Calhoun moves up Giants' depth chart after injury to Barden
Giants rookie wide receiver Duke Calhoun runs a play on the first day of training camp in Albany, N.Y. (Aug. 1, 2010) Credit: AP
When the Giants took the field for practice Thursday, they had their full allotment of wide receivers. By the time their game ended Sunday night, they were down to three healthy targets, one of whom has never had an NFL pass thrown in his direction.
"We need those three to stay healthy," Eli Manning said, half-joking.
Steve Smith, the Pro Bowler, should be back this season, but second-year receiver Ramses Barden most likely will not. He suffered "significant" ligament damage and a fractured ankle when leaping for a pass in the corner of the end zone against the Cowboys and probably will be placed on injured reserve this week. That will leave a huge opening on the roster for a new receiver, and the Giants are expected to have the NFL equivalent of a casting call during workouts Tuesday.
Asked about the sudden dearth of receivers, Tom Coughlin said there is a chance the Giants will sign another player. It sounded like a very strong chance.
"We'll have to do some work on that," he said.
Whomever they sign, there will be a challenge to get him up to speed quickly. Until then, the Giants will have to rely on Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham, both starting-caliber players, and rookie Duke Calhoun, who made the team as an undrafted special teamer this summer.
"We do have some new individuals who are being fitted in here who we have to get acclimated to the game, to build the trust factor between, for example, the quarterback and the receiver," Coughlin said. "That we've got to accomplish right away."
The Manning-Calhoun relationship is a lot older than many realize. Calhoun was a standout at the Manning Passing Academy in Louisiana several years ago, and Manning has said he recalled Calhoun's performance there. But with the Giants, most of their work together has been running one-on-one routes after practice and going over video.
"Not a whole lot," Manning said, although he said he is optimistic about Calhoun.
"We've been giving him playing time these last couple of weeks. He's earned that privilege. A lot of it is on running plays, just kind of getting the rookie's feet wet a little bit. But he can run routes, he's got good hands, he's fast. He's going to be thrown to the wolves a little bit, but he's got to step up and he's got to play well for us."
Calhoun said he's up for the challenge, although he did say that learning the Giants' offense after playing at Memphis last year is "like going from kindergarten straight to 12th grade."
"I've been waiting my turn, so now it's my time to step up and play my role," Calhoun said. "Coach always told me, 'Duke, you're one play away.' I've been preparing for it. I just have to go in there and fill those shoes."
Smith injured his partially torn right pectoral when he hit the ground catching a pass in practice Thursday. That moved Barden up on the depth chart to No. 3, and he seemed to be ready for it. He had three catches for 34 yards Sunday before his injury. Monday, he was wearing a hard cast on his left ankle and walking on crutches.
Now Calhoun is the third guy. And, at least as of Monday, the last guy. Is he ready for that?
"He has to be," Coughlin said. "He has to be."
