When the Giants open training camp in Albany on Sunday, safety Kenny Phillips — whose importance became apparent last season when his injury forced the Giants to use, if memory serves, stadium vendors in their secondary — will be on the Physically Unable to Perform list. He’s still recovering from microfracture surgery on his knee, and can only handle, in Tom Coughlin’s words, “extended exercise,” though Coughlin hopes that will only last a week.
In other, happier news, the team has signed David Tyree to a one-day contract so he can retire with the Giants. Tyree, of course, made the infamous helmet catch in Super Bowl XLII, but on the occasion of his retirement, let’s not forget that he also caught a touchdown earlier in that game. (The team also signed Ike Hilliard to a one-day contract so he, too, can retire as a Giant, though despite ending his career fifth on the franchise receptions list, he won’t go down in team lore quite like Tyree.)
Meanwhile, Jets camp also opens on Sunday (with HBO cameras rolling!), and though Darrelle Revis reportedly hasn’t decided whether he’ll hold out if he doesn’t get a reworked contract to his liking, he’s “leaning heavily in that direction,” according to the Post. (Both sides appear to be waiting for the other to give in, which is exactly when holdouts like this happen.)
And the Jets, too, are close to bringing back a former player, but not for a token one-day contract: Laveranues Coles — who’s already served two tours of duty with the Jets — will work out for the team today with the expectation, according to the News’ source, of signing a one-year deal for the veteran minimum (though his role once Santonio Holmes returns from suspension is unclear).