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Dottino: Giants Preach Patience

By Paul Dottino
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EAST RUTHERFORD –  Patience, patience and more patience.

The Giants have slowly shaped their roster during the first part of training camp – with the latest entries being Monday's agreement to retain RB Ahmad Bradshaw with a four-year, $18 million package and the signing of former Cardinals TE Ben Patrick.

Coach Tom Coughlin said Patrick's presence does not affect Kevin Boss' role as the starter – if and when Boss signs a new deal. One could take this to mean that Travis Beckum is about to face serious competition. As for Bradshaw, you can consider a lot more than a coincidence that he agreed to terms while Falcons free agent RB Jason Snelling was visiting the Giants for lunch.

The two additions bring the Giants down to three missing persons, if you will - Boss, WR Steve Smith and first-round S Prince Amukamara. Again, GM Jerry Reese has offers out to all of them and hopes they return.

The biggest question of camp involves DE Osi Umenyiora, who continues to watch practice from the sideline, although coach Tom Coughiln said his non-participation has nothing to do with a medical condition.

In reality, Umenyiora has procured permission from Reese to seek a team willing to trade a first-round draft pick for him. And that's why he is not practicing. Of course, that trading partner is going to have to meet Umenyiora's request for a hefty raise in addition to parting with a premium draft choice. Sources with knowledge of the situation indicate that Umenyiora and Reese have taken a hard-line stance on their positions and stated it's very likely that Umenyiora will never take another snap for the Giants. Coughlin and defensive captain Justin Tuck, however, said they remain optimistic that Umenyiora will be able to reach some type of accord allowing him to return to his position as the starting right end.

To this point, nobody has labeled the Umenyiora situation as a distraction, although Coughlin admitted there's a limit as to how long this soup can simmer without boiling over.

*Safety Chad Jones, who was injured in a car accident last spring and lost his rookie season, was waived-injured. He said he feels as if he's healed to about 70 percent and was excited to attend Monday's practice. Jones proclaimed he will be ready to compete for a roster spot when training camp opens next summer.

*In accordance with the new CBA, the Giants are off Tuesday, although injured players will come in for treatment.

Giants fans, are you happy to have Bradshaw back in the fold?

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