GIANTS: After missing a week of practice with ankle and knee injuries, New York wide receiver Plaxico Burress participated in a walkthrough Saturday.
“I think he’s a little bit better today,” coach Tom Coughlin told pool reporter Mike Sando of ESPN.com. “He gets a little bit better each day, and hopefully we’ll be able to have some further improvement tomorrow.”
The 50-minute walkthrough began with abbreviated stretching, followed by special teams, defense and offense sessions. Team president John Mara and general manager Jerry Reese watched the workout at the Arizona Cardinals’ headquarters.
“We’re excited and we’re ready to go,” Coughlin said. “It’s been a nice week in terms of working up to (the game) and we find ourselves right here, so we’re looking forward to it.”
Lt. Col. Greg Gadson, who lost both legs to a roadside bomb in Iraq, watched the Giants’ practice with his son, Jaelen. Gadson has served as an inspirational figure this season for the Giants. The elder Gadson served as an honorary Giants team captain, along with Hall of Famer Harry Carson, for the NFC title game.
PATRIOTS: New England fans shouldn’t worry if the Patriots don’t score in the first 15 minutes today. The Patriots did not score in the first quarter of their three Super Bowl victories. They scored 14 points in the first quarter against Green Bay in the 1997 Super Bowl and three against the Chicago Bears in the 1986 game — and lost both times.
New England signed defensive lineman Santonio Thomas on Saturday. Thomas played in four games for the Patriots this season and has been on their practice squad since Oct. 29. The 26-year-old Thomas spent much of the 2005 and 2006 seasons on the practice squad.
INJURY REPORT: The Giants listed wide receiver Plaxico Burress (questionable, ankle, knee), cornerback Kevin Dockery (probable, hip flexor), guard Rich Seubert (probable, knee) and defensive end Osi Umenyiora (probable, thigh). The Patriots listed quarterback Tom Brady (probable, right shoulder).
WEATHER: Forecasters say there is a 60 percent chance of rain in Glendale, Ariz., today, with the temperature expected to reach 58. Good thing University of Phoenix Stadium has a retractable roof.
TOMLINSON HONORED: San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson won the Bart Starr Award for serving as a positive role model to his family, teammates and community.
Tomlinson’s Touching Lives Foundation promotes youth football camps, and it helps provide Thanksgiving meals for needy San Diego families and Christmas gifts for sick children. It also presents scholarships to 30 college-bound students each year.
Named after NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr, the award is voted on by NFL players at the end of the regular season. Other finalists were Chicago wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad and Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner.
Associated Press
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