BY PAUL SCHWARTZ
ALBANY â Once again, it was the reserve corps of receivers out on the field for the morning practice, with such luminaries as Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer and rookie Mario Manningham not available because of injuries. That allowed roster hopefuls Brandon London and Michael Johnson to excel.
London made a beautiful leaping grab of a David Carr pass, rising above CB Kevin Dockery. Later, in the two-minute drill, London and Carr again hooked up over the middle.
Jennings had a great shot to make the team last year but that dream ended when he tore up his knee. He’s back at it this summer but faces long odds. He surely helped himself when he ran a nice route to completely turn around CB Aaron Ross. Jennings also rose much higher than a 5-11 athlete should be able to rise to make a leaping catch. Jennings hit the grass hard and actually fell on the ball, but he held on despite what looked to be a painful shoulder.
Toomer and RB Derrick Ward were not at practice, as they went to New York to be examined by the Giants medical staff. Both players are bothered by knee problems.
Other morning practice notables:
LT David Diehl missed his second practice of camp and the second practice of his career with sore ribs.
K Lawrence Tynes also missed practice. Tom Coughlin said Tynes hurt his foot when he planted his foot and landed awkwardly the other day.
S Michael Johnson made a good pass breakup to deflect the ball away from Steve Smith.
On the best play of the day, Carr unloaded deep to WR Sinorice Moss and Moss outran CB Darren Barnett to make the catch for the touchdown. Moss celebrated with a leaping hip-bump with London.
CB R.W. McQuarters, who was excused from practice the past two days to attend to personal matters, is expected back tonight. McQuarters became a new father and now has a daughter.
