Giants look healthy leading up to season-opener

How did those injury-riddled Giants look Wednesday? As healthy as they've been since the start of training camp. They might even be the healthiest team in the league right now. There are 22 starting positions on the field and the Giants aren't missing any of them.

All of those nagging strains and sore muscles that had players sidelined over the last few weeks were put aside as the Giants began preparing for Sunday's opener against the Panthers. Even Aaron Ross, who has missed the last two-and-a-half weeks with a torn plantar fascia, was on the field catching punts and participating in individual drills. He, C Shaun O'Hara (Achilles/ankle) and LB Gerris Wilkinson (groin) were listed as limited in the workout. CB Corey Webster (groin), LB Chase Blackburn (knee) and DT Chris Canty (groin) all participated fully.

Smith backs off

Earlier this summer, Panthers WR Steve Smith was quoted saying he would be "going after" Giants safety Michael Johnson in the opener. It was Johnson's hit that broke Smith's forearm and ended his season. But Wednesday Smith backed away from that call-out. "I just need to have more respect for my opponent," a contrite Smith said. "What I said in the summer was shallow, ignorant, immature and really of no need."