With Future Visits Uncertain, Giants Wrap Up 16th Camp At UAlbany
ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The Giants wrapped up training camp at the University at Albany Tuesday and headed back to New Jersey.
The team is off Wednesday, and will practice Thursday in anticipation of Saturday's preseason game against the Jets.
It is uncertain whether the Giants (No. 3 in the AP Pro32) will return here next season for a 17th camp. The teams plans to decide in the fall whether to return or hold sessions at their East Rutherford, N.J., headquarters.
Coach Tom Coughlin refused to discuss the future of training camp. He said he would have preferred to get more work done in the team's 14 or 15 practices here.
"I would always say that. That's such a traditional answer," Coughlin said. "You get into it. And you really, really look forward to trying to get better, especially when you play a game. We're not even scratching the surface. We've got so much more to go and so much more work to do. So that's my opinion of it."
One of the Giants' biggest issues -- besides the small beds -- is the lack of a capable indoor field for the team to use during rainy weather.
"I can obviously state the obvious — I want them here,'' Albany mayor Jerry Jennings told the New York Post. "I can work with them and do whatever we have to do to make sure that their stay here is as comfortable and enjoyable as possible for everyone."
Tuesday's attendance at camp was 1,880, raising the camp total to 37,684. That's an average of 2,692 fans.
"The thing that I want to say is I think the fans here have been fabulous," Coughlin said. "Obviously we're coming off a Super Bowl win, so you'd be inclined to think that might be the case. But to have 5,000 people at a Sunday afternoon practice here ... I just think they've been great."
EXTRA POINTS: A day after being taken off the physically unable to perform list, WR Hakeem Nicks watched practice. He is not eligible to work with the team on the field until Monday, under the new collective bargaining agreement. ... WR Ramses Barden missed practice because of ankle and foot problems. Coughlin hopes it is not related to post-surgical issues that sidelined him the first half of last season. ... LBs Michael Boley (hamstring) and Jacquian Williams (hip) and CB Michael Coe (hamstring) missed practice. WR David Douglas returned after missing time with a quad injury. ... Former Rutgers RB Joe Martinek knocked over LB Mark Herzlich on a running play in practice. ... S Kenny Phillips intercepted an Eli Manning pass over the middle and celebrated with Antrel Rolle. ... Second-year WR Jerrel Jernigan made a couple of nice catches, including a deep sideline pass from backup QB Ryan Perriloux.
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