GIANT NOTES
As the starting defense trotted onto the field yesterday inside the practice bubble, defensive coordinator Johnnie Lynn shouted out, “Hey, don’t hit 80,” a reminder to his players to stay away from Jeremy Shockey.
That warning was more precaution than anything else. The Giants are remarkably healthy heading into Sunday’s season opener against the Rams. Every player other than backup linebacker Nick Greisen (hamstring) participated in practice, and all but Greisen are set to play.
Shockey, who cracked a rib Aug. 15 in a preseason game against the Panthers, worked while wearing a protective jacket under his jersey and Jim Fassel said Shockey will wear similar protection during the game.
Michael Strahan, who missed all four preseason games with a broken right little toe, returned to practice as well. The two major injuries incurred by the Giants this summer were to kicker Mike Hollis (back) and long snapper Ryan Kuehl (elbow). Both were placed on injured reserve and will miss the season.
* As expected, Fassel announced that Jesse Palmer has retained the job as backup quarterback. “I saw him do enough good things and if he gets guys who will catch the ball and run and protect for him he can be productive,” Fassel said . . . After scanning the waiver wire, the Giants are content to stick with rookie Carson Dach as their long snapper.
* The Giants finally learned of the whereabouts of rookie CB Rod Babers, who disappeared after returning with the team following Thursday night’s game in Baltimore. Babers, who was going to be released in the final roster cutdown, missed a team meeting early Saturday morning and the Giants were concerned about his welfare. No one from the team spoke directly with Babers, but they heard through his agent, who spoke with Babers’ family, that he’s headed home to Houston for undetermined reasons. Before this strange incident, Babers had a shot at getting signed to the Giants’ practice squad. The team was granted a roster exemption for Babers.
* The five players signed to the practice squad were with the team in training camp. The most notable is TE Darnell Dinkins. Also signed were C Omar Smith, DE Radell Lockhart, WR Derek Dorris and T Dion Meredith . . . The players seemed relieved to finally be practicing for a game that matters. “The offseason seemed like it went by incredibly fast,” S Shaun Williams said. “It seems like we were just here last week talking about the 49ers.”
