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TE Brandon Myers - © USA TODAY Sports Images

New BBI Salary Cap Article: Potential Issues Signing the Giants’ Remaining Unsigned Draft Picks by Optimus-NY of BigBlueInteractive.com

Surgery for Hynoski: As previously reported, FB Henry Hynoski was carted off of the practice field on Wednesday after injuring his left knee. The Giants revealed yesterday that Hynoski suffered an injury to his medial collateral ligament (MCL) and a chip fracture to the lateral plateau. Hynoski will undergo surgery on Friday to repair the ligament and the fracture.

“I am going to set my mind to being ready for the first game of the regular season,” said Hynoski. “They said that is not an unrealistic goal, and I will do everything in my power to be ready for the start of the season.”

Hynoski later tweeted, “Thank you everyone for all the tremendous support…just a bump in the road…I will come back stronger than ever from this!”

Nicks’ Absence from OTAs Not Tied to Contract: According to Yahoo! Sports, the absence of WR Hakeem Nicks from the Organized Team Activity (OTA) practice on Wednesday was not due the receiver’s desire to receive a higher-paying contract from the Giants.

Nicks’ agent declined to explain Nicks’ absence from the OTA practice on Wednesday. But he did strongly deny that Nicks was not there because of his current rookie contract, which is set to expire after the 2013 season. The agent told Yahoo! Sports that “Nicks takes his place in the community very seriously and wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize that reputation.”

Yahoo! Sports initially caused the commotion on Wednesday by reporting that Nicks did not attend the OTA practice as part of a contract negotiating tactic. That erroneous report was apparently based on a Giants team source who said Nicks may be unhappy with his contract situation. That unidentified team source told Yahoo! Sports that Nicks was sending “the team a little message by not showing up for practice Wednesday.”

Aside from his absence this week, Nicks has been participating in the Giants’ offseason program although he has been limited due to an offseason arthroscopic procedure on his left knee.

Giants Re-Sign WR Ramses Barden: The Giants have officially re-signed unrestricted free agent WR Ramses Barden. The contract is reportedly a 1-year deal.

“I’m happy to be back,” Barden said. “This is where I wanted to be and now I’m here. I was out there listening to the calls, getting back into the rhythm of the cadence, enjoying the camaraderie and absorbing everything. I remember everything; I’ve had four years to soak it all up. I’m happy to be back on the field. I feel great. I expect the best.”

Because of this move, we have updated the Transactions, Free Agent Signings (with scouting report), Free Agent Scorecard, Roster, and Depth Chart sections of the website.

Giants Complete Second OTA: Although it was not open to the media, the Giants completed their second Organized Team Activity (OTA) practice yesterday. The Giants have eight remaining OTAs: May 29-31 and June 3-7.

OTA practices are voluntary but participation is encouraged. The Giants are currently in the final phase of their offseason workout program. During this final phase, no live contact is permitted, but 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are permissible.

Henry Hynoski - © USA TODAY Sports Images

Henry Hynoski Injures Knee: During today’s first Organized Team Activity (OTA) practice, FB Henry Hynoski was carted off of the field after injuring his left knee. According to WFAN, Hynoski banged knees with RB Andre Brown. Hynoski will undergo an MRI to determine the severity of the injury.

He kind of got (his leg rolled up on) and so we are taking a look at that,” said Head Coach Tom Coughlin. “I said a few prayers and I’ll continue until I hear what it is.”

“I didn’t see it,” said QB Eli Manning. “I handed the ball off and just saw him on the ground after. I don’t know exactly what happened. I haven’t seen the film yet. I don’t know how severe the injury is, so hopefully it’s not too bad and he can be back either for the spring or at least for training camp. I don’t know the results yet.”

Injury Update: Aside from the injury to Hynoski, not practicing today due to rehabilitation from previous injuries and/or surgeries were TE Larry Donnell (lower leg), OC David Baas (elbow), OG Chris Snee (hip), DT Markus Kuhn (knee), and CB Terrell Thomas (knee).

“There’s no hurry. There’s no rush,” said Thomas. “There wasn’t one last year. I was just ahead of schedule last year. This year, we’re kind of just taking it a little bit slower as far as rehab, building the foundation. I’m doing everything already. It’s just doing it a little bit more slower and not in a rush to get out there for OTAs or mini-camp.”

LB Jacquian Williams (knee) was limited to individual drills.

“Just kind of taking my time with it,” Williams said who suffered a PCL injury last season. “It is a day to day thing. It is getting better. Definitely better than it was. That’s all…Right now my focus is just on getting back out there. We had some guys that got released, so older guys have an opportunity to step up. I just take it day by day and see how it goes when I am out there.”

Hakeem Nicks a No-Show for First OTA: Although he has been participating in the offseason program to date, WR Hakeem Nicks did not participate in today’s OTA practice. The OTA practices are “voluntary” but both Head Coach Tom Coughlin and QB Eli Manning sounded surprised that Nicks was not there.

When Coughlin was asked why Nicks was absent, Coughlin responded, “I don’t know. He should be here…Yeah, sure I (expected him to be here). I expect everybody here. We’re trying to get our team better.”

“There was no reason to think he wasn’t going to be here.” said Manning. “You’ve still got to work on your timing. You’ve still got to work on the basics and everybody needs it. I need the basics. How many times have I thrown a hitch in my life? Or a curl route? I’ve still got to do it. I’ve still got to get those things and work them, but it is good to have other guys in there running routes and getting your timing down with other guys. That’s how you look at it, but you’d still like to have all your guys out there. We all need to work. We all need to practice. We all need to improve on things.”

First OTA in the Books: The first Organized Team Activity (OTA) practice was held today. The second will be held tomorrow. For a good overview of today’s session, see Giants OTA #1 Practice Report by Patricia Traina of InsideFootball.com. Video highlights are also available at Giants.com.

The remaining OTA practices will be held on May 29-31 and June 3-7. OTA practices are voluntary but participation is encouraged by Head Coach Tom Coughlin. The Giants are currently in the final phase of their offseason workout program. During this final phase, no live contact is permitted, but 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are permissible.

Giants Sign OG Eric Herman: The Giants have signed 7th round draft pick OG Eric Herman. The only unsigned draft picks now are OL Justin Pugh (1st round) and QB Ryan Nassib (4th round).

Giants May Re-Sign WR Ramses Barden: According to The Daily News, unrestricted free agent WR Ramses Barden will take a physical with the team today and if he passes the physical, the Giants may re-sign him before the end of the day.

The Daily News says the Giants had some interest in re-signing Barden earlier this offseason to a 1-year, veteran minimum-type deal, but Barden wanted to explore other options. With no other teams seriously pursuing him, Barden decided to come back home. The Daily News reports discussions between the Giants and Barden resumed sometime in the last week.

Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s Press Conference: The transcript and video of today’s press conference with Head Coach Tom Coughlin are available at Giants.com.

Player Media Q&As: Transcripts and video clips of today’s media Q&As with the following players are available at Giants.com:

• QB Eli Manning (Video)
• WR Jerrel Jernigan (Video)
• WR Louis Murphy (Video)
• OG Chris Snee (Video)
• DE Justin Tuck (Video)
• LB Aaron Curry (Video)
• CB Terrell Thomas (Video)

Article on the Wide Receiving Corps: Jernigan, Murphy Step Up to the Plate by Kieran Darcy of ESPNNewYork.com

Article on the Defensive Tackles: Giants Unveil New DT Rotation at OTA by Dan Salomone by Giants.com

Articles on the Linebacking Corps:

• LB Dan Connor Competes for Starting Spot by Dan Salomone by Giants.com
• Curry Candid About Disappointing Career Kieran Darcy of ESPNNewYork.com

Johnathan Hankins - © USA TODAY Sports Images

Giants Hold OTA Practices on Wednesday and Thursday: The Giants will hold their first Organized Team Activity (OTA) practices on Wednesday and Thursday this week. The remaining OTA practices will be held on May 29-31 and June 3-7. OTA practices are voluntary but participation is encouraged by Head Coach Tom Coughlin.

The Giants are currently in the final phase of their offseason workout program. This final “phase three” began this week and will culminate three weeks from now with the final OTA practices. No live contact is permitted during “phase three” practices, but 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are permissible.

The Giants will hold a mandatory mini-camp from June 11-13. This will be the last team activity until players report to training camp on July 26.

Article on OL Justin Pugh: NY Giants OL Justin Pugh is Ready to Learn from Teammates by Patricia Traina of Yahoo! Sports

Article on Head Coach Tom Coughlin: Arizona State Coaches Study Coughlin by Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPNNewYork.com

Charles Woodson – Photo by USA Today Sports Images

Giants Make Three Roster Moves: The Giants made three roster moves yesterday. They waived/injured TE Michael Palmer and CB Antonio Dennard. They also signed TE Morgan Newton.

Palmer, an unrestricted free agent from the Falcons, was signed last week after impressing at the rookie mini-camp on a tryout basis. Dennard was signed to a reserve/future deal in January after spending most of 2012 on the Jaguars’ practice squad. Newton, a rookie from Kentucky, was at the mini-camp on a tryout basis.

Because of these moves, we have updated the Transactions, Roster Analysis, Roster, and Depth Chart sections of the website.

Giants Still Interested in CB/S Charles Woodson?: The agent for unrestricted free agent CB/S Charles Woodson said yesterday that the Giants are still interested in his client. “The Giants have just put their toe in the water again for Charles Woodson,” said Woodson’s agent.

In early March, ESPN reported that the Giants, Seahawks, Dolphins, and Jets were interested in Woodson. The Daily News is reporting that back in March, Woodson’s asking price was too high for the Giants. The paper is also now reporting that a Giants’ team source says that there is nothing imminent with Woodson and that no visit has been scheduled.

The 36-year old Woodson was released by the Green Bay Packers in February. He has played 15 seasons in the NFL, including eight with the Raiders and seven with the Packers. Recent reports say the 49ers, Broncos, Panthers, and Raiders have expressed some interest in Woodson.

Giants Still Interested in RB Tim Hightower?: The Washington Post is reporting that the Giants remain in the mix for unrestricted free agent RB Tim Hightower. The Giants have been flirting with Hightower since March and he reportedly visited the team in early May. The Post says the Giants are expected to meet with Hightower again “in a couple weeks.”

Hightower has not played in a regular-season game since tearing an ACL in his left knee in October 2011. The Redskins, who released Hightower in August 2012, are also still interested in him.

Freeney Still Interested in the Giants, But…: Back in late February, unrestricted free agent DE Dwight Freeney (Indianapolis Colts) expressed interest in playing for the Giants. “I grew up a Giants fan, actually,” said Freeney. “All my life. So that would be a dream.”

Freeney’s father indicated yesterday that Freeney would still like to play for the Giants. “Talking to him, he would love to be with the Giants,” said Freeney’s dad. “The Giants unfortunately don’t have the money for it. They’re broke.”

It is not known if the Giants are interested in Freeney.

Cribbs Signs with the Raiders: Unrestricted free agent WR/Returner Josh Cribbs has signed a 1-year contract with the Oakland Raiders. Per an earlier ProFootball.com report, Cribbs’ decision was down to the Raiders, Giants, Jets, or Lions. Cribbs visited the Giants last week.

After he visited Detroit and before he signed with the Raiders, Cribbs said, “I want a team that’s stable and a team that’s on the verge and missing a piece to become a Super Bowl-caliber team. I want to be with the a team that’s missing (a kick returner); that’s missing a piece of the puzzle to be great.”

Giants.com Q&A With S Cooper Taylor: The transcript of a recent Giants.com interview with S Cooper Taylor is available at Giants.com.

Article on LB Aaron Curry: Aaron Curry Optimistic About Giants Career by Michael Eisen of Giants.com

Article on DE Damontre Moore: Moore Ready to Heed Tuck’s Message by Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPNNewYork.com