Kevin Boss and Kevin Boothe To Undergo Surgery

Kevin Boss and Kevin Boothe To Undergo Surgery; Team Injury Update: We are not even out of May yet and it appears the injury bug is already stinging the Giants again. The team revealed yesterday that TE Kevin Boss (right ankle) and OG/OC Kevin Boothe (pectoral muscle) are scheduled to undergo surgery early next week.

The Giants said Boss will undergo arthroscopic surgery and that the recovery time is expected to be 4-6 weeks. Boss originally injured the ankle in week four of the 2009 season. Boss had hoped to avoid offseason surgery but he aggravated the ankle injury earlier this week during an OTA practice. “I was maybe a little too optimistic thinking I could get through another season,” Boss said. “We did a few things to try to help alleviate some of the pain and it didn’t help as much as I was hoping. So we’re just going to go in and clean it out. I’ll be more than ready for training camp.”

Boothe tore his pectoral muscle earlier this week while working out. He is expected to miss approximately four months, including all of training camp.

A number of other Giants have been sidelined during the Organized Team Activity (OTA) practices as they continue to rehabilitate from injuries suffered last year. The players include: S Kenny Phillips (knee), HB Ahmad Bradshaw (both feet, one ankle), WR Hakeem Nicks (wrist, toe), and DT Rocky Bernard (shoulder). The Giants say Bradshaw and Nicks are expected to return to the practice field within the next two weeks.

“The goal is for (me to return by) training camp,” Phillips said. “We’re just going to take our time. There’s no reason to rush it. I feel good, I feel proud of my progress so far. I could probably go out there right now but it’s more realistic for me to wait until training camp…I’m running full-speed straight ahead, and doing some cutting. I have no swelling, no pain at all, no anything. I really can’t wait to get out there and start playing with these guys, and contributing to the team.”

The good news is that the following players – all of whom were injured last year – did practice: HB Brandon Jacobs (knee), HB Andre Brown (Achilles), FB Madison Hedgecock (shoulder), WR Mario Manningham (shoulder), OC Shaun O’Hara (elbow), LG Rich Seubert (shoulder), DE Justin Tuck (shoulder), DT Jay Alford (knee), and LB Gerris Wilkinson (wrist).

New York Giants and Steve Smith Talking Contract: WR Steve Smith yesterday revealed that his agent and the Giants are in discussions regarding a long-term contract extension for Smith. Smith is currently under contract through the 2010 season.

May 21, 2010 New York Giants OTA Reports: The Star-Ledger provided a brief media report from Friday’s OTA practice.

Florida Times-Union Q&A With Head Coach Tom Coughlin: Winding Down? Not Tom Coughlin; Q&A With the New York Giants Head Coach by Gene Frenette of the Florida Times-Union

Article on Defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell and the Giants’ Defense: Fewell is the Catalyst to Spark Revival of Giants’ Defense by Bucky Brooks of NFL.com

Article on DE Justin Tuck: Tuck: Shoulder Is Stronger Every Day by Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPNNewYork.com

Articles on DT Barry Cofield:

• Cofield Hopes Big Year Leads To Huge Deal by Paul Schwartz of The New York Post
• Giants’ Barry Cofield Grasping The ‘Business’ Side Of The NFL After Near-Trade by Michael Garafolo of The Star-Ledger

Notes and Quotes: The starting middle linebacker at the first Organized Team Activity (OTA) practice on Tuesday was Jonathan Goff.

WR Steve Smith on WR Ramses Barden: “I see him getting on the field this year and catching some TDs in the red zone and making some plays for us. He was a third-round pick, so I’m assuming they want to get him on the field to see what he can do.”

Smith on WR Hakeem Nicks: “Man, just an even better season. He just scratched the surface last season. We’ve seen what he can do, especially after the catch. He’s so good at that. I think he’s on a mission to put up even bigger numbers next season.”

Smith on which Giant he thinks will have a breakout season this year: “I would say Ahmad Bradshaw, because I think the WRs will all progress, but Bradshaw is ready to take his game to another level. He had his ankles and feet worked on, and he has enough talent and enough ability to make some big plays for us.”

Smith on his favorite route: “I would say a slug-go. That’s a slant-and-go. You can get the defender on his toes and make him guess. It’s difficult to defend, and fun to run. When I hear slug-go in the huddle, I’m licking my chops, hoping for one-on-one coverage!”