Preseason may be QB Sorgi's only chance to play

ALBANY - When you back up a Manning, the preseason is sometimes all you can hope for.

"It's your chance to shine," said backup quarterback Jim Sorgi, who was Peyton Manning's understudy for six years in Indianapolis (and played in just 16 games during that time) before coming to the Giants to be the Emergency Eli. Neither of the Mannings have ever missed an NFL game since becoming a starter. "They'd have to cart them off the field," Sorgi said of what it would take to replace either of them.

But in preseason, it's a much different story. On Monday night, Eli Manning will run a few plays, maybe a series or two, and then willingly hand the reins over to Sorgi. He said he's ready.

"This is a huge opportunity," he said. "It's my first game running this offense and it's a game against the Jets, who have a great defense. I'm excited, anxious, a little butterflies, but that will all go away."

So too, the Giants hope, will his chances to play once the regular season begins.

Thomas: 'We all watch'

Most of the Giants players, coaches and staff have been conspicuously mum on the subject of the Jets' starring role in "Hard Knocks" this season, insisting that they are not watching. But CB Terrell Thomas said he tuned in.

"I've got no reason to lie," he said. "It was entertaining. Some people say they don't [watch], but it's football. We all watch. It's that time of the year. We watch NFL Network and anything we can."

Thomas said that watching Rex Ryan reminded him of his coach at USC, Pete Carroll.

"It's a different outlook of coaching," he said. "I had that type of coach when I played for Coach Carroll, just real laid back. Coach Coughlin is a little bit more straightforward."

Giant steps

Despite missing practice on Thursday, Thomas said he would like to play Monday night against the Jets. "I think it's going to be a big game opening the stadium," he said. "Hopefully, I can." . . . G Chris Snee said his left knee is "feeling better" but he has no timetable for a return . . . CB Corey Webster (glute) did some running on the side during the team's jog-through Friday morning.