Day Two of New York Giants Rookie Mini-Camp

Day Two of New York Giants Rookie Mini-Camp: Day two of the three-day rookie mini-camp is in the books. Today’s final day of the mini-camp is closed to the press.

For rookie mini-camp practice reports, see:

• The Star-Ledger (Morning Report)
• The Star-Ledger (Afternoon Report)

For video from the mini-camp, see:

• Giants.com Rookie Mini-Camp Practice Highlights (Video)
• Giants.com Rookie Mini-Camp Report (Video)

Fewell Talks Linebackers: Defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell was asked about the Giants’ linebacking corps yesterday, and specifically the middle linebacker position.

“We are in the classroom, obviously, right now trying to get a feel for what our new addition – Keith Rivers – what he knows about our defense and how much he can understand and learn about our defense,” said Fewell. “And then we are just giving the young guys more opportunity to hear us talk about the calls and the communications of our defense. And so I sense that we are going to put (the starting middle linebacker spot) up for grabs. Whoever can take the bull by the horns and lead us will have the opportunity to step up and play. Obviously he will have to do it on the football field, too. But moreso in the classroom – being a leader in the classroom and knowing exactly how to set the front and get the coverage squared away.”

Fewell was asked if teams need a big middle linebacker in today’s game. “I don’t think college football allows you to have a big anchor middle linebacker anymore because of the way college football plays,” replied Fewell. “And I don’t think the NFL requires that as much anymore because a lot of these teams are one back spread teams. They throw the ball all over the place. We talk in terms of being a two-down Mike and then having the third down linebacker. What is a two-down Mike? So we might have to redefine that a little bit as we continue to evaluate what offenses are doing the NFL.”

General Manager Jerry Reese said earlier this offseason that Michael Boley was a candidate for the middle spot. “Oh yeah, I think Michael Boley has the ability to do that,” said Fewell. “Is that his best position? I don’t think that is his best position in the long run. But, yes, he definitely has the ability to do that.”

For now, heading into training camp, Chase Blackburn will start in the middle. “Chase goes back to that role,” said Fewell. “(Mark) Herzlich will have an opportunity to compete for that role. Greg Jones will have an opportunity to compete for that role. And we are not opposed to putting Keith Rivers – giving him the opportunity to compete for that role, also. So there is going to be competition.”

Fewell also said the linebackers could impact the Giants’ three-safety package. “We are just going to wait and see,” said Fewell. “Obviously we like that particular package and we don’t want to lose that package. We think that is valuable for us. But with the additions of these linebackers that we have, we can be a little bit more creative we think. And so we just have to find out who goes where, who can learn the best. And then we will take it from there.”

Injury Update on DT Marvin Austin: DT Marvin Austin missed all of 2011 with a torn pectoral muscle that required surgery. Austin also missed his final season at North Carolina as he was kicked off of his college team after being ruled permanently ineligible by the NCAA for illegal contact with an agent.

Yesterday, Austin told The Daily News that he’s “fully back,” and he has full strength and range of motion in his chest. “I”m strong as an ox,” said Austin.

“I think (being away from the game for two years) drives him a little bit more, because Marvin is a very hungry young player,” said Defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell. “Now, the concern is, ‘Wow, he hasn’t seen this block or that block, or experienced this in such a long time that he is rusty.’ But, again, we are going to try to give him as many reps as we possibly can in the preseason to knock that rust off. If you can play football, you can play football. And I think Marvin is a good football player.”

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

Media Q&A With Defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell: The transcript and video of yesterday’s media Q&A session with Defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell are available at Giants.com.

Player Media Q&A’s: Video clips of yesterday’s media Q&A sessions with the following players are available at Giants.com:

• HB David Wilson (Video)
• FB/RB Joe Martinek (Video)
• OT/OG Brandon Mosley (Video)
• DT Markus Kuhn (Video)
• S Janzen Jackson (Video)

Giants.com Q&A With CB Jayron Hosley: The video of Friday’s Giants.com Q&A with CB Jayron Hosley is available at Giants.com.

Articles on TE Adrien Robinson:

• Giants Rookie Robinson the ‘JPP of TEs’ by Ebenezer Samuel of The Daily News
• Giants See More in TE Adrien Robinson Than a Lack of Catches in College by Mike Garafolo of The Star-Ledger

Article on WR Julian Talley: Is WR Talley the Next Victor Cruz? by Dan Salomone of Giants.com

Article on S Janzen Jackson: Giants Take Flier on Jackson by Paul Schwartz of The New York Post

Quotes: Defensive Perry Fewell on DT Shaun Rogers: “I have watched him throughout his career. When he was in Detroit I saw him pick up a fumble and run down the field as a big man. Then he went to Cleveland – the first year in Cleveland I think he was with Romeo Crennel. He had a year where he could have been the Defensive Player of the Year. And then we obviously evaluated him off the film from last year with the New Orleans Saints. And I thought he ran well. I thought he was a load in there; a big man that can push the pocket in the pass game. You better put two people on him, okay. And that helps us; that helps our defensive ends. That helps us as a pass rush team. And then a big anchor as far as the run game is concerned. You have to take two. He can swallow up a hole. So he has got to get himself into football shape. We really like what we evaluated and we hope he is motivated enough to come in and provide us with that dominant guy up front.”

Fewell on CB Brandon Bing: “He is not a surprise because he worked and he is enthusiastic. He worked last year on the practice squad. And then coming into this camp he is showing what he can do. We are excited about him competing for one of those jobs this spring as well as this fall. He has picked up where he left off from practice from the playoffs, etc. So, yes, he has performed very well.”