Giants gathering strength for Lions game

The Giants are very healthy. Good thing with the Lions coming to town.

I should clarify that they are healthy in key positions. Most of the injured players at today’s practice are bit players or role guys. Allow me to take you through the list of those who did not work today: Victor Cruz, Madison Hedgecock, Brian Jackson, Mathias Kiwanuka, D.J. Ware. Now, I know Hedgecock and Kiwanuka are starters and not role players. But they are also unlikely to play this week anyway.

It’s the guys who were limited yesterday or who came back after sitting out yesterday who are making the Giants healthy. Keith Bulluck, Shaun O’Hara and Kenny Phillips were all limited on Wednesday and all back on the field today. That’s a very good sign for O’Hara, who said he would have to wait and see how he felt this morning after his first taste of working to decide if he could go today. Guess he was feeling good.

And Osi Umenyiora, who did not practice at all yesterday, was back on the field today. He looked quick as the defensive linemen were participating in a drill where they try to be the first one to come off the ball and sprint five yards. Osi won at least one of the rounds I was watching.

Barry Cofield said on Sunday that Osi is like Willis Reed and that he likes the attention he gets for playing hurt. Difference: Reed inspired but did not perform. Osi has been a monster the last two weeks.