GIANT NOTESPhillippi Sparks does not know how his pulled groin will respond in practice this week. He does not know how close to full speed he will get.
But he does know this: He’s under intense pressure to get well and get back on the field.
“It’s pressure, and it’s going to be hard to deal with,” the Giant cornerback said yesterday. “I’ve got to know physically I’m able to do something, and mentally just as well. That means I’ve got to work even harder. It’s a give and take. Hopefully I’ll be OK. They need me.”
“Need” is an understatement. With Jason Sehorn lost for the season with a broken left leg, Sparks is the Giants’ only proven corner. The carnage at that position has been devastating, with Conrad Hamilton, Andre Weathers, Shaun Williams (as the nickel corner) and now Sehorn going down.
“I’ve never seen in my career so many people have such bad luck with injuries,” said Sparks, who has missed two consecutive games and estimates he’s only operating at 70 percent effectiveness.
The alternatives are not inviting. Emmanuel McDaniel, a free agent who has never started in the NFL, and veteran Jeremy Lincoln are waiting in the wings, along with rookie Bashir Levingston, who primarily is a kick returner.
Williams is expected back after missing five games with a severely pulled hamstring. McDaniel, Lincoln and Levingston played extensively against the Jets, and things got so bad that Brandon Sanders, a reserve safety, was used as the nickel cornerback, a spot he’s never played.
“They did a tremendous job,” Sparks said. “The no-name defensive backs have positioned themselves to have a name now.”
The Giants’ offense is now ranked 18th in the league overall and 12th in passing. The Giants haven’t finished as high as 12th in the league in passing since 1987, and haven’t been higher than 22nd overall since 1988.
Giants put FB Charles Way (knee) on IR and waived S Tre Thomas. They will add a DB later this week … Coach Jim Fassel estimated C Brian Williams (sprained knee) will be out three weeks and that CB Conrad Hamilton (knee) will miss the entire season. …
Amani Toomer’s 181 yards were the most by a Giant receiver since Homer Jones had 196 in a 38-34 loss to the Redskins in 1967.