Day 2 of Mini-Camp; Giants Disappointed to Have Lost Jake Ballard

Day 2 of Mini-Camp: The Giants completed the second day of their 3-day, full-squad mini-camp yesterday. The last practice will be held today.

For an overview of yesterday’s practice, see the following report:

• The Star-Ledger (Practice Report)

A “sights and sounds” video of yesterday’s practice is available at Giants.com.

Injury Report: Not practicing yesterday were HB Ahmad Bradshaw (foot), WR Hakeem Nicks (foot), TE Travis Beckum (knee), DT Chris Canty (knee), DT Shaun Rogers (elbow), LB Clint Sintim (knee), CB Corey Webster (hamstring), CB Terrell Thomas (knee), and S Tyler Sash (hamstring).

LT Will Beatty (back) and S Kenny Phillips (knee) were limited to individual drills.

Giants Disappointed to Have Lost Ballard: Giants’ officials and players were disappointed to lose TE Jake Ballard to the New England Patriots on Tuesday. The Giants had waived/injured Ballard on Monday and had expected him to clear waivers so they could add him to the Physically-Unable-to-Perform (PUP) List.

“It was kind of a shock to everybody,’’ TE Bear Pascoe said.

“I figured it was for a roster spot but we have 90 guys here now, a lot of ‘em aren’t going to make the team,’’ TE Travis Beckum said. “I’m assuming they did it for a roster spot and with Jake’s injury, knowing that he wasn’t going to be able to play next year they figured they could put him on waivers and bring him back, no team would pick him up.’’

“You hope he’s not being used to spite the Giants,” said OC Jim Cordle.

Head Coach Tom Coughlin was asked if he was discouraged losing Ballard. “‘Discouraged’ is a minor description; very disappointing,” said Coughlin. “I’m not going to have a lot to say about that one – just the fact that we are disappointed; very disappointed…I certainly thought (he could make an impact for us in 2013), for sure. So did everybody. The whole building felt that way. Everyone did. It is obvious that it was a calculated risk and it didn’t work.”

“Yes we thought that he would clear,” said General Manager Jerry Reese. “It’s rare but it’s not the first time something like that has happened. It’s disappointing for us that we didn’t get him back. He did a tremendous job for us and we hope he gets well soon and that he can finish his career, whether it’s with New England or whatever team he ends up with. It was disappointing, but that does happen, every blue moon.”

Reese was asked if he was upset with the Patriots for claiming the injured Ballard. “No, absolutely not,” Reese said. “There is no reason for us to have hard feelings about it. When you put a guy on the wire, he’s free game for anybody. There are no hard feelings for us. They think that they can salvage the situation, so we will see what happens. We only wish the best for Jake.”

Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s Wednesday Press Conference: The transcript and video of yesterday’s press conference with Head Coach Tom Coughlin 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:

• WR Jerrel Jernigan (Video)
• TE Bear Pascoe (Video)
• TE Travis Beckum (Video)

Article on WR Jerrel Jernigan: WR Jernigan Primed to Step Up by Dan Salomone of Giants.com

Articles on the Giants’ Tight Ends:

• Who Will Step Up at TE Position? by Michael Eisen of Giants.com
• Giants’ Travis Beckum Thrilled to Have Added 20 Pounds to His Frame by Mike Garafolo of The Star-Ledger

Article on DT Chris Canty: Giants’ Chris Canty Says His Knee Was ’80 Percent’ for Stretch Run Last Season by Mike Garafolo of The Star-Ledger

Article on DE/LB Adrian Tracy: LB Adrian Tracy Makes His Mark by Dan Salomone of Giants.com