "Ballin'," the new slogan will be "Michael who?"

Anthony Wright and Tim Hasselbeck... were not good last night. Again. Good question from John Branch of the Fancy-Pants Gazette (Times to the rest of you) about whether the Giants would join the trend and carry only two QBs.

TC wouldn't say, but it's not a bad thought. Neither of the vets has looked even remotely decent.

I asked about Reuben Droughns, who has been rather blah as a running back. He does do other things -- he's been the upback on kickoffs, with good results -- so I don't think he's in any danger of being gassed. But Ahmad Bradshaw, Derrick Ward and Ryan Grant have all out-performed Droughns in the running game.

That's all for now... We'll see if Ol' 92 checks in tomorrow.