Giants haven't turned corner on limping secondary

It was the first day of the regular season as far as the Giants were concerned. They spent Monday morning with a quickie practice - their first with a 53-man roster - had some meetings, and started looking ahead to Sunday's opener against the Carolina Panthers. What could be more optimistic than the start of a new season on a crisp September day?

But having two of the top three cornerbacks on the team not practicing certainly put a cloud over things. Corey Webster was riding an exercise bike on the sideline, nursing a groin injury that has been nagging him for several weeks. And Aaron Ross, who was expected to be on the field this week after missing the last two weeks with a torn plantar fascia, was nowhere to be seen.

Day One, and the secondary already is in crisis.

"That's how it started last year," Terrell Thomas, the only healthy starter among the cornerbacks, said about the injuries that crippled the secondary in 2009. "Hopefully it changes."

Maybe crisis is too strong a word. But there certainly is concern. Tom Coughlin spoke about Ross having issues with the inserts trainers are trying to fit into his cleats to help him play through the discomfort of his condition.

"He's better," Coughlin said of Ross. "The reports are good."

As for Webster, there are signs that he'll be back Wednesday. The biggest sign was the coach imploring him to do so. "We'll see," Coughlin said about Webster's time frame. "We have to have him back, though, come Wednesday."

Sunday still is a long time away, but if Webster and Ross are unable to play against the Panthers in the regular-season opener, Bruce Johnson and D.J. Johnson will see a lot of snaps. Neither particularly distinguished himself this preseason, especially not in the third game against the Ravens, when the Giants stuck to a man-to-man look.

That also would leave Thomas, a third-year player, as the elder statesman of the group. Coincidentally, Thomas became a starter just a year ago because, as is the case now, Ross was down with an injury. Now he's the guy the youngsters could be looking to.

"I don't think so," he said about being the most experienced player at the position before reflecting on the reality: "Yes, I am."

What he probably meant is that he would be, but only in a scenario in which Webster and Ross both were out. He doesn't think that will happen.

"I think Corey will be out there," Thomas said. "He's ready to go. I don't think he'll miss this one. I'll be glad to have him out there."

Webster missed the final preseason game with a groin injury, but he's been dealing with it as far back as the second preseason game against the Steelers, when he had it wrapped. He played against the Ravens - mostly because Thomas sat that one out with a calf injury - but spent time on the sideline with another wrap on his upper leg.

Ross spent time with a cast on his foot to help stabilize his injury and missed the final two preseason games.

Despite appearances, Thomas thinks the cornerbacks are getting back to tip-top shape.

"I'm definitely feeling healthy, I think Corey is a lot better," Thomas said. "There was no need to put him out there [Monday], but hopefully he can go on Wednesday. And our young corners got a good shot in the Ravens game and especially the last game . . . so they'll be ready if we need it."

Obviously, the Giants are hoping that they don't.