“I’ll wear it that day and put it away,” he said. “I’ll probably never wear it again. That’s just the competitor in me. I want to have my own. I thank my teammates for it and everything, but it’s a goal that I want to reach on my own.”

The Giants are apparently excited with his rehab, as they rewarded his past production by giving him a four year deal that can be worth over $28 million. Many have speculated whether he’ll be 100 percent enough to hold off Prince Amukamara for the starting corner job opposite Corey Webster. Thomas is not one of those people.

“I am [the starter], I don’t care what they say. It’s just my mentality. As a rookie I said I was going to be a starter. I just worked my butt off and finally became one. Especially at the corner position you’ve got to be confident in that manner in my opinion. I can’t be sitting here saying, ‘Well, we’ll see.’”

Both Thomas and Amukamara are health concerns entering camp, but the two will definitely be competing for that starting job. Thomas has the aforementioned knee recovery and Amukamara had an injection to help recover from his broken foot he suffered in training camp last season. Both are question marks to attend mandatory workouts starting in June, but they should be ready by Albany’s camp this season.

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“It ain’t that we don’t care. We just understand it’s a part of the game, and why make it bigger than what it is? You can add fuel to a fire and make it huge. Right now, it’s just smoke, you don’t even see the flames yet. So we’d like to keep it that way.”

The Osi situation has gotten out of control before, and it certainly is not that way now, but he has taken us on a roller coaster ride this off season. First he said he would stay quiet this off season, then he broke that promise saying he wanted and deserved an extension, then he said he wants nothing to do with a short term extension, then he referred to himself as a greedy pig in response to Jerry Reese‘s comments after the draft, and finally he said Reese was “his guy” in a tweet recently.

At this point, it’s anyone’s guess how he is feeling. He is sending a message by not showing up to team workouts, though none have been mandatory as of yet.

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Jones, who has not stopped trying to pursue his dream of stepping foot on an NFL field, has been rehabbing and building his strength with the team.  However, he has not been cleared for football activities.  Jones has endured twelve surgeries on his left leg, all the while hoping to one day contribute on the field for the team that drafted him.

The Giants have supported Jones, and GM Jerry Reese maintains that even though Jones has been waived Jones remains a member of the Giants family.  Regardless of whether Jones ever plays football for the Giants, he has made a remarkable recovery and has shown a determination that should serve as an inspiration to many.

Jones is not giving up on his dream to play professional football.  After the accident Jones had to learn how to walk again, a painful endeavor.  He has progressed enough so that he can run but he cannot, as yet, perform the functions necessary for a football player.

The Giants have been hopeful and optimistic that Jones will one day make a full recovery and join the team on the field just as Jones has been determined to get himself out on a football field.  Right now Jones will continue to rehab and continue to try to get his body in football shape.  The Giants decided to waive Jones, at least for the current moment to free up roster space so that they could sign three players who were invited to their rookie mini-camp.

The three players the Giants signed were safety Will Hill from Florida, Southeast Louisiana receiver Brandon Collins, and Georgia State linebacker Jake Muasau.  Hopefully, one day, the Giants will sign Jones to a contract and he can contribute to the team while living out his dream of playing professional football.

Yesterday, Osi tweeted, “Happy Mother’s Day Lesean Mccoy!  Enjoy your special day!”  Osi is fairly new to Twitter, having joined less than a month ago.  However, he has learned trash talking goes well beyond the field in the 21^st Century.  I guess the whole thing about leaving it all on the field doesn’t apply anymore.  At least not to Osi.  Maybe, he just couldn’t resist.  Maybe the draw of modern technology was too much for him.  Whatever the reason I find it interesting that the man who said to let the action on the field do the talking is now talking off of it.  What makes it even more interesting is Osi is also the one sparring with his own general manager, Jerry Reese.

The last two years have been very interesting with Osi and his comments.  Now, with Osi on Twitter, things might be getting even more interesting.  At least is making for a somewhat interesting offseason thus far.  I can’t wait to see what happens when the season actually begins.  I know the week leading up to the first Giants-Eagles game, which takes place in Philadelphia on Sept. 30^th should be a fun-filled one, especially in the Twitter world.

Hosley was met with equal or more skepticism, but not due to his ability. Most agree he should have been a second round pick, but he reportedly tested positive for marijuana at the NFL Combine. Hearing Jerry Reese and director of college scouting Marc Ross rave about Hosley makes you ignore any doubts about his ability.

Not only were these two players teammates in college, but they were roommates and good friends. There are already expectations, but with them pushing each other they will surprise a lot of people in 2012.

None of Reese’s first picks have made an immediate impact with the Giants in their first year. Yes, most of them got playing time as rookies, but the impressive stats usually did not come until year two.

Maybe Wilson more so than Hosley, but I expect both players to have a huge impact this season. Hosley and Wilson were No. 1 and 2 punt returners at mini-camp this weekend, and Wilson should have little competition for the backup running back spot.

If Hosley is as feisty and competitive as Reese and Tom Coughlin said, he has a chance to be the team’s third or fourth corner right off the bat. The Giants love to use as many corners rotating as possible to keep them fresh. Hosley led all of college football with nine interceptions during an All-American 2010 campaign. As teams threw to him less, he only had three interceptions in his junior season.

Knowing the opportunity is there, having a familiar face in the locker next to them and pushing each other to excellence will allow the former Hokies to shine.

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The Giants could probably use another veteran offensive lineman to help give some depth. The Giants brought in Jamaal Jackson but he decided to retire. I think a good option if he comes cheaply would be Vernon Carey. Carey can play either guard or tackle and he knows how to play. He’s fought off injuries over the past few seasons, but he could be a nice veteran option coming off of the bench. I don’t think they will bring back Kareem McKenzie. I don’t believe the Giants would go down that road again and they probably feel that he doesn’t have much left to give.

Safety is another area the Giants may look to add someone. The Giants added two undrafted free agents at that position but I feel like Deon Grant will find his way back to the Giants. Grant has done a great job in the past few years as the third safety. Grant knows the system and is a great veteran presence in the back end. The only other player I could see them going after is maybe OJ Atogwe.

The new CBA is what’s led to the deals being signed so quickly due to the fact that everything is slotted. I think its very important for the rookies to be signed sealed and delivered before the first mini-camp. You want to get everyone in as soon as possible so they can learn the system and get better. Guys like Wilson and Reuben Randle definitely need to get in as soon as they can, because they will be counted on more than the other rookies. Wilson will be the backup running back and Randle is in the running to be the third wide receiver and with the way the NFL is, you need multiple running backs and multiple wide receivers.

A lot of what the Giants have done has been based off of their drafting. When they beat the New England Patriots the first time, every rookie contributed that season. Last season a mix of undrafted players and draft picks contributed. If the Giants success continues, the draft picks have to do well and it starts with bringing them in on time.

Talley saw an increased role in the UMASS offense every year. This past year, he averaged almost 13 yards a catch. He even ran for two touchdowns. Talley is also a New Jersey kid, from Winslow, which is actually closer to Philadelphia than the Meadowlands. Talley made first team CAA last year after making second team in 2010. Talley had more receptions at UMASS than Cruz did.

Will Talley be the next Cruz? Who knows. First thing Talley has to do is impress in OTA’s and workouts. Then he has to do well in preseason and probably hope for an injury to make the squad, or even the practice squad. The Giants have a lot of numbers at wide receiver, but talent always rises to the top

Look I’ll admit I’ve never seen, him and had never heard of him until the Giants signed him. I don’t exactly watch a lot of CAA football. If he makes it, it will be a fun story and a nice comparison and everyone loves an underdog story, let alone two who play the same position from the same school.

Robinson was drafted by the Giants out of North Dakota State in the second round, 46^th overall, of the 1985 NFL Draft.  He stood 5-11 and possessed amazing speed.  He retired from football in 1991 to pursue a Masters Degree from Farleigh Dickinson University in business administration.  He caught only 48 passes for 749 yards and 7 touchdowns in his career.  His best season came in 1986 when he caught 29 passes for 494 yards and 2 scores.  In Super Bowl XXI against the Denver Broncos, Robinson caught 3 passes for 62 yards including a 36 yard catch from quarterback Phil Simms in the fourth quarter that helped seal the fate of the Broncos.

Robinson’s best game statistically came in Week 13 of the 1986 season against the San Francisco 49ers.  The Giants trailed the 49ers 17-0 at halftime but would come back to win 21-17.  Robinson had 5 catches for a career high 116 yards receiving and 1 touchdown.  His 34-yard touchdown in the third quarter brought the Giants to within 17-14 after Raul Allegre kicked the extra point.  Later, Robinson made a spectacular catch, a 49-yard pass play from Phil Simms that brought the Giants to the 1-yardline of the 49ers and set up the Giants winning touchdown.

After retiring from football, Robinson eventually returned to the game he loved, working for the NFL Players Association mentoring young players about drug and steroid policies and also served as the director of player development.

Stacy Robinson’s career was more than just football.  He is fondly remembered by teammates, young players he mentored, and Giants fans.  Joe Ruback, more famously known among Giants fans and players as the “License Plate Guy,” remembers Robinson for more than his on-field exploits.  When asked what he remembered most about Stacy Robinson, he said, “It was his interaction with fans such as myself at either the team hotel or at Giants Stadium that set him aside.  A sweetheart of a man that was always giving back!”  When asked to describe one of those interactions Mr. Ruback described the last time he saw Mr. Robinson which was at the 25^th reunion of the 1986 Super Bowl Championship team last year at MetLife Stadium.  “I was able to have a great conversation with Stacy,” Mr. Ruback remembered.  “He and I talked about today’s football players and their contracts, the game itself, and his performance in the 1986 Super Bowl.  Not once did he talk about his illness which I didn’t even find out about until after.  We also talked about how he is mentoring players in his job and how much he loved it and the players loved him.”

Stacy Robinson, despite being diagnosed with multiple myeloma, or cancer of the plasma cells in bone marrow, still took players under his tutelage.  That is the kind of man he was.  Stacy Robinson was a giant among Giants and he will be missed.  He is survived by his wife and three sons.

What were the most exciting moments of the 2011 season? Victor Cruz’ 99 yard catch? Jason Pierre-Paul’s blocked kick? Here are the top 10 most exciting moments for the New York Giants last year.

No. 10 – Domenik Hixon’s Circus Catch vs. St Louis Rams

In Week 2 the Giants were on Monday Night Football and Domenik Hixon made a circus bobbling catch at the end of the first half to give the Giants a two point lead. Unfortunately he tore his ACL on the play and had to sit out the rest of the season. He expects to be back at full strength this year and compete for the No. 3 receiver spot.

No. 9 – Victor Cruz Catch and Run for 74 yard Touchdown vs. Dallas Cowboys

In the season finale with the Dallas Cowboys, Victor Cruz got the scoring started with this incredible catch and run. He took a five yard out route 74 yards to the house, outrunning any Cowboys player who attempted to chase after him. The game was for all the marbles, and Cruz’s 178 yard performance proved he was ready for the big time.

No. 8 – Eli Manning Leads Improbable Comeback vs. Arizona Cardinals

This game featured one of the controversial calls of the season. During the Giants final touchdown drive of the quarter, Cruz makes a catch and goes to the ground untouched. He leaves the ball on the ground, and the Cardinals pick it up thinking they recovered a fumble. However, the officials ruled that Cruz “gave himself up” therefore he is considered down. Moments later Eli threw the game winning score to Hakeem Nicks, capping off an incredible come from behind victory. The Giants were down 27-17 with 5:16 remaining.

No. 7 – Victor Cruz’s Incredible One Handed Grab vs. Seattle Seahawks

It’s amazing how many times Cruz is on this list, and could be on it even more times if I was being biased. Although it was in a losing effort, Cruz makes this incredible catch between two defenders as he tips the ball to himself and then reaches out with one hand to secure the catch. He went 68 yards for the score on the play.

No. 6 – Jake Ballard Game-Winning Catch vs. New England Patriots

Jake Ballard officially broke out with his performance against the Patriots in Week 9. He made two incredible catches on the game-winning drive including the touchdown catch with 15 seconds remaining.

No. 5 – Jason Pierre-Paul’s Blocked Kick vs. Dallas

Just one of the many great moments for JPP, this one allowed the Giants to cling to a three-point win at the new Cowboys stadium, at which they’ve never lost. He had an incredible game and this was just the icing on the cake.

No. 4 – Hakeem Nicks Hail Mary Catch in Knocking Off 15-1 Green Bay Packers

Should we create 15-2 shirts? The Packers were basically handed the Super Bowl before the playoffs started, but the Giants had other plans. JPP guaranteed victory, and the Giants came through in the biggest way, knocking off the Packers 37-20. The score should not have been that close. Hakeem Nicks highlighted the game with two incredible touchdown catches, including a hail mary at the end of the first half.

No. 3 – Victor Cruz 99-yard Touchdown Catch vs. New York Jets

Cruz makes the list for a third time with his monumental catch and run against the Jets. With the Giants dead in the water and accomplishing nothing offensively, Cruz put the Giants ahead with a 99-yard catch and run. The Giants had not moved the ball the entire first half, and this put them up 10-7 at halftime.

No. 2 – Mario Manningham Late Game Heroics Super Bowl XLVI

People seem to forget that Manningham made more than just one incredible catch on the final drive of Super Bowl XLVI. He made three catches on the first four plays of the drive, totaling 56 yards. The Giants would not have won the Super Bowl had Manningham not stepped up in the biggest way. It’s a shame the Giants could not afford to keep him.

No. 1 – Eli Manning Late Game Winning Drive in Super Bowl XLVI

Was there any doubt in your mind this is where I was going for No. 1? Eli carried this team on his back all season long, so it was no wonder he would carry them to a Super Bowl with late game heroics…again. With all the pressure on him, Eli was as cool as ever, leading the Giants 88 yards on nine plays. The drive was capped by the strangest game winning touchdown in Super Bowl history.