Some Practice Video

Here's some video from the last practice at minicamp. Note that Aaron Ross, Sinorice Moss, Antrel Rolle, and Derek Hagan were taking punt returns.

This team won't convene again until Aug. 1, when training camp opens at the University at Albany for the 15th consecutive season. In between, several players including Kenny Phillips, Hakeem Nicks, Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw, and Justin Tuck will be trying to get themselves healthy after missing all or part of the three-day minicamp.

Among the bigger issues facing the Giants heading into training camp is finding a suitable replacement for Domenik Hixon. Not only did he play on punt and kickoff returns and punt and kickoff coverage, but he also took part in the passing game.

But many of his teammates said they'll miss the man more than the player.

"It's not fair, but life isn't fair," said Tuck, who sat out the last two days with a sore foot. "I didn't see anything that went wrong. I've seen him run past hundreds of people, it's just that this time something went wrong."

"Domenik has nothing but respect from everyone here," Tom Coughlin said. "He is an excellent teammate. He is a guy that we are all personally very fond of. He is completely reliable and dependable; just an outstanding young man; outstanding leader in the locker room; a stand tall guy; a guy who is very positive, always very re-enforcing for his unit as receivers and special teams.

"I saw Domenik this morning and told him that first and foremost our concern is for him. He assures me that he will get this taken care of and he will be here to support his teammates and looks forward to coming back."

Replacing him will be a major issue of camp now. Today, Aaron Ross, Sinorice Moss, and Antrel Rolle, and Derek Hagan took punts, as Mario Manningham missed the workout for personal reasons. Ahmad Bradshaw could work in there, too, as his surgically-repaired feet and ankle get better. Tiny Tim Brown, an undrafted wideout from Rutgers will also get a chance. And special teams coordinator Tom Quinn also counted third-round safety Chad Jones as a possibility because of his baseball background.

"Anybody with baseball experience tracks the ball very well," Quinn said. "He's always in good position."

That's a plus, since ball security is so important in today's punting game.

"How far they kick it these days, you've got to make sure you catch it," Quinn said.

Andre Brown and Bradshaw could be the front-runners for the kickoff return spot.

There's no doubt, however, that Hixon will be missed.

EP