No Albany training camp for Giants
Giants offensive linemen Rich Seubert, Kareem McKenzie and Chris Snee stretch together during training camp at the University at Albany. (Oct. 24, 2011) Credit: Jon Winslow
The Giants announced Friday they will not hold training camp at the University at Albany, their summer base since 1996, because of logistical problems related to the NFL lockout. All their preseason training will be at their permanent training facility next to New Meadowlands Stadium.
"In light of current circumstances, it simply became impractical for us to hold camp away from home," Giants president and CEO John Mara said in a statement from the team. "The University at Albany and the Capital Region has been a great summer home for us for 15 years, and we have every intention of returning there in 2012."
Even if the CBA is settled within the next week, the Giants said there is not enough time to transport equipment, weights, medical supplies and other team necessities to Albany. Coach Tom Coughlin also believes practice time will be more efficient at the Giants' home base because players have not had the benefit of organized team activities during the offseason and because the front office must move quickly to sign its own free agents, explore the market to bring in new players and sign undrafted college players.
Contemplating the possibility of this move a month ago before watching a game at Yankee Stadium, Coughlin said: "Thank goodness for our new facility. I keep saying we've got a beautiful grass field, and nobody runs around on it. We'll be ready for that."
The Jets announced June 24 they will practice at their facility in Florham Park, N.J. instead of SUNY Cortland. Citing the economic impact of the cancellation of training camp, the New York State attorney general's office Thursday announced plans to launch an antitrust investigation into the NFL lockout, which was ruled legal earlier Friday by the Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
"We remain concerned about the economic impact of the NFL lockout on New Yorkers and will continue to do everything in our power to protect families and businesses across the state," state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said in a statement.
