8/12/08 Excerpt from Giants. com by Michael EIsen:

Amani Toomer is confident the Giants will avoid a post-Super Bowl letdown when the 2008 NFL season opens next month.

Like everyone associated with the team, Toomer is well aware that every time the Giants have played in the Super Bowl, the celebrations have been wonderful, but the hangovers have been brutal. The Giants not only failed to make the playoffs in each of their three previous seasons following a Super Bowl appearance, they didn’t have a winning record. In 1987, the year after their Super Bowl XXI triumph, the Giants were 6-9, though that season was interrupted for a month by a players strike. Four years later, after winning Super Bowl XXV, the Giants were 8-8. In 2001, the season after playing in Super Bowl XXXV, the Giants slipped to 7-9.

Toomer is the only player on the current roster who played in that Super Bowl and was here for the aftermath. He remembers the team’s attitude during the offseason and in training camp, as well as the high expectations from fans and the media. Toomer believes the atmosphere inside and outside the team is significantly better this time around.

“In 2001 we were just going through the motions and the sense of urgency wasn’t there,” the 13-year veteran said during a lunchtime break at the University at Albany. “We went into that year and our training camp was so much easier and we thought we were a lot better than we were.

“It’s different this year. Every time I’ve been on a team that has won there has been a sense of urgency and I feel the sense of urgency here. When I’ve been on a team that thinks we’re really good, we end up doing really bad. I think every team that has been successful has had something to prove and we do. Hopefully, we can keep that edge. We have a lot of people doubting us already. That’s good in a sense, because it’s going to help keep us down to earth.”

Toomer likes the way the Giants have taken care of business in camp. With coach Tom Coughlin constantly prodding them, the players have worked as if they’re trying to make the playoffs for the first time. Though the vast majority of this squad received Super Bowl rings less than three months ago, no one has even hinted at complacency…

 “I think that everyone is competing hard and I think we have a lot of ways to go,” Toomer said. “I don’t think anybody was really happy with the way we played against Detroit (a 13-10 loss), so hopefully we will come out and have a lot better week than we did last week.”

Toomer is excited about the upcoming season, because of the Giants’ work ethic and potential. Not every player would be enthused spending a 13th consecutive August running drills in training camp, but Toomer is just as enthused as the younger receivers he helps tutor. For Toomer, the job remains an adventure.

“It’s always fun because you’re always with a new team, you have to get to know your teammates and stuff like that, so it’s always new,” Toomer said. “You still catch the ball after practice and sit in the ice tub, which is something I don’t really enjoy, but it’s something in camp that you have get used to.” 

8/06/08 Interview with Amani:

Last year Michael Strahan was supposed to be your roommate but he wasn't at camp.  Do you have a roommate this year?

Amani:  Yes, David Tyree is my roommate and I really prefer having a roommate because I like having someone to talk to once in a while.


What personal items did you bring to camp?  We've seen everything from refrigerators to stuffed animals on player arrival day.

Amani:  I brought my computer, several books and that's about it.


Every year you begin camp looking like you're already in mid-season form.  How do you manage that?

Amani:  Well, I always try to stay in good shape but I think it's because I'm always so excited to get back the first  few days of camp.  And I always seem to get a lot of balls early in camp so I can show right from the beginning that I've still got it early on in camp.


You had the first touchdown reception in camp this year and last year.  Are you going to make that a habit?

Amani:  No, I think that just happens.  I don't even think about it.  I think the thing is that I'm good at positioning my body on the deep routes and for some reason early in camp I get a lot of deep balls.  So, that may be the reason but beyond that I don't know.


You look like you're even faster out of your breaks this year.  Is that something you're working on or even aware of?

Amani:  I'm not aware of it but it's something that you're always working on and it has a lot to do with field conditions.  Beyond that I don't really know.


Do you feel fatigued early in camp or is fatigue more of a cumulative effect as the season progresses?

Amani:  I think I'm always fatigued the first few days of camp.  After our first practice, I felt fatigued, especially because the humidity really skyrocketed up then.  I think those very humid days early in camp are the days I find the most fatiguing.  After the first few days though I feel fine and it doesn't matter how humid it gets. 

I think most of us feel the same way the first few days and maybe I get over it more quickly than most because I do a lot of cardio, a lot of cardio.  I try to overtrain for the situation and I really work at my wind.


Despite winning the Super Bowl most of  the national media is overlooking the Giants again this year.  The Cowboys seem to be already annointed despite not winning a playoff game yet with Romo.  Why do you think the Giants get so little recognition?

Amani:  Well, I don't really know but it might have something to do with not being as sexy a team in terms of the different personalities. There's less to write about us than there is with the Cowboys.  Eli doesn't date Jessica, Plax doesn't cry after games and our DBs aren't in the news.


Which team in the NFC East do you think will be the Giants' toughest competition?

Amani:  I don't know.  You know it's funny, a lot of people think because you had a good season the year before, you'll have a good season this year.  That's not really the case.  Every year is different, every little change makes drastic changes on the field so just because a team is the # 1 seed last year it doesn't mean that they'll be the #  1 seed this year.  The Cowboys won one in 1996 and that's it.  If I had to make a prediction, I'd say the Giants.


You mentioned every change having an effect on the field.  That being the case, how significant is the loss of Shockey?

Amani:  I think it's definitely a factor but we've already proven that we can win when he's hurt so I think that makes it less of a big deal than people may think.  I think his being gone just spreads out our attack and when that happens I think our team is just a lot more effective.


A chat room poll recently discussed the Giants most underappreciated players and your name was mentioned.  Do you feel underappreciated?

Amani:  (Laugh).  No, I don't feel underappreciated at all.  I've certainly been well treated by the Giants.   I may have been a little overlooked by the national media and I suppose that does bother me a little bit.  But I try to control the things I can in my life and that's not one of them so I just don't worry about it.

The Fans Speak: 

Question: Amani was excellent in the playoff run last year.  Do you think he will pick up where he left off last season?


Yes, definitely.  He always comes up big in big games.  Amani is the type of player who runs good routes and is always where he’s supposed to be.  I think he’ll have just as big a season as he had last year.  S. H.

Absolutely.  He’ll be better than ever.  He’s like a fine wine; with age it keeps getting better and better and he keeps improving too.  I have supreme confidence that he’ll do well.  F. M.

I think he’ll be better than ever this year.  The Giants have momentum on their side and have proven that they can beat the better teams and they’ll be good to go.  S.P.

I think Amani will stay in the league for 3-4 years and he’ll continue to be productive for another couple of years.  He’ll be just as productive this year.  J. L.

I think he’s in good shape and I don’t see any reason why he can’t keep going.  He’s a veteran savvy guy and you can’t put a price on veteran leadership.  There’s no reason why such an intelligent guy in such good shape can’t play as long as his body holds up.  L. G.

I absolutely do.    He’s one of those guys who proves that professionalism and experience can overcome maybe slowing down a little over the years, though I haven’t seen him slowing down any.  He out ran Dallas pretty good last year.  I have every confidence in Amani.  I love it that he’s come back and you don’t hear about him retiring.  I don’t want to find his replacement so I’m thrilled that he’s back.  R. B.

I think he can because he’s got the heart.  He plays with as much heart as anybody on the team and that’s why I think he’s as good as he is. D. W. E.

No doubt in my mind.  He brings to the table a lot of experience.  He’s a go-to guy and you have to have him on the team.  There’s no doubt in my mind and I go back to the 50’s.  W. L.

I’m glad he didn’t retire like Strahan.  Manning loves throwing to him and he’ll continue to be a great player.  J. L.

Yes, Eli is still here so obviously that hasn’t changed and I don’t think anything will change.  M. F.

Yes, so long as he’s stayed in condition during the off-season and it looks like he has.  Yeah, I think he’ll have another good year.  He spent a portion of year before last out (with an acl injury) and I think that buys you more time.  Even though you’re injured, I think you buy more time further down the road because you’re not taking the pounding consistently.  You’ve had a bit of a breather.  A. F.

Amani Toomer is a consummate professional.  He’s a receiver’s receiver.  He will pick up absolutely where he left off last year.  I’ve watched him in camp and he’s just phenomenal looking.  One year won’t make a difference to that man.

He’s done great; he’s a great pro; he’s always been a great pro.  He’s done a great job for the Giants and I think he has another four or five good years in him.  He’s my favorite player.  G.E.A.

Yes, I do.  He’s still a very good player.  I expect to see a lot out of him this year.  G.C.

He’s older; he’s smarter and he’s in good shape.  He should be able to pick up where he left off last year.  J. C.

I certainly think he’ll pick up where he left off.  He’s got some years left and he proved that against Dallas when he scored a touchdown on the first play of the game.  He showed everybody that he’s still got it. A. M.

Absolutely, Amani Toomer can pick up where he left off.  Not a problem.  He’s great; he loves the game; Eli’s really good with him.  It’s going to be a great year. C.D.

7/29/08 Group Interview with Amani:

Your camp got off to an excellent start.

Amani: It's the only way to do it.  Just get in there and show you can do it from the get-go.


How about that deep ball?

Amani: Eli made a nice throw.  It was up to me to make a play and I made one.


Can you repeat at the Super Bowl?

Amani:  I'm not really thinking abou that.  I'm just thinking about getting my body in shape and ready to go.  Hopefully our team will come together and we'll keep the momentum going.  We'll focus on what we have to do to get the team together.


You've been coming here a lot of years and a lot of familiar faces are gone.

Amani:  It's sad to see people go but it's part of the business.  I've been around for a while and people have come and gone.  Luckily I've been able to stay around. And I hope to stay around a while longer, not  only to repeat but also to meet new people.


What are you most curious about this camp with this group?

Amani:  I guess whether we can harness what we did in the playoffs and Super Bowl and extend it through this whole season.  That's the challenge for us; we know we have the players in place.  We realize we're missing a few pieces but the majority are still here.  I think if we get our mojo back, we have the team, the teamwork and the emphasis to make another run.  We've seen what we can do and now we have to see if we can do it again.


What do you expect from yourself?

Amani:  What can I say?  I'm doing what I enjoy and want to do it to the best of my ability.  I'm happy doing this and want to continue to enjoy it.


How long will you play?

Amani:  As long as I can play at a high level.


Do you think Eli will be able to avoid the ups and downs in the future?

Amani:  Ups and downs are part of the game but ever since he's been here I've been impressed with him.  He's a really good quarterback.  People want to focus on the negatives even though he took the team to the playoffs three years in a row.  He's handled everything on an even keel

7/25/08 Group Interview with Amani:

Your first few years in the league were similar to Sinorice Moss’. Do you ever talk to him about the light at the end of the tunnel”?

Amani: Yeah…he got hurt early on, just like I did, and missed a lot playing time his rookie year because of it…it’s a very similar story. I think that he has a lot of potential, and I think that he’s working real hard. Personally, I think that he is going to pan out.


I would imagine that a lot more goes into a being receiver than people think…it’s not just run ten yards, take a left, and catch the ball. Is that why it’s hard to pick up the offense sometimes?

Amani: Well, yeah, there are a lot of different reads you have to do. A lot of it is just the quarterback starting to feel comfortable with you…knowing that you’re going to be in the right spot at the right time, and when you are in the right spot, that you’re going to come down with the ball.


It looks like he’s buried on the depth chart, is his head still in it?

Amani: Yeah, I don’t really think he is discouraged at all. I think he knows what he was brought here to do as a player. He knows all that he is capable of doing...his overall ability.


Mario Manningham said that he was seeking out advice from you. What do you see in the kid? What have you told him?

Amani: He has some real quickness and a lot of ability. It’s going to take time for him to get the pro game, coming from the Michigan offense. I know from experience that it’s not always up to date...learning the pro game is a little difficult coming from that kind of situation. Hopefully, he’ll pick it up pretty quickly.


What specifically have you told him so far?

Amani: Just little tips about releasing and stuff like that, because he has a lot of natural quickness.


There were a lot of questions coming in about his mental makeup. What do you see from him about his personality?

Amani: He’s a quiet guy, just gets his work done… doesn’t say too much. I really don’t have a read on him just yet, it’s only been a couple of days.

Are you ready for it all to begin again or does it seem like last season just ended?

Amani:  I’m ready to begin again.  I just need to get in a little better shape and I’ll be fine.  When we were on vacation, it wasn’t possible for me to run every day; there just wasn’t an area in which to run.  So, though I wanted to run more, I probably only averaged every other day.


Are you bringing your Super Bowl ring to Albany?

Amani:  No, there’s no safe in our dorm rooms so I wouldn’t want to risk losing it but I imagine some guys will have it with them.


How much do you think the loss of Michael Strahan will negatively affect the Giants?

Amani:  I don’t know exactly but he did a lot for the team.  I don’t think people realize how much he did.  Some of it was little stuff, like keeping teammates up while we were on the road.  Besides holding the record for single-season sacks, I definitely think he was still the best run stopping end in the business.  It’s going to be tough.


Dissention and holdouts for more money seem to be a given following a Super Bowl victory.  Do you feel this is a factor in so many teams failing to repeat? 

Amani:  Yeah, I think so. Originally it’s a team thing and later everyone gets to thinking, “I was the reason we won.”  So players get to expect more money especially since in the past teams have awarded more money after a successful Super Bowl.  I think it just about always happens.  The whole business is weird in one sense.  It’s a team game but some individuals make more than other individuals.


How would you feel about limiting veterans with more than ten years in the league to one-a-day practices at camp?  Does that seem like a good or bad idea and how would you personally feel about it?

Amani:  I don’t think it would be bad.  In fact, I think long-term it might be a good idea. For others I suppose doing it for so many years, it might get kind of boring but for myself, I want to do what I can. I hope that I can practice twice a day but I also realize that way I’m taking reps away from the younger guys.


We’ve already talked a little about the “no force out” rule but you’re known for your toe tap ability on the sideline and back of the end zone.  How much do you think your ability to toe-tap and remain in bounds will be impacted by this new rule?

Amani: I think it will be impacted.  I think the no force out rule is a little unsafe because I think receivers are possibly going to get thrown out of bounds or thrown on the ground.  It’s going to be pretty hairy out there, I think.


The game has had a lot of rule changes in recent years.  Are there some that stand out in your mind as either particularly aiding or making the receiver position more difficult?

Amani:  I think the definition of a catch using the instant replay has made making a catch a lot harder.  I mean, you can have the ball in your possession and if you fall down and the ball gets away from you, it’s a drop.  Then there’s the football move and these rules are left up to personal interpretation.  That’s what I think makes it kind of difficult.  But you know what I think is the worst?  That’s not enforcing the cutoff rule.  You know when I first came into the league, you couldn’t touch a receiver beyond the five-yard limit or you’d get a flag.  That enabled the receivers to do a lot more but now they don’t really enforce the five-yard rule.  I don’t know why that has happened but they just stopped calling it.


The owner’s unanimously opted out of the collective bargaining agreement and Kevin Mahwe on behalf of the NFLPA said that the rookie salary paid to quarterback Matt Ryan was “distressing.”  Do you feel that the money expended on rookie contracts should be curtailed in order to have more funds available for the established veterans?

Amani:  Theoretically that would make sense but that’s just the game.  The game is what it is.  The older guys who played years ago not getting enough is bad but the money always goes up.  I mean when I came into the league, I made a lot more money than the guys that came before me and the veterans were upset about that.  But maybe it has gotten a little out of whack.  I think the first round rookie money has gotten kind of crazy but no one says you have to pay this much to a rookie. They really haven’t proven anything yet on the field but I also remember that I got a lot of money before I proved anything on the field. So really I don’t know what to say about it because it doesn’t bother me either way though I will add that a rookie shouldn’t come in and be the highest paid player in the league.

Training camp 2008

As always, I want to invite you to join us in Albany for the Giants’ 2008 training camp as we embark on our quest to repeat as Super Bowl champions.

Practice begins on 7/25 and we’ll break camp at Albany on 8/17.  After that we’ll return to Giants’ stadium for practices.

For those of you who have never attended a practice in Albany, I think you’ll find it a pleasant experience. 

There’s plenty of opportunity for fans to collect autographs along “autograph alley” immediately following each practice and benches under shade trees to protect you from the hot sun during practices.

Many fans that I’ve talked to plan to come only once but have such a good time that they return for a day or even longer every year.

There are a number of reasonably priced accommodations and restaurants near the practice field.

So, please come join us and root us on just as you’ve always done and hopefully your continued support will help to put us over the top again this year.

Amani

4/30/08 Excerpts from The Giants Visit the White House by Michael Eisen:

WASHINGTON – President Bush lauded the NFL champion Giants today, calling their Super Bowl XLII triumph over the New England Patriots, “one of the great, legendary games in our country’s history.”

Bush made his remarks at a 30-minute ceremony to honor the 2007 Giants on the South Lawn of the White House that capped an incredible day for the organization. Approximately 40 players, the coaching staff and members of the front office visited with wounded soldiers and Marines at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The group received a private tour of the White House, then a standing ovation at the ceremony, which was also attended by Vice President Cheney, members of New Jersey and New York’s congressional delegation, and approximately 1,000 Giants fans, who cheered wildly as the champions took their positions for the ceremony and were feted by the president.

Prior to the ceremony, Bush met privately in the Rose Garden with Ann Mara, Wellington Mara’s widow; Giants president John Mara; Joan Tisch, the widow of Bob Tisch; Giants chairman Steve Tisch; general manager Jerry Reese; head coach Tom Coughlin; quarterback Eli Manning; wide receiver Amani Toomer – the senior player on the trip; and Greg Gadson, the U.S. Army lieutenant colonel who lost both legs in Iraq and became an inspirational figure for the champion Giants…

“I was in a place I never thought I’d be my whole entire life,” Toomer said. “You see it on T.V. and it’s weird to be there. The history of the White House and the different rooms we were in, I thought that was pretty cool…”

After the ceremony concluded, Toomer then presented our 43rd president with a white Giants No. 43 jersey. Manning then stepped forward to give him a Super Bowl football signed by the entire team.

“When you place this ball in your trophy case and you pass by this ball, we would ask hopefully that you would reflect on the accomplishments on this great group of young men,” Coughlin said, “a group of men who believed in themselves, who refused to be beaten and brought greater honor and glory to the great game of professional football…”

For all the Giants, it was a remarkable day they will never forget. Coughlin summarized it best when he said, “I hope it’s not a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

4/19/08 E-mails to Amani

We have just discovered that, due to a system malfunction, we lost a number of fan e-mails to Amani's site.  We're in the process of trying to retrieve as many as possible.  Please accept our apologies and bear with us a little longer.

Your e-mails are very important to Amani.

Web master

Top Michigan Players in the 2008 Draft

By Gail Bahr

As it does every year, Michigan is sending some of its best to the NFL.  Players who are expected to go high in the 2008 draft are:

Quarterback Chad Henne, 6-3, 230, c. 4.9
For his career, Henne has a 59.7 % completion rate with 87 TDs and 37 PICs.   In 2007 completion rate was 58.3% after throwing 17 TDs with nine PICs.    Holds the school record for career completions, attempts, passing yards and TDs.  Henne took Michigan to the Rose Bowl as a freshman.
Henne played below his previous level in 2007 largely because of a knee injury incurred in the opening game against Appalachian State. Excellent experience, four-year starter. Has a strong arm and makes all the throws. Gets good velocity on throws. Knows when to take something off the ball. Throws a catchable ball and generally leads receivers.   Reads defenses very well. Has a quick release and generally sound mechanics. Generally demonstrates good footwork. Will step into the blitz and deliver the ball under pressure and over the years has become poised under pressure. Accurate and can throw on the move. Good touch. Tough, will throw some nice blocks to assist his runners. Plays hurt and keeps battling.
Capital One Bowl: A now healthy Henne had his career day, passing for over 373 yards with three touchdowns and two turnovers, giving Lloyd Carr a nice sendoff. Very poised under pressure.
Senior Bowl: One of the players who helped himself the most in practices and finished the game with two touchdowns and the MVP award.  Showed he can throw the deep outs effortlessly and with good velocity. Didn’t try to force the ball and was the most accurate quarterback in attendance. On game day he was composed in the pocket and delivered the ball accurately.
Combine: Threw with good velocity, good touch, led receivers and was generally accurate. Overall a successful combine for Henne.

Offensive tackle Jake Long, 6-7, 313, c. 5. 17
Three-time All-American, All-PAC-10 for the third consecutive year in 07.  Semi-finalist for the 2007 Lombardi Award.
Has excellent experience at both RT and LT.  The next in a long line of solid Michigan tackles.  Works to improve and is a team captain.  Was expected to come out last year but opted to remain in school.  Intelligent with a strong work ethic.   Has long arms and big hands.  Gave up one sack with no penalties in 2007.  Great size and good mobility.  Has quick feet for left tackle and strength for the right side. Good athlete with top power, a strong hand pop and explosiveness at the snap. Sets up quickly and can get to the second level where he shows some quickness in space. Reads defenses quickly and blocks and adjusts quickly on the move with good range.   Has made a number of key blocks downfield and rarely fails to finish blocks.  Strong with very good leg drive and is able to move the pile and open holes in the run game. Sound in pass protection. Very good overall technique, bends knees effectively and can engulf defenders with a combination of technique and strength.  
Long is generally considered to be a top five pick and it’s thought that he may go to the Miami Dolphins with the first pick in the 2008 draft.
Capitol One Bowl: Put on a clinic demonstrating excellent technique.

Running back Mike Hart, 5-9, 206, c. 4.67, PD. DNR
Very productive and competitive. Against E. Michigan Hart ran for 215 yards and the Wolverine's franchise rushing record.  Against Purdue, in the first half, he set the school record with his seventh consecutive 100+ yard game.  Finished career with more than 5000 yards rushing and had 993 consecutive touches without a fumble.
More quick than fast but runs faster than he times and puts up consistent yards.  Workhorse, runs hard and can handle a lot of carries. Great balance and vision with good footwork. Exceptional ball security.  Patient, waits for blocks to develop and then hits the hole quickly.  Instinctive with ability to cut back with good quickness and acceleration after the cut.   Tough and strong between the tackles and can get to the outside quickly.  Maintains a good pad level and has a strong leg drive.  Keeps legs moving on contact and picks up extra yards. Can make defenders miss. Doesn’t break a lot of long runs but can turn short yardage into a first down.  Can catch and is a strong, good blocker for size. Good blitz pickup and seems to enjoy blocking.
Capital One Bowl:  Finished with 32 carries for 129 yards and two scores.

Wide receiver:  Mario Manningham, 5-11 ¾, 181, c. 4.59, 4.62, PD. 4. 38 and 4.44
Junior entry. Second team All-American.  Caught 72 passes for 1174 yards and 12 TDs in ‘07.  He also rushed 19 times for 119 yards and a score. Top athleticism, quickness and a very fluid burst.  Very fast, his pro day numbers are more reflective of his on-field speed than the combine times.   Playmaker who can be hard to stop.  Can get up for the ball and adjust in the air with some very agile body maneuvers. Can adjust to the poorly thrown ball or come back for the ball when he sees the quarterback is in trouble.  Effortlessly tracks the ball over his shoulder and catches without breaking stride.  Fluid and quick in and out of breaks.  Gets separation and yards after the catch. Showed very good body control in the toe-tap sideline drill at the combine. Consistent.

Outside linebacker Shawn Crable,  6-4, 245, C. 4.64
Butkus and Bednarik Award semifinalist and Bronco Nagurski Trophy candidate in ‘07. Led the Big Ten and was second nationally with a school record 28.5 tackles for loss.  Finished with 16 sacks, 7.5 of which were in ‘07.  He had two fumble recoveries and broke up nine passes for his career.
Got his first start vs. Vanderbilt in 2006. Productive and plays with a good motor. Athletic with long limbs.  Agile and quick with very good speed and explosiveness. Makes a lot of tackles behind the line of scrimmage using both power and speed. Has sideline-to-sideline range. Sufficient overall strength with great upper body strength. Gets into opponents’ backfield and blows up the running play.  Can drop into coverage. Plays hard, gives pursuit and had a very good 2007 season.  Good on special teams.
Capitol One Bowl:  Really stood out, very active throughout getting good pressure on Florida State QB Ted Tebow.

Safety Jamar Adams, 6-2, 212, C 4.56 Bednarik Award candidate, Jim Thorpe Award candidate, Lott Trophy candidate, led the team with a career-high 92 tackles and a career best 13 PBUs in 2007.  Finished with 6.5 TFL with two sacks, four INTs (three of which were in ‘07) and 22PBUs.Experienced starter who had his breakout season as a junior and continued to improve last year. Team leader and said to be a very hard worker and to understand the nuances of the game.   Long limbed athlete who has batted down a lot of balls. Explosive with good speed and quickness for the position. Agile with good body control and acceleration ability.  Very strong with good range.  Will fight for the ball in the air and can get terrific height on his jumps.  Makes plays sideline-to-sideline.  Aggressive and tough in run defense.  Drives on the ball quickly and gets through traffic well. Good hitter and generally a wrap up tackler. Senior Bowl: Injured in practice.

4/10/08 Excerpts from Giants.com by Michael Eisen:

He finally has his long-awaited championship, he holds almost every important Giants receiving record and he’s been hit who knows how many times in his career. But Amani Toomer is ready for more.

In 2007, Toomer came back from knee surgery the previous year to have another outstanding season. He caught 59 passes in the regular season and was the Giants’ leading receiver in their four-game postseason. After 620 catches, 8,917 yards and 50 touchdowns – plus franchise postseason records in each of those categories - no one would have questioned Toomer had he taken his championship ring and ran a fade pattern away from the Giants and the NFL.

“I never felt that way,” Toomer said. “I don’t know, I just haven’t felt that way. I don’t feel like I have had enough here. I know when I feel like I have had enough I will have had enough, but I don’t think I have had enough”…

“It seems like I came full circle,” he said. “When I first got here we weren’t very good and there was not much buzz about the Giants. Then we had some success my second year and it started to feel really, really good to be around here. We had a couple of slumping years and it has been up and down. Now to finally get to the top with a Super Bowl win – it is just good to see how excited the town really gets over this team.

“I think most people took the Super Bowl to such a personal level because we came from so far behind. We didn’t have the perfect season, but we came together at the end and that is how people who followed us kind of saw it. It became a more personal thing, because not everybody was on our bandwagon. Our people were very loyal and it paid off for them.” 

Toomer made a huge contribution to the cause with team-leading totals of 21 catches, 280 yards and three touchdowns in the Giants’ four-game postseason. He opened the playoffs with seven receptions for 71 yards and a score at Tampa Bay. The next week he scored a pair of touchdowns at Dallas. Toomer caught four passes in the NFC Championship Game in Green Bay and was the team’s leading receiver in the Super Bowl with six receptions for 84 yards, including two big catches on the game-winning drive.

“I just feel like that is type of player that I am - I am going to always find a way to do something,” Toomer said. “That is the only way I can have it. If I didn’t contribute as much as I did and lead the team in receiving in the playoffs, I wouldn’t have felt right. I feel like I am a guy that is always there and when the money is on the line I am going to be there to perform.”

4/08/08 Interview with Amani:

The strength and conditioning program has already started.  Did you feel like you had enough time off? Were you ready to start all over again after such a short break?

Amani:  It was a short time but I wanted to get started.  One other year I remember we started later, in April, and I didn’t think we were ready when the pre-season began.  I think we’re all anxious to get going because we want to prove that we can do it again.  And I think everyone is willing and excited to work toward that.


Did you have an opportunity to take a vacation before it all began again?

Amani:  Yes, we went with a group of doctors to Ghana.  They’re a group who perform eye surgery in countries where there are limited services.  It was great to be able to be a part of that.  I was basically just a gopher.  I went to the store to get supplies or do whatever else I could do.  I sure can’t perform eye surgery so I helped however I could. As a matter of fact, I had dinner with one of the doctors and his family last Friday evening.  He’s Jewish so it was the start of the Sabbath and we got to be a part of the Sabbath ceremony.  It was great to be able to participate.  I mean we didn’t know Hebrew of course so we couldn’t participate that way but it was wonderful to experience and learn something about a different tradition. After dinner I played ping-pong with the doctor’s son.  I told the son that I can’t just play for fun; I’m always very competitive.  But he wanted to beat me so we played until I won 4-3.  He’s actually pretty good.


You’re to fly down to Washington to accept President Bush’s congratulations for winning the Super Bowl later this month.  Have you ever visited the White House before on a tour?  Are you excited about the trip?

Amani:  No, I have never been to the White House and I’m not even sure when we’re supposed to go.  It will be exciting.  I have a great deal of respect for the office of the President of the United States.


Have you seen the design of your Super Bowl ring yet?

Amani:  Yeah, I really like it.


It’s unusual for a Super Bowl winner to repeat the next year, maybe in part because of the after-glow with players becoming complaisant and perhaps thinking they’re better than they are, and in part because the winners usually lose a lot of players in free agency. Would you agree and do you think there are other reasons as well?

Amani:  Well, I do think we lost some good players in free agency and that will hurt but I don’t think anyone is complaisant.  It took us too long to get here for one thing. It’s such an overwhelming feeling to win a Super Bowl!  And that parade was just awesome. I really can’t describe it but it was such an incredible feeling. It’s just amazing to see two million people lined up along the street to cheer you.  It’s impossible to really describe the feeling but it was overwhelming and I know I’ll never forget it.  I also know I want that experience again and I’m sure the rest of the team does too. We went to a club to meet some other Giants’ players recently and we were all talking and could hear people saying, “Those are the Giants.”  And then Eli walked in.  He actually got a standing ovation when he came through the door. It was great!  The whole experience has been so wonderful, I want to experience it again and again and again.  And I’m sure the rest of the team feels the same and is willing to work to get there.


How do the Giants chances to repeat look to you?

Amani:  Good, I think because everyone has such a good attitude and understands that it isn’t something that just happens.  I’ve been re-watching the games and there were some we should have won and some games in which we were fortunate.


You and the other veterans know how hard it is to get to the Super Bowl but the Giants had a lot of rookies participating last year.  Do you think they’ll expect to go every year?

Amani:  No, I don’t think so. I think they understand what a rare event it is for a team to get to the Super Bowl and win it once, let alone repeat.  And I think in New York the fans are optimistic and believe we’re a good team but overall I don’t think we still get much respect. I think we’ll need to repeat to gain the respect of the rest of the country. When the Patriots won their first Super Bowl, everyone said what a great team they were but outside of New York I don’t hear that the Giants are great. From what I’ve read, everyone thinks the Cowboys will win the division next season.  They are a good team and we’re very well matched but we beat them when it counted and I think we need to show that we can do it again. And then again.

Is that who you see as the Giants toughest competition for the division title in 2008?

Amani:  You never can really tell but they’re a very good team.  They won’t catch anyone by surprise this year and the Eagles also came on near the end of the year so they can’t be ruled out.  But it’s really too early to tell; there are surprises every year.

A recent rule change at the owner’s meeting eliminated the force out.  What do you think of the rule change?

Amani:  I thought the old rule was a good one. I didn’t think anything was broken so I’m not sure why it was fixed.  When a receiver goes up in the air for the ball under the new rule, I think opponents will try to throw him out of bounds and I’m afraid of increased injuries because a receiver is so vulnerable at that moment.  I’m afraid more receivers will be carried off the field on stretchers.

Click Fan Q/A to checkout submitted questions.

Send your questions to Amani at comments@amanitoomer.com.