GIANT NOTES
Linebacker Barrett Green underwent arthroscopic surgery Friday to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. That procedure went well, but the prognosis wasn’t all good, as Green was surprised and dismayed that day to learn he also has a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament.
“That kind of finished it off, kind of disappointing to hear that news,” Green said yesterday.
This could have repercussions for next season. A fully torn ACL requires reconstructive surgery and requires at least a nine-month recovery. Green has been advised by the Giants medical staff to have surgery. Green said he received a second opinion, from Dr. John Uribe at the University of Miami, who suggested he not have surgery but instead prescribed rest to allow the scar tissue to heal. Green today travels to Alabama to consult with Dr. James Andrews for a third opinion.
“I’ll make a decision over the holidays,” Green said.
It’s been a bad first season with the Giants for Green, who played in only 10 games and says he hasn’t been healthy since the Halloween game in Minnesota. Green has also run afoul of Tom Coughlin several times for lateness. A free-agent addition from the Lions, Green signed a five-year, $13.25 million contract to replace Dhani Jones as the starting weak-side linebacker.
“There’s no doubt in my mind I can play on this team for coach Coughlin, we had our bumps in the road this year but I think it made us stronger and hopefully it will pay off next year,” Green said. “We both have a mutual understanding with each other. I think it’s both our obligation to comply and everything will be merry.”
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The Pro Bowl spots are announced today. RB Tiki Barber is the only Giants candidate and will likely be named to his first Pro Bowl . . . It appears as if DT Norman Hand (groin), S Gibril Wilson (neck burner), WR Jamaar Taylor (thigh) and G Chris Snee (glandular infection) all are through for the remainder of the season. All are out this week. Snee probably has the best chance to make it back for the season-ender vs. the Cowboys.
Kurt Warner won the fourth annual George Young Good Guy Award, presented by the Giants chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America. The honor is bestowed on the player deemed to be most cooperative with the media. CB Will Allen finished second in the voting. Previous winners were Lomas Brown, Kerry Collins and Ike Hilliard.