Rogers Looking For Career-Fulfilling Ring With Giants

ALBANY, N.Y. (WFAN/AP) — Veteran defensive tackle Shaun Rogers isn't saying how much weight he lost after being signed by the Super Bowl champion New York Giants as a free agent, but there is an obvious difference since he reported for organized training activities a couple of months ago.

"I'm in good shape. I'm in decent shape," the 33-year-old said before practice Saturday at the University at Albany. "Like I said, as long as they happy, I'm happy. That's just the way it goes."

Rogers not only give the Giants a big body in the middle of a lightning fast defensive line, he also comes hungry. He has never won a title since entering the league in 2001 with the Detroit Lions.

"Well, there are still things left to prove," he said. "Coming into an atmosphere where these guys won a championship last year, with championship experience, that is one of the things on my resume that I am lacking. That is motivation for me. I want to play a part in it and hopefully get another ring for these guys and not just be along for the ride."

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Starting middle linebacker Chase Blackburn missed his first practice of training camp with a thigh injury. Mark Herzlich got to work with the starters.

Fellow linebackers Michael Boley (hamstring), Jacquian Williams (hip) and Jake Muasau (hamstring) also were out and coach Tom Coughlin cut the two-hour working by 30 minutes as a result.

"We didn't cut any periods, Coughlin said. "We cut some plays out of some periods."

Offensive tackles Will Beatty and James Brewer were out with back injuries. Defensive end Justin Trattou remains sidelined with an ankle injury. Defensive tackle Martin Parker returned to the field after missing yesterday's practice with a sore back.

Beatty, the starting left tackle, has missed two straight practices with the back issue and Coughlin said Friday that he held him out because it appeared he was slowing down.

Beatty said he underwent a routine back backup and that doctors told him his back is showing progress.

"It wasn't like I went down in practice or anything like that. It was, 'OK, you had a few practices, let's see how things are going,'" Beatty said.

Beatty said the coaches have not told him whether he will be able to pay in the preseason opener at Jacksonville on Friday.

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EXTRA POINTS: Safeties Kenny Phillips and Chris Horton intercepted passes in practice. ... Free-agent receiver David Douglas caught a nice fade pass against cornerback Dante Hughes. ... Defensive coordinator ran across the field to praise third-round draft pick Jayron Hosley for his coverage against TE Martellus Bennett. ... The Giants players have Sunday off and return to practice on Monday.