Thomas' promises draw ire from Scott

ALBANY - Training camp is the time for players to work on all aspects of their game. This week, some of the Jets and Giants have been refining their chirping and trash-talking.

Although it's the first preseason game, chippy words have been passed between the two teams. Giants CB Terrell Thomas said earlier this week that his team is hearing what the Jets are saying and is ready to put an end to it. That prompted Jets LB Bart Scott to levy this question: Who is Terrell Thomas?

Yesterday Thomas said it didn't bother him that Scott claimed he had never heard of him. And he said his original comments were taken a bit too seriously anyway . . . although he did not back away from them.

"I don't think my words were harsh in any way," he said. "Plain and simple, we hear what they're saying, how they're taking over New York. And were taking notes on that. They're talking about how 'It's our town.' OK, we're going to play [tomorrow] and back it up."

Dodge is holding his own

Matt Dodge has been remarkable inconsistent punting the ball in training camp. But there is one aspect to his game that he's excelling at, and that is holding for kicker Lawrence Tynes. Considering Dodge had never done it before at any level, it's a pleasant surprise.

"I never in a million years thought Matt would do this good a job of holding based on where I thought he was in OTAs," Tynes said. "That's been a real positive for me."

Giant steps

Tom Coughlin changed yesterday's scheduled practice to a walk-through because he did not want any more players to be injured and unavailable for tomorrow's game . . . WR Steve Smith (groin) and TE Kevin Boss (hamstring) are both expected to return to practice when the team comes back to finish camp in Albany on Wednesday. Neither will play tomorrow.