Osi, Plax, Ward sitting; Steve Smith dressed
That was the early practice lineup today. Steve Smith was in pads, catching passes -- still say he's not back until the 49ers game 10 days from now, but he's progressing.
Osi is listed as having knee issues, even though his back was sore after Sunday's win. Burress and Ward are still hobbling on bum ankles.
Oh, and Lawrence Tynes missed three straight FG tries -- from 30, 35 and 39 yards, all from the left hash, all pushed wide right. He made one from 39 but TC had called a last-second time out; he hit the next one too, though TC didn't look pleased.
Josh Huston is now on the Bengals practice squad, but that shouldn't be a deterrent if the Giants want to bring him back.
Thanks to all who commented on the QOTD... Good work, good thoughts from all.
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Comments (5)
Sooner or later we're going to have a close game where a field goal makes the difference. And our kicker is Tynes. Its a disaster just waiting to happen.
Tynes hasn't yet choked the way Feely did in Seattle (which, I'm convinced, is the main reason they let him walk), but I get the feeling that can happen at any time.
Where's Matt Bahr when you need him? If Morten Anderson is still kicking, why not Bahr?
The Seattle game was a disaster but Feely was pretty solid overall.
Tyne's seems better on kickoffs, but they need someone who can make field goals (and extra points!).
There isn't anyone else available? Boy do I miss Brad Daluiso.
I think you said it earlier this season, Arthur, that Jay Feely doesn't look so bad right about now. You were right.
Being a placekicker in football is akin to being a B-plus closer in baseball: you'll get the job done most of the time, but everybody remembers you for how you've failed.
That said, Jay Feely was like the Billy Wagner of kickers: he'll get the job done at a high percentage, but he'll always make it interesting (remember that one he squeezed inside the left upright in OT at Philly in '05?) and often choke in the big game like Seattle (I don't blame Feely for the Bears game last year because attempting a kick that was well out of his range was Coughlin's brilliant idea).
It seems to me like the Giants kept Tynes simply because he was the first person they signed in the offseason. Huston had a more consistent preseason and was my choice for the job. But they probably paid Tynes and healthy signing bonus so they felt the pressure to keep him. Call it a win by default.
And if you don't remember, Ryan, Brad Daluiso missed a potential game-tying FG at the close of regulation vs. the Seahawks in the King Dome in 1995... although I'll always remember him more for his booming kickoffs and the 54-yard game-winner he kicked against the Cardinals in 1993 after they opened up the tunnels in Giants Stadium :)
He'd probably still be booting the ball to Brooklyn if Fassel had him squib kick the ball on the game's final play against Dallas on MNF in 1999.
Tynes isn't going to do the job. But I don't know Huston would be better but something has to happen with the kicking game. Parcells got Gramatica last year right before the Giants game and he was a temporary solution. Maybe we can find a kicker like that. Atleast I hope.