by Tom Rock , T-Rock's Take on the Giants

I guess I'm feeling a little guilty for not being around during the rookie minicamp because I'm shaking all of the loose stories out of my notebook and onto the blog this evening. In addition to the posts below about Peter Giunta and Barry Cofield and C.C. Brown and Mike Sullivan, here are a few other notes and tidbits that came out of today's talks:

Kevin Gilbride basically said that losing Plaxico cost the Giants their season last year. "Losing Plax was huge," he said. "He's a special talent and it doesn't take a brain surgeon to see what our record was after he left. The difference in the club was discernable to anyone who watched us." Interestingly, when asked about losing Amani, Gilbride wasn't nearly as broken up about it.

Gilbride did say that as of now, Domenik Hixon and Steve Smith will be the starting receivers. He said Smith has earned the right with his play in the slot to be given a chance on th eoutside. When the Giants go to a three-receiver set, though, Smith will move inside and Sinorice Moss goes onto the field.

Bill Sheridan spoke about being a defensive coordinator for the first time at the rookie minicamp. "The biggest thing that I have to make myself do is take my eyes off the linebackers because I am just so used to taking them in every snap. I found myself coaching them all of the time. And for as simple as our installation was this minicamp, (LB coach Jim Herrmann) could handle that, no problem. But Im sure I was stepping all over his toes, just out of habit alone, just seeing those guys and wanting to coach them every single down. But that is one thing that I have to force myself to do is take a bigger picture and take in some of the other guys."

Since he paid such attention to the linebackers, it seemed obvious to ask him about Clint Sintim. "He definitely has a natural pass rush ability," Sheridan said. "He has some shake to him and he did a really nice job. He is going to be a very good outside linebacker as well because he is such a big thick kid."

Asked about a backup center since Grey Ruegamer is not returning, offensive line coach Pat Flaherty said he'd work with starting guards Rich Seubert and Chris Snee as well as backup Adam Koets. "Adam Koets is the candidate that we want to get a lot of work this spring in the OTAs and going into training camp at the center position," he said.

RBs coach Jerald Ingram said the only thing Ahmad Bradhsaw needs to do to become a No. 2 back for the Giants is "get a chance to play." "He is a little man that plays big. Very big. The first guy hardly ever brings him down. He has the ability to make people miss. He has that tough mentality. He just had to learn how to be as versatile as he can be within our offense, being able to pick up linebackers. We feel good that he stands tall with them as well as cuts them down and not always cut them down. Also being able to show his receiving skills, because he can catch the ball out of the backfield. I think any way that the ball gets in his hands, I think he is always trying to find a way to be productive. And he is a tough guy and we love that kind of attitude."

Special teams coordinator Tom Quinn said he tried some of the rookies out for return jobs and mentioned Stoney Woodson as a possible punt returner and said he even tried Hakeem Nicks returning kickoffs.

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